New Years

Here we are on the eve of another New Year. A New Year. I can't believe we are here already. I swear it was just yesterday that we were starting 2010. Now it's 2011's turn to be heard. A whole year. Wow. So on this eve of a new year I have to think about what that means. Webster's Dictionary defines new as: as having come into existence recently. I have been sitting here trying to think of a negative connotation to the word new. I can't come up with one. New baby...always a blessing. Newlyweds....very sweet. New car...who doesn't love a new car? New Year.

A very wise person once told me that you get to start all over again every single day. I loved that wise person. She was right, but I feel like the most significant day would be the first day of a new year. I don't like to make resolutions. In my personal opinion we should be making resolutions everyday to become better friends, siblings, parents, children and people. But the new year does bring with it a sense of freshness, rebirth and a new beginning. Hope, faith, and resilience I believe are all born with a renewed sense of self and strength.

So what does this new year hold for us? Most of my personal goals are just that...personal. I am not sure I am ready to share with the entire world what my plans are. But they do involve moving my family forward, maybe even just moving them altogether. I have felt for a few years now that this might be coming, and I think this might be the year. Now don't go running around telling everyone that the Loutensocks are moving because until it actually happens, it's not happening. I would like to end up somewhere near St George or Cedar City, but we all know how our plans go....

Even without major changes this year holds a lot of new things for our family. McKenna will graduate from high school and go on to college. That is huge for me! My oldest, leaving home and starting the rest of her life....wow...still blows my mind. Jessi starts school all day this year and Colby starts kindergarten. That leaves me and Skyler alone half a day. Not too long ago I was home with 5 children during the day. The year Megan started kindergarten was the year I had Joe and I had a lot of little people home all day. I can't believe I ever survived those days...they seem so overwhelming to me now. I know I couldn't do it now. Megan will start ninth grade, and speaking of Megan...new hope for her and her health. Mental health I mean. Thank you Lori and Dr Ali for that hope...Abby will start her last year in elementary school. Isaac becomes a teenager. I could go on and on I think, but I won't. You all get the idea.

New, everything from this night out is new. New year, new hope, new lives, new dreams and new plans. I pray my hopes and dreams carry me through till next New Year's Eve...