ReCap of Resolutions 2011

MOM GOALS

-baby #2 (or 3 depending on how you look at it) I had a second full term pregnancy producing 3 additional children...I believe this was full filled.
-get Aidan into a preschool type environment He loves his daycare. He has a hard time getting up early in the morning but he loves doing his projects.
-complete the potty training process With the AWESOME help of many visitors and some wonderful friends...yes HE DID IT!!
-teach Aidan ABC's and 123's(in the correct order as observed by everyone besides Aidan) He is learning lots in day care
-more play dates (he loves him friends) Yep all the time.

WIFE GOALS

-be supportive of Brian's career and the things necessary to grow in it moving 2500 miles away...yep
-motivate and help keep a happy husband thriving I think he is thriving well
-help eliminate our silly debt (silly meaning all debt) well on our way. We paid off the truck and some medical bills. Only to get more medical bills but such is life.
-be an equal partner in everything possible I am trying and Brian says yes.

PERSONAL GOALS

-work on my health I tried my hardest with being pregnant for so long. When I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes I did well to keep my blood sugar within the correct levels and I learned to eat appropriately. So yes...
-sewing/quilting classes not this year
-ETSY shop to sell my hobby/crafts not this year. I have a Etsy shop just nothing to sell because crafts were very far from my mind.
-work on forgiveness, compassion, understanding, and finding happiness everyday in everything I tried and think I did a pretty good job. This may be a reoccurring idea, because I think I should always strive to be better.
-make 5 blankets to donate sadly no. I am really bummed by this one. Maybe next year.
-learn to knit or crochet sadly no, no time and no teacher during bed rest.
-more charitable I tried and think I did a pretty good job. This may be a reoccurring idea, because I think I should always strive to be better.
-garden yes. I got one beautiful tomato and that was it. I didn't say a bountiful garden. ha ha ha
-bodega stocked all year long it has been close to depletion multiple times but we have always had something
-do lots of canning and bottling no bottling or canning. Sorry I made babies and moved three times. too busy. :-)

WANTS

-mini van as of Christmas morning...YES!!!
-new toilet we moved three times and in the current house we have, we now have three toilets, so yes.
-Brian a laptop he got a work lap top.
-new kitchen table and chairs I am going to say yes. Joe and Debbie are letting us have theirs. It will be in our dining room as soon as we can go and get it.

TRAVEL

-St. George *3 yes in the first three months...crazy.
-Redfish sadly no. I hope everyone understands.
-camping sadly no.
-vacation elsewhere just moved to VA. Not really a vacation but a new environment
-over night excursion sans the child(ren) I was in the hospital for four days (three nights). Not exactly what I meant but it was without Aidan and the babies were in NICU.

Family Newletter and Christmas Card 2011

Left to Right back row: Brian, Aidan Katie

Left to Right front row: Gavin, Talon, Owen

Hello Family and Friends,

This year has been a busy one in the Larson household. We have experienced many big changes. Every month has been crazy. But we have loved every minute of 2011. And we can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store for us.

In January we found out that I was expecting. This was such a blessing, especially after our miscarriage in August. But with the excitement of the pregnancy we received news that Brian might not have a position at Convergys for very long. So Brian was able to put out some resumes and the first of February he was able to interview with Juniper Networks. Three days after his return from the interview we found out that we were pregnant with spontaneous triplets! We spent nearly a month trying to process this wonderful news. We were beyond confused when Brian was offered the position with Juniper, in Virginia. It took us some time to wrap our minds around the new path that the Lord had chosen for us, but once we did we eagerly boarded a plane for Virginia in April.

I was put on bed rest in May, a very unfortunate time because we had effectively moved our belongings twice in that month. We also had to search for a place to live, and bed rest made everything a little bit more difficult. But we found a wonderful home to rent, within the boundaries of a wonderful church ward.

The triplets were born on August 12, 2011 via emergency c-section. Gavin Michael, Talon Jeffrey and Owen Kay were born very healthy, just early. They spent about 14 days in the NICU for observation and jaundice. We were very blessed to have such happy healthy babies. Their weights were 5 lbs. 1 oz. (Gavin), 4 lbs. 9 oz. (Talon) and 5 lbs. 10 oz. (Owen).

Since their birth we have had a slue of family come and visit. What a wonderful help they have all been in this odd adjustment period. All these experiences have been wonderful for our little growing family. I have found that Brian can cook; he can even bake better than I can. Brian is also an amazing dad and husband and is an awesome multi-tasker.

Aidan has also been busy. He has made many new friends. He has finally finished potty training himself. He is currently enrolled in pre-school, which he LOVES! He is also a very awesome and helpful big brother. The triplets love watching him play and then especially love it when he sings to them.

What a year it’s been for the Larson Clan. We have experienced many changes, and many adventures. We are so grateful for all of the help and support we have received from so many friends and family, near and far, old and new. Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, gifts, letters, support and example. May the New Year find you and yours happy and healthy and ready for new adventures!!

To blog or not to blog....

I have been wrestling with what to do about this blog. I have been wrestling with what to do about Facebook and other media (computer websites) that occupy my time. I find myself using these things as a means to escape my current crazy life. I can't run out of the house and do anything, because I am bound by three babies, an independent 3 year old, a lack of car large enough for us and a lack of confidence both in my surroundings (I have know idea what to do around here) and my confidence in leaving the house with three babies. So as a means to escape and see the outside world I find myself on the internet.

As I spend time exploring such wonderful technology I am constantly reminded of what things can be done, are being done and what could potentially happen in cyberspace. Maybe my mind runs away with thoughts of evil and horrible actions by others. But maybe, just maybe, my mind is trying to help me foresee the potential of others and helps me to realize just what is happening. Either way my desire to blog, desire to post on FB is wavering.

I enjoy being able to be in contact with friends and especially family. I have but one friend here in VA and so reading about the lives of everyone helps me stay connected. But as I stay connected I remember that everything on the internet stays on the internet. So I try and stay vigilant in my wordings, sharing and overall postings. It is at this time that I come to the conclusion that though I may try and avoid drama, confrontation, mishaps, and other malicious type behavior, that those who I cherish the most may be my undoing. Some don't understand my positions. Some don't understand my desire to be private, especially with family. I don't understand it. I want nothing more than to feel safe and comfortable for all my friends and family to stay connected with me and my family. But something, possibly my inability to trust others of past actions, I remain nervous and concerned about those closest to me.

Every time I think the dust has settled and life can return to the psuedo-normality that I have come to want and desire, someone or something kicks up a storm again.

Back to square one.

Ladies and Gentlemen. I have trust issues. HUGE TRUST issues. I have feelings of betrayal and confusion. It takes a lot of me to be in a position to WANT to trust again. But I have also noticed a new side effect of my trust issues. I want to block EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING that could POSSIBLY (INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY) cause me any GRIEF, OUT OF MY LIFE AND MY FAMILIES.

I know this is not a good thing, but repeat offenders, repeat actions have made this a strong feeling.

I know a new "goal" to work on for the new year.

So that being said...should I continue to blog? Should I cut everyone out until I can make sense of these thoughts and feelings? My brain says yes, my heart is undecided. My better half, Brian, says not to let those BAD THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS WIN. What to do what to do.

My options...

1-stop blogging.
2-stop FB
3-tighten my "circle" to those who would not hurt me or my family (very very small)
4-stop blogging and FB
5-stop everything and concentrate on letter writing and phone calls
6-start a new blog, very private very very private

What say you readers...if you are even still out there? My decision needs to be made sooner than later.