A Final Personal Reflection on 2010

What a year this has been.  Sweetie and I joke with each other as we watch fireworks every New Years Eve that in two weeks, we'll be barbecuing and watching 4th of July fireworks from our balcony.  It doesn't seem like a joke anymore.  The speed of time increases with each year and for the life of me, I can't figure out why, or how to slow it down (let alone stop it).  My babies aren't babies, and they are reaching milestones I thought was centuries away.  My oldest is now working hard to obtain her Young Womanhood medallion so that she can obtain her learners permit in a year.  (A YEAR!!!!)  My oldest son is now a priesthood holder and we're looking at our final year of Cub Scouts with our youngest child.  (Personally, I won't be sad to see that one go.....).
All of these milestones have made me realize I need to figure out who I am beyond Mom, which is why I'm back in school.  I love the fact that I'm learning so much and that the things I'm learning will hopefully benefit many children besides my own.  I also love that when I work hard, put my priorities in the right order, I CAN do well in school.
One of my personal highlights this year was getting a 100% on a Geometry test.  (I didn't have to do any proofs, which is why I did so well.  I'm no help to my daughter in this field as she is taking Honors Geometry...poor girl.)  The other highlight is getting an A- in my Anatomy and Physiology class.  I worked sooooo hard and to have that hard work pay off is immensely satisfying.  I am most grateful to my Heavenly Father for His help in this class.  I had many priesthood blessings, and made sure that I read my scriptures and took care of my church responsibilities BEFORE I would study and I'm absolutely convinced that is what made all the difference.
One thing I've also learned this year is that my Heavenly Father loves me.  I have had to rely on Him more than ever with my calling and as I've turned to Him in prayer (sometimes in overwhelming tears), I know He heard me and that His hand is evident in all that I do.  I have seen that more keenly than ever and for that, I am grateful.
I am so grateful to be surrounded by a supportive husband and children, and good women who are such fabulous examples of grace, spirituality, motherhood and womanhood.
I look back and I know that I am not the person I was when 2010 started.  I'm more sure in my testimony of my Savior and more determined to serve Him because of all He has done for me.  I'm a better student of both secular and scriptural works.  The Spirit speaks to me and all I have to do is listen.  Just be still and listen.  (Unlike my husband and dog right now....they're playing and she's barking her heart out.  They're not being very still.)  Time with my family has become even more precious than ever and I do whatever I can to protect that time.
So here's to 2010...all the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful moments.  Hopefully the bad and the ugly moments will fade from my memory and the good and the beautiful moments will become even sweeter with time as I look back on them fondly.  2011 no doubt holds many adventures for me and my family and I hope to report that I'm not the same person at the end of 2011 as when I started the year.  That means that I'm progressing and becoming who my Heavenly Father sees I can be.
Happy New Year all!

Peterson Family 2010