14 Things We Learned in 2014

What better way to start the new year than a list ... of some of the things we've learned over the course of the last 12 months!

14 Things We Learned in 2014 

1. Its easier to just let a kid get sick on you, then trying to play duck and dodge, aiming a bucket where you think they might go next.

2. Sunshine, sand, and salty air is a good cure for absolutely anything!

3. No matter how long its been since you've seen or talked to them, or the terms you left things on last time you were with them, REAL friends will help you out when you need them the most. Even if that means letting you  crash at their place when your camping trip gets rained out.

4. It's okay to admit that you need help sometimes -- whether with something little, like the laundry, or something bigger, like life in general. You aren't alone, and that help? Really does help.

5. Any town can be dreadful if you don't really know anyone. Once you make friends of your OWN, and not just your spouse's friends, any place can become a "home".

6. Finding the right church is a saving grace, literally!

7. When you want hair to grow, it doesn't. When you want shorter hair, it grows like a weed! Seriously, I think L needs a hair cut every month, whereas S has had 1 in her entire 5 years of life.

8. We can't all be the teachers -- sometimes, we have to be the students, as well. And sometimes ... we don't have to be either ... we can just be mom, and it be okay, too.

9. No matter how many times you tell your kids NOT to call you by your first name, you will still answer to it when they scream it somewhere! And it will always make them giggle!

10. As a Mom, no "vacation" is a true vacation ... unless the kids aren't there. {And then, really ... you are just wondering what your kids are doing and if they miss you, the whole time anyways ...}

11. They are going to fight with each other. They are going to tease each other, pull hair, steal toys and tattle. They are going to lay blame on each other. Hit each other. Call each other bad names. And even lie and blame each other. But in the end, when it really matters most, they will be each other's best friend. Regardless of what happened five minutes ago.

12. Nothing beats Mom's home cooking. Maybe Grandma's ... but that's about it.

13. Date nights. Even if you are just walking through Walmart together ... make them happen. Even if they are at 11am. Do it. Make time for each other and enjoy that time you do have. Kids take a lot of time and energy {and really are worth it all} ... but in the end, they will leave home. You don't want to wake up after 20 years and realize you don't even KNOW the person you are married to anymore!

14. As long as you are with the ones you love, nothing else matters!

Now, I am looking forward to all the things -- big and little -- that we will learn this year, 2015!