Over the last few weeks I have been thinking about the past year, about the ups and downs, about the moments of joy and the moments of sorrow and I decided to compose a blog entry documenting the moments of 2011 that I will never forget. Not all of them are happy moments, but each has impacted my life. Some have made me smile, others have made me laugh, and others have made me weep.
Undeniably the most amazing thing that we experienced in 2011 was the birth of our 3rd child and 2nd daughter...Brooklynn Ray Hilliard. She entered the world on March 25th early in the afternoon. She weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 21 inches long. She had beautiful blue eyes and was(and still is) as bald as her daddy. She was breath taking. I love every inch of her little squishy body. On Christmas she will have spent 9 months in our lives and has completely captured everyone's heart. She is active, loud(something that runs in our family) and she fully intends on destroying anything the big kids leave where she can get it. She has separation anxiety and believes the best place to be is in mommas arms. I wake up every morning to her sweet talk and thank the Lord above for giving us such an amazing gift.
THE DALLAS MAVERICKS WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!!! By far the best sports moment in 2011 and in sports history (followed very close by my sweet babies soccer games). I have dreamed of this moment ever since the tragic 2006 championship round against the Heat. I cheered, screamed, got frustrated, and yes, I shed a tear. It was an amazing moment to watch them get the trophy they have been working so hard to capture. I love my Dallas Mavericks!!
One of the greatest learning moments of 2011 happened when Preslee really began reading. She has been reading here and there for a year or so, but she finally had her "ah ha" moment where everything clicked. This took place right at the end of Kindergarten and around the time we had Brooklynn...so about March. It has been so sweet to sit and listen to her read and discover a whole new world with words and stories. It has also had its frustrating moments....such as not being able to spell things to Jason anymore in order to keep the kids from knowing what we are discussing. The joys of parenthood! It is a blessing to see your child grow and learn.
The most sorrow filled and tragic moment of 2011 for my family was the loss of my Uncle Butch. At the young age of 52 Marlin Wylie Lewis was taken from the Earth. He was the only son to my Grandmother and brother to 3 older sisters. He had 4 nieces and nephews and a hand full of great nieces and nephews. There are so many memories of my Uncle I could share with you in this blog, but one of my favorites has to be when I was a young girl. It was Christmas time and Uncle Butch always gave the best gifts. He loved the holidays and all the family being together. We were packed tight in my grandmothers house and it was time to open gifts the moment each of us kids had been waiting for all day. Uncle Butch handed me my gift and to this day I will always remember the beautiful pink boots that lay inside the box. I don't remember a lot of the gifts I was given as I child, but I will always remember those pink boots. Another favorite time of the year with my Uncle was the 4th of July....he dearly loved celebrating with the whole family. He spent hundreds of dollars on huge fireworks and made an amazing fire works display every year for our family. The fourth won't be the same without him. It will be a constant reminder of the loved one we have lost. While we can smile about the memories we once shared with him we are forever saddened by the loss of his life. Just last night my daughter and I were laying in bed chatting before she went to sleep and she looked at me and said, "I miss Uncle Butch." I looked at her and all I could say was, "I miss Uncle Butch, too." We spent a moment crying and then a long time sharing memories of our super great Uncle. Preslee shared that she loved how Uncle Butch was so funny and how he always made sure and tell her bye. Also she would never forget all the times he took all the kids out to see the cows on the mule. He was so very loved and is so very missed.
Best money spent in 2011 was on my Kindle. I must admit publicly that I was a huge skeptic of the new reading devices. I am a huge bookstore and book lover. I think there is nothing better than sitting down with a new book on a overstuffed chair with a cup of joe. I love the feel of a book in my hand and the fresh smell of a new book. I have to also admit though...my eyes have been open and my opinion changed. The purchase my Kindle has changed my life. I can't imagine not having it now. There is nothing better than having a new book the minute I want it. Some of you may not understand what it is like to live in a small town in the middle of nothing...you can't run and get a new book anytime you want...the Kindle has changed all that for me. Thank you amazon for bring the Kindle into my life.
My sweet Mom took Preslee, Spencer, and me on a fabulous trip to Sea World. It is a trip that I will always remember and cherish. We never know how long we have with our loved ones and it was so fabulous to get to spend time with my children and my momma. I loved the moments where I just got to sit back and watch my mom enjoy my children and my children enjoy my mom. I always say Grandmothers are mom's with extra frosting. The group of us spent 2 full days at Sea World. We experienced shows, water rides, regular rides, food, drinks, lots of walking, bathroom trips, and above all we got to see Shamu. It was an awesome experience and I am so thankful I was able to be apart of it. (A special thanks to my mother in law and husband for letting me go and watching my sweet baby).
My husband and and I shared our 9th anniversary in September of 2011. I am so grateful he has put up with me for 9 years. It was just the other day we were riding in the car and I said to him, "Did you ever feel the 7 year itch so many couples talk about?" He looked at me and said,"Who had time to feel the 7 year itch in our life." We have our hands full with 3 small children and a life of ministry. Praise God for each and every moment we have together. I can't even think of what my life would be without him. The picture below is from our first Christmas as a married couple. I love him so much more today then I did then.
I celebrated my last birthday before I turn 30. I am thankful to the Lord for allowing me 29 years on this Earth and for each and every blessing I have been given during this time. For my birthday this year my children made me a cake and banner. Both so sweet and thoughtful. I couldn't be more blessed.
All in all 2011 was another wonderful year. We have been blessed more than we deserve. I pray each of you have a very Merry Christmas. Full of worshiping our Lord and Savior. And may 2012 be full of many new blessings for each of us.
Can't imagine taking this journey with anyone but you by my side! I love you!
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