blessings in 2011

(Please excuse Duke's devil eyes.  The iphone red eye corrector thing doesn't always work.  He really is a nice guy.)

In February, finding out we were having a baby was a great moment.  I spent almost all of 2011 being pregnant and I really did enjoy it.  Planning for a baby and nursery and everything else that goes with it was scary but very exciting.

I was able to move into a new lifestyle that I've been dreaming of for quite awhile.  Being a stay-at-home mom and teaching piano was something I had always hoped to do and I was able to finally start doing it. It was not a dreamy life right at first.  Now it is truly one of the most beautiful things I've been a part of. The amount of love in my heart for my little boy is indescribable.

Some of my friends brought little people into the world this year that are absolutely precious.  Next year, more little people are on the way.  Duke is already surrounded by a huge group of boys and girls who have amazing, godly parents.  I get emotional thinking about it.  I can't wait to see them all grow up together.

Our band's name changed.  We are now Mopak.  With a new-ish sound and a new band member, a new name was only appropriate.  We began recording at Blackwatch Studios in Norman and plan on finishing up in February.

I also started recording my own little album.  I've taken a little break due to a few life changes, but hopefully it'll get wrapped up in the next couple of months.  I'm excited to have finally done something that I'd been talking about for years and years.

I started to blog more consistently.  Spending more time at home allowed for this and I've really enjoyed it.  I know that later in life I will love looking back on old posts.  I think it will be a special thing for our family to have.

The last 3 months of the year were filled with our 3 year anniversary, my fake water breaking, contractions, childbirth, baby blues, figuring out motherhood, and lots of holiday craziness.  2011 was a year of life change.  I am not the person I was last January and I'm glad about that.

Now, looking forward to the hopes and dreams of 2012 ...