As I look back on the past year of my life, I realize that I truly have come along way in all aspects of me life. I remember making my new year goals for 2010. At the time, I had just recently got better from my eating disorder madness and was finally beginning to take care of myself, physically, mentally and spiritually. I started to really discover who I was and really listen to that voice inside of myself. I began reading a lot more about being healthy and surrounding myself with the influences that I wanted in my life and the people who encouraged me rather than brought me down. Among my list of goals for 2010 were:

1. Start yoga
2. Start juicing
3. Go for walks as often as possible
4. Make time for family and friends
5. Sponsor a child

I never was one for making goals or sticking to them, but I am proud to say that I accomplished all of these things and more. We sponsored not one, but two children, a 7-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy. I have been practicing yoga all year long and juicing has become a regular part of my life. I went for an hour long walk nearly everyday of the year, except on really cold days or when I was sick, either pulling the girls in the wagon or pushing Kesa in the stroller while Autumn rode her bike.

Autumn kept on riding her bike until there was too much snow.

In July, I began running and found myself running 11 miles, in complete bliss. I remained vegan for the whole year, after committing myself to this lifestyle in October of 2009. I fell in love with cooking and baking and even began trying out recipes of my own.

We took many trips to the beach and spent most of our days outside in the sunshine.

In September I made the decision to shave my head and donate my hair at the Terry Fox Run. My hubby was of course in it with me and Autumn donated her pony tail.

In November, I decided to become a homeschooling mom and committed myself to teaching my own children. It was something that I always wanted to do, but I just never had enough faith in me.

I have grown and learned a lot this year, but the most important thing that I have learned is that life is really worth living. We only have today, we can’t live in the past or what might happen in the future, but be present wherever we are and whoever we are with. That is truly living. I have watched my girls grow over this past year into such beautiful little girls and fallen 100 times more in love with my husband. I have challenged myself and in doing so I have learned more about myself and discovered that anything worth having is not easy. I have learned that when I do the things that I think I can’t do, I learn a little more and grow a little more into the person that I want to become. I never would have imagined being where I am today! I guess I owe it to that determined personality that I have. If someone tells me (even myself)  that I can’t do something, I just have to do it. I love a challenge.

I look forward to 2011 being my teacher and seeing what other challenges/blessings await. I know at least one blessing that awaits in 2011, as we are very excited to be expecting our third child to arrive sometime in August. That is sure to change life all over again and make life even that much more beautiful. 🙂

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!