Time For Reflection

On New Year's eve, I always try to reflect, as most people do, on the events of the past year that have had some sort of impact on me or my family.

The biggest one, and one of the most recent events, was the passing of my Grandma Cesario. She was my dad's mom and such a figurehead in our family. Going to her funeral, was an amazing thing though, as my cousins from all over the country flew in to remember her. At that moment, I knew she was looking down at all of us, smiling, knowing that for one more time she managed to bring everyone home.

2006 was a very hard year healthwise for our family as Tyler, Shawn, Joshua and myself all endured a multitude of different illnesses, surgeries and disorders. My boss put it exactly right when he said, "You know you've had a hard year when you run out of sick and paid time off." Fortunately, our family overcame these hardships and are stronger than ever (well, almost - read previous blog on the flu...)

Overall, 2006 has been an exciting year of firsts for the Yancey family.

Tyler graduated kindergarted and started first grade. Who would have thought that he would join choir and be in his first musical? He rode his bike without training wheels and made plenty of friends in our neighborhood.

Joshua, on the otherhand, grew up so quickly this year. We were able to celebrate Joshua's first birthday in October. It still amazes me that in one year he went from newborn, to baby, to toddler and has taken his first steps today, in fact.

Shawn and I celebrated our first anniversary in our house. I bought my first brand-new car (without any outside help) while Shawn was able to celebrate one full year in business.

2006 has been a year of celebration and losses, joys and saddness, failures and successes. I can only look forward to what 2007 has in store for us.