I have decided to label each year as "The year we..." this way when Adam and I are old and toothless sitting on a porch in our rocking chairs and we go to talk about an event in our past I can say, "remember that year we..." The year 2011 will be known as: The year we turned 30. The year we contracted the plague, the year I successfully planted my first garden by myself and the year of Hermanstorfer family reunion #2.
I remember at the begining of this year thinking I had so many plans before my actual 30th birthday...for example losing more weight. However, I did not plan on getting so sick and it progressively getting worse. Not just for me but both the girls as well. We spent the first half of 2011 constantly sick and confined indoors. (The good news is we got to refine our baking skills). The funny thing is as a result of being so sick I did in fact eventually lose that weight I was hoping to. :) After some time we jokingly decided we'd contracted the plague.
This year Hannah turned 4 and Abby had her 1st birthday. They are a hoot. They are definitely sisters. As Abby has become more active and verbal this has been good news...and bad news for Hannah. It's obvious they love each other (even when I as Mama force their kindness towards each other) and each day is packed full of love and hate moments. But when I look at how they interact with each other, and with others that make up our dear friends and family I realize I must not be messing up too badly with them, because they are very kind little people and SO full of love for the people that make up our lives. It is obvious that as both Adam and I have made family and friends that have become family a priority they've picked up on this. So many of you are all mentioned on a daily basis with so much love. We are SO blessed to have the families we have and the support we gather on a daily basis from those of you near and far.
These girls are so blessed to have two sets of grandparents that think the world of them. They both light up at the mere mention of Popsie and Gram or Poppa and Gramma. We are so very lucky that we have the ability to see all of them on a fairly regular basis. We also have church family that have become so dear to our little family. And the girls have many Aunties and Uncles that are constantly being mentioned in love! We are so truly overwhelmed with love on so many sides...and so thankful for all our family.
Abby Joy is just that. She is seriously joyful. She is hilarious. She has a different kind of energy than Hannah did. While both of them are constantly moving Abby has taken it to a craziness we didn't have with Hannah. She is afraid of very little and I think she doesn't realize that she's small. In her little mind she can do anything her big sister, or anyone else does. And she'll try. I am constantly finding new bruises and bumps on her due to her trying to fly off anything that looks tall enough. She's tackled the big girl bed and won and we are easing into potty training. This little one has such a charming personality. She will melt you where you stand all the while doing something she shouldn't be...or stealing your food when you're not looking...but by the time you realize you've been charmed or stolen from it's too late. :)
Hannah Grace has so much love in her heart. She's had a really tough year though. She has been sick longer than any of us, and it's resulted in lots of doctors visits and tests until finally in October we think we figured out some of what's going on. She so cares about others and how they are feeling or their well being. She is lately into telling jokes in 4 year old humor: "Knock knock." "Who's There?" "Fred." "Fred who?" "Fred Meyer." haha She gained a new cousin in the last week and is all about lovin on her. She is so beautiful and sometimes when I look at her I can't believe she is already 4...when I look at all she says and does...it's incredible. She loves to cook and is really helpful with chores around the house. She continues to be a little mama to anyone who looks like they'll do what she directs them too and is really excited to start taking some ballet lessons.
The other day my mom said, "If I were to try and explain the difference between Hannah and Abby's personalities I'd describe it like this. If someone who neither girl knew came up to them and wanted a hug, Hannah would say: Welll...I'm not sure. You see I don't really know you and I don't really like to hug people other than those I know etc... And Abby would say: Nope. and then probably punch you for good measure. That about sums it up. :)
We are thankful for Adam's job and that he has constant work now a days. When he took a job a couple years ago in office I wasn't sure whether he'd like it, but like everything Adam does he excels above and beyond. And even though it is tight, his job makes it possible for me to stay home...and that is the best gift of all. I am so thankful that he supports that financially and emotionally.
We are a blessed family. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the every day frustrations and goings on and forget to stop and look at your big picture...forget to stop and be thankful for all you really have. But at the end of 2011, despite all the things that frustrated, despite the loss of loved ones, despite the things that try to take away from all we have...we end the year feeling loved, thankful and so very blessed. We hope the end of this year and the begining of 2012 find you in the same place.
With Love...The Four of Us
