Out with the old and in with the new

As we say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012 like everyone I have been looking back on the year. I have to say 2011 wasn't a bad year for us. Of course the birth of Alyssa made it extra special, but we had a lot of change in our family.

Adding a 4th child to the mix was of course the biggest change. But having three kids in three different schools. CJ started riding the school bus this year. Natalie got into the Avid program. Kaitlyn thrived in school. It was a great year and I'm a little sad to see it go.

I am looking forward to 2012 though. Alyssa's 1st birthday to start the year. Then after Natalie, Kaitlyn, and CJ make it through this school year they will start some important school year milestones. Natalie will begin her final year of middle school, Kaitlyn will start her final year of elementary school, and CJ will start his first truly official year of school with Kindergarten. This time next year I figure I'll be looking into different options for what we'll do for Kaitlyn for middle school. At this point in time I'm not entirely convinced that public middle school is the place for her and she might be better suited in a Montessori school for middle school. The last half of this school year for her is going to be crucial.

We hope to take a trip to Florida this year too to see family we haven't seen in way too long. So it's going to be an exciting year in 2012. We're sorry to see you go 2011, but looking forward to seeing what 2012 will bring The Barnes Bunch!

A Look Back and A Look Forward

With 2010 coming to a close I have been doing a little looking back at our year and also a little looking forward to what 2011 will bring us.

2010 wasn't all that bad. It brought a lot of changes for the Barnes Bunch. We moved to a new apartment in January. Much bigger than our old one. I finally got the school to write up an IEP for Kaitlyn after nearly 2 years of trying. Natalie graduated from elementary school and moved up to the middle school. Kaitlyn started a new school for 3rd grade this year which has proven to be the best thing for her. CJ even started preschool. He is really starting to come out of his shell and attempting things he normally wouldn't. I got pregnant with baby number 4. It made for a very interesting 2010.

And now looking forward to 2011. Of course the biggest thing of all will be baby #4's arrival. I can't wait for this pregnancy to be over and to meet this little girl. Hoping to see continued improvement in Kaitlyn's reading. Hoping CJ is potty trained very early on in 2011. So much to look forward to in 2011!

Out with the Old in with the New

So long 2009

Hello 2010!

Here's to a great New Year!

Happy New Year!

Welcome to a brand new year! Happy 2009! I have lots of hopes for this year. 2008 wasn't so great in the Barnes household. I hope to put all of those rough times behind us though and leave them in 2008 and look forward to things to come. Natalie will be turning 10 this year! Hard to believe. Joe and I will celebrate our 9th anniversary in March. CJ is making such great strides in his motor skills. I think his first steps will be coming very soon. I'm excited also to watch his vocabulary expand. And I have great hopes for Kaitlyn this year that she'll make great strides in her reading so I won't have to continue to worry. I hope to have plenty to celebrate this year. Happy 2009 to all of my readers! I hope you continue to find what I have to say interesting and come back to read more.

Remembering 2008

1) Did you have to go to the hospital at all in 08? Why?
Yes, in February for CJ when he was in the hospital for five days due to failure to thrive. Then again December 5 to give birth and say goodbye to Celeste.

2) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Nope

3) Did you go on vacation? Where?
Yes. We went to Philadelphia over the summer for a day and then stayed with a friend in MD that night.

4) Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes, Celeste

5) Did you move or remodel?
Nope

6) What concerts/shows did you go to?
None and I think the only movie we even went to was Bedtime Stories on Christmas Day. No wait, we went to the drive in theater and saw Journey to the Center of the Earth and Batman.

7) When you think back on all of 2008, what stands out for you?
Hmmmm, it's been a rough year. I'm looking forward to a better 2009, but I guess the thing that stands out the most is the loss of my pregnancy and Celeste.

8) What was/are your most memorable moment(s)?
Celebrating CJ's 1st birthday. Unfortunately the thing I will probably remember most though about 2008 is December 6, 2008 when I gave birth and said goodbye all in the same moment to my daughter Celeste Alia.

9.) What's something you learned about yourself?
I can experience a great tragedy, but still pull it together for my children.

10.) Any new additions to your extended family?
My cousin's live in boyfriend Kevin. Hopefully 2009 brings a proposal for her too.

11.) What music will you remember 2008 by?
I'm not up to date on music these days.

12) Who has been your best drinking buddy?
I don't drink.

13) Made new friends?
No

14) Any regrets?
Way too many. I regret most not finding out I was pregnant earlier because I will always wonder if that could have saved my pregnancy.

15) What are your wishes for 2009?
I wish that things could improve in my relationship with my parents and that we all stay happy and healthy this year. No more death and no more hospital visits for any of us.

16) Anything you want to add?
Here's to a way better 2009 than 2008!