One Year Later . . .

Just a little over one year ago we were vacationing at my parents' house, getting ready to complete a very long journey that took us from Arkansas, to Michigan, to Montana, to Seattle, and finally to Hawaii, with two babies and two pets in tow. Zander was less than a year old, Charley was two and a half, and after two months of living out of suitcases, we were ready to settle down.

Brian and the pets came out to Hawaii two weeks ahead of the rest of us in order to get all our stuff moved into our new home and to get things settled before we arrived. On August 4th, he greeted me, the kids, and my mom at the airport with beautiful leis, and thus began our new life in Hawaii.


Here we are, a year later, and it still amazes me how much has changed in such a short time. In just a few short days, my beautiful son will be two years old. Just a year ago he couldn't walk, didn't talk much yet, and was still drinking out of a bottle. Today he runs around as fast as can be, can form near complete sentences, and prides himself on being able to drink out of a "big boy" cup. A year ago, my spirited little Charley was still in diapers, hadn't learned how to wear flip-flops, and was sad that all her friends were left behind. Today diapers are much a thing of the past, she has mastered how to run, jump, and play hopscotch in sandals, and she has made so many new friends that she never has a shortage of companionship. One year ago I would have sworn to you that I would be working by now. And yet here I am, a year later, no longer pondering the possibility of working any time soon, and relishing every minute that I get to spend at home with the kids. One year ago, my kids didn't know much else besides spending their weekdays at daycare. Today my kids don't know anything except spending their days with me. A year ago we all took for granted the easy work schedule Brian enjoyed for three whole years. Today we savor every minute that Brian gets to spend at home. A year ago I would have not considered going anywhere in public by myself with both kids unless I absolutely had to. Today we rarely spend an entire day at home, and I don't think there is anything that I am not brave enough to try on my own with the kids. A year ago I was not very confident in my ability to be a good stay-at-home mom, as I always envisioned myself being the "working mom." Today I am proud to be a stay-at-home mom, and most days I feel like I'm doing an okay job of it. A year ago I had a cleaning lady. Today, I AM the cleaning lady. A year ago we never sat down as a family and ate dinner because the kids always ate an early dinner and Brian and I ate after they went to bed. Today we sit down as a family and eat dinner every night, and we are all eating the same thing. A year ago Zander hated going to the beach and would cry every time a wave splashed him with water. Today we have to tear him away from the water, even after spending three hours at the beach. A year ago Charley and Zander's hair was blonde, but today it's even blonder. They are officially Coppertone beach babies.

Things are definitely different today that they were a year ago . . . more different than I ever imagined.

But looking back, I don't think I would trade even a minute of it for anything else . . .