Mama says of 2011, "It was the best of years, it was the worst of years." I completely agree and as I get older, I find that each new year is so.
September
The month started with our church's family camp and ended
with school. We also went to the fair, but Clara didn't have a performance this year. I went to a different campus this quarter and will miss it
very very much, as well as all of the wonderful new friends I've made.
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| Just so you know, we're NOT related to Ms. Tattoo Sleeve |
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| They each won a prize :) |
October
I started piano lessons! I've been wanting to learn for five years and
I've finally started! My wonderful teacher is letting me borrow her
gorgeous keyboard while I find one of my own. I'm hoping to get an
actual piano, but I know that on my budget, a keyboard will probably be
more realistic. :)
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| The instrument in my care, next to my guitar |
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Of course, there were Candlelight Tours! It's our biggest first-person event of the year.
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| "Ambition Palmer" |
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| "Jocasta and Felicity Palmer" |
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| "Rosette Palmer" |
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| Me as "Fidelia Palmer" |
November
School, school, school. I settled
into a routine and grew to love it.
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| The cooks of Thanksgiving dinner. |
The week before Thanksgiving, we
found out that my grandpa had cancer. The doctors encouraged us to come
and see him as soon as we could. We said goodbye to him the Saturday
before Thanksgiving and he went to be with the Lord the next Tuesday.
December
On December 2nd, I found out that my mama had cancer. She has malt
lymphoma. She's just completed a round of antibiotics for some other
health issues and the doctors say there's a 50/50 chance of the
antibiotics putting the lymphoma into remission. If not, she'll start
radiation in the spring.
It's settled in a bit now but
is still so surreal. It's put a bit of a damper on the holiday season,
not to mention making finals harder to study for. However, we're
surrounded with loving friends and family who have been giving us
wonderful support.
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| We both passed the quarter/semester with good grades :) |
Christmas came and went by so fast.
It's such a wonderful time. We made freshly squeezed apple cider, cookies for Santa, and
watched many, many Christmas movies.
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| Tarquin and I cutting apples for cider |
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| We cut and cored 20 lbs of apples! |
Last year, I had a friend who was spending his break brushing up on his
math skills in preparation for the quarter. I laughed at him at the
time, but now I admire his wisdom! This break I'm working pages of
worksheets to prepare for chemistry, which I finally (after two
quarters) got a spot in. It's been a year since I've worked with those
nasty little compounds and reactions, so it's a good thing for me to be
occupying my time with.
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| Yes, it took a very very long time to get this picture |
Recently we've been doing sort of a modified Paleo diet for Mama, so the whole family's joined in and we've had some amazing new recipes.
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| The remains of a BLT burger with Spicy Cajun Fries |
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| Burgers and tomatoes on the stove-top grill |
Which reminds me that it's time to go clean that kitchen!
I've learned a lot this year. I got a job. I got a haircut this morning that turned out to be a disaster. I've gained experience, wisdom, and insight. I've lost a lot too.
I hope that you've seen the glory of God this year, and that you may know his blessings in 2012.
Happy New Year! Here's to 2012!
