2010 In Review

WOW. 2010 has been one hell of a year!! It started out with me being unemployed. Long story short I worked at a property in WDM that got sold. The new management company offered me a position but I didn't accept for many reasons. So I decided I would look for a new adventure and we even entertained moving out of state. I have wanted to move for a long time but we both haven't had the courage to move away from our friends and family. So I accepted a position in February 2010 because I hated sitting at home. I knew taking this position was going to be a lot of work because it was a very old property and it had a lot of problems. Little did I know that not only the property was suffering but the management company wasn't all that great. There were a lot of issues that needed a licensed contractor (they didn't want to spend the money)  and the city was on them horribly. I could go on forever but I think you get the point. So in May 2010 I got a call from another company offering me a position that was much better than where I was at. (and it was even a pay raise) So after talking with Trevor we decided that I needed to go ahead and make that move. I love where I am at and I am very pleased with the decision that I made. The property is newer and I am able to show the owner what I am actually capable of providing him. There has been so much improvement and it is finally showing on the financials. (for everyone that knows me, I strive on making things better and when it shows I am just as happy as the owner)

Now onto everything else. Both of my kids have made me so proud this year. Bryce is becoming a young man. He is so into girls (which I hate) but that comes with raising a very handsome boy. He is doing well in school. He participates in any and all sports. Bryce is very outspoken and open like his mama which sometimes can be bad but I always say it's good. I couldn't ask for a better son. Alexis is blossoming into a young lady. She is very quiet and relaxed like her daddy. I say this is bad all the time. Speak UP. I know it is ok but sometimes it really is trying. She is starting to see some changes and she is very quiet about asking me. I LOVE IT. She is doing very well in school as well. She got invited by The University of Iowa to take the EXPLORE test which is just like the ACT but for younger kids. She did very well on this. She ranked 53% as well or better than 8th graders in Math and 50% as well or better than 8th graders overall. Now remind you she is only a 5th grader. Trevor is my rock as I have said before. When I get stressed out he really does try to calm me down. (he has started doing this look that makes me laugh) This is something I need to work on but man I just can't help it. I really am the type that I want to protect my family and anything that trys to hurt it is going down. I know I need to relax more as Trevor says but it is very hard. We have had a rocky 2010 but I know that since we got through it 2011 will be a great year.

We took a trip to Minnesota/Wisconsin this year in June. We had a wonderful time with the family that we had with us. We hiked around Taylor Falls which borders Minnesota and Wisconsin. I look forward to more family vacations that we can enjoy.

I am ending this year with my family at my side and loving them more as we go into 2011 together. I have posted some pictures from throughout the year. Enjoy!!

Ending The Year and Entering 2011

So 2010 seemed like it just flew by. With the new year approaching this week I keep thinking about what my New Year's Resolutions should be. I have came up with a few: lose weight, surround myself with positive people so I can stay positive and stay in contact with all my friends. (I feel that I have not done this very well this year) I feel that this year has been a huge headache. I have received bad news on numerous occasions from my doctors. I was told I need to have another surgery on my ear and that still isn't a guarantee to work. My blood pressure is way high, I have sleep apnea and my thyroid is way out of whack and I am on medication. That doesn't make sense to me. I am still having family issues but that's not a big surprise. I have mended my relationship with my mother. It is so great being able to talk to her when I really need too. It is also nice to have her being a grandma to Bryce and Alexis. They love having her around too. Now if we can just get past some other issues with other family members. (not really sure that will happen at this point)

So, I work 40 plus hours per week as a Property Manager. At times it can be very tiring but I love the work and I love that it is something different every day. I then have my husband, 2 kids, 2 dogs and 1 cat that I need to take care of. Of course, Trevor is my back bone and is a huge help at all times. Even though he works 40 plus hours as well, we both manage to get to Bryce and Lexi's school events and all of Bryce's sporting events. He plays baseball, football, basketball and soccer.

So why is life so complicated? I think that God only gives us what we can handle. So, my next question is: why can I handle so much? Some days I am ok with everything that is on my plate but man sometimes I just need a break. I guess that is why I get to plan trips away like Chicago in April 2011 with an awesome friend and her 2 children and Las Vegas in June 2011 just for Trevor and I. Life does has it's sweet pleasures.

Well that is all I have for now.