With 2010 coming to a close, and 2011 now here, I think it’s appropriate to look back on the year and see where it has taken us. Whew! It’s been a whirlwind! In case you've forgotten, here’s the recap:
Camden
Camden started the year as a 2 ½ year old full of spirit and attitude. Oh wait, that hasn’t changed except now she’s a 3 ½ year old full of spirit and attitude. She’s been involved in gymnastics this year which has been really fun for her. And has given Mommy and Daddy a taste of what’s to come in the next few years as she enters the realm of organized sports. We can’t wait!
Camden has her pre-school open house tomorrow and registration in just a few weeks. How can my baby be old enough to even think about Pre-school? I’m not sure where the last 3 ½ years have gone?!? I can’t think about it or my eyes fill with tears! Next topic…
This was definitely a precursor to what we would see over the next year. Camden and Kade play together very well…when they want to, but they also fight like crazy. They are both very determined little children and neither one wants to give in. I think we need to create a new rule in the Wilson house – everything we have should come in multiples of 2 so they never have to fight over who gets something. Or they could both learn to share better. That would probably be easier, huh? I suddenly know how my parents felt raising a boy and girl who were almost exactly 2 years apart…Sorry Mom and Dad!
Kade
Kade began 2010 as a 4 month old baby that couldn’t sit up on his own. He then went to crawling, walking and now running in a matter of a year. He’s also talking quite a bit too. Some of his favorite things to say are “here you go” when he gives you something and “thank you” when you give him something. He also has names for everyone in the family—Mommy, Daddy, Sunny and Sissy (apparently that comes out easier than Camden). Every ball is a baseball to him. And I’ve never seen anything as cute as Kade telling you what sound an owl makes!
He can point out where most of his body parts are—head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, belly button, feet, etc. He is also learning where Time Out is. He is definitely more defiant than Camden was at that age. If we tell him “no”, he thinks that means “do it again only this time flash my cute smile so mom and dad can’t be mad”.
Jobs
Derek and I both changed jobs in 2010. We are both still with Wells Fargo, but in different Business Lines and different positions. And for about 3 months we were actually in the same building. However, that didn’t mean I saw him anymore. With 5,000 team members in that building, we managed to only run into each other a few times.
In March I switched from Home and Consumer Finance Group to Corporate HR. I took a position as a Business Systems Consultant in Enterprise Learning. I LOVE the new position. It challenges me daily and I really like that!
Derek left Wells Fargo Financial right before it closed down to go to Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (great timing!). He took a new position as a VP, Lending Officer working with federal and internal audits. He seems very happy with his decision to change positions as well.
One thing that the new roles have brought is some travel. We’ve both had to adjust to being a single-parent for a week at a time occasionally. Between the two of us over the last 6 months, we’ve been to Charlotte 3 times (Cherri twice, Derek once), San Francisco once (Cherri) and Phoenix once (Derek). There will be more of it in 2011 but hopefully not quite as much.
House
This is one area of our life I think I’d rather not reflect back on how 2010 has been. Or, I’d just like 2011 to look a heckuva lot different. The drama started in April when we put our house on the market for the first time. After a short 3 months we received an offer and accepted it. In the meantime we met with a builder, decided on a floorplan and found a lot we wanted to build on. Seven days from closing, we found out there was some trouble with the buyers coming up with their money. Two days before we were supposed to move out, we found out we likely wouldn’t close.
We already had 90% of our house packed up, a POD filled to the brim with our belongings we could live without for the next 3 months while we build, and a rental contract signed in Adel. So, in September, we put our house back on the market with hopes that it would sell quickly and we could still go forward with our plan. Luckily we had not started the building process yet thanks to my conservative husband (Love you, honey!). As winter approached we began to see that it wasn’t likely so we were able to get out of our rental contract after 3 months. Our house is still mostly packed up and we are hopeful that a new year will bring some lucky buyers to our home!
We did go ahead and purchase our dream lot in Adel so as soon as we sign closing papers we can dig a hole and start building our dream home. The lot is just north of Adel at the River Valley Golf community. It’s just over an acre and has a gorgeous view of a driving range and the Raccoon River valley out of what will someday be our backdoor.
Highlights
All in all 2010 has been a great year full of wonderful family memories and time spent with the people we love the most. In May we became and aunt and uncle (for the 3rd time!) to a new niece Reagan.
Lowlights
I did lose my sweet grandpa in 2010 but I can look back and be thankful for the wonderful memories I have with him. And know that he had a wonderful 88 years on this earth and left a lot of dear friends.
Health
While it seems like we’ve spent more money on co-insurance than I’d like to remember the past few years, I am thankful that we are all healthy at the end of the year. In May, Kade had surgery to repair his hypospadias. The surgery went well and recovery was fairly quick. Camden started off the first business day of 2011 with round two of ear tubes. Hopefully this isn’t a sign of what 2011 will bring in regards to health!
Looking forward to 2011
We have big plans for 2011 and we hope it doesn’t disappoint! Over MLK weekend in January we are going to hit up a waterpark with the Janes and Rachuts. We’ve got a trip booked to Vegas in February with the Blessingtons and are very excited for the warm (does 60s count as warm?) winter get-away and our first real vacation since before we had children. Hopefully we’ll have a house closing/move somewhere during this spring—keep your fingers crossed for us! The summer will bring 2nd and 4th birthdays for our babies. I’m sure it will feel like a flash and in no time we’ll be reflecting back on 2011. Here’s to slowing down and savoring the moments that 2011 has in store for us. We have been blessed beyond words!
1 comment:
Wonderful way to end the year, with your review of it. I am happy you put Grandpas picture on there. I appreciate your though fullness.
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