A recap of 2010 & hopes for the new year

As I sit here at home on this 2010 New Years Eve, I look back at what a truly amazing year this has been. I honestly told Mr. C tonight that this has by far been the biggest year of my life and I don't know how another year could top this one.
Here's a little recap...

Had a baby April 27th, 2010. His name is Landon Oliver Cotton and he is the greatest gift God could ever give me. I am so proud to be a mother. It is the greatest job I could ever have.

He is now 8 months old and I can't believe how fast the time is going by. He will be walking soon!! Every day he looks into my eyes, gives me a smile, reaches for me to hold him, and everything in my world makes sense.

On August 13th, 2010 I married the most amazing man that I have ever met. We have been together for several years now, and each year gets better. I am looking forward to the next 60 years with this man.

And lastly in big news from this year, we are in the process of buying our first house! We were suppose to close yesterday, but as I am finding out.. "home buying" is going to kill me! a very stressful process. Thanks to the big snowstorm in the north, it delayed the closing, so I am crossing my fingers that we will close next week. Which I guess makes that a "2011" achievement, but oh well.. I am adding it here tonight too!
So now.. what do I want to look for in this next year?
1. I would like to grow closer to my husband, making each moment count. I want to listen to him more, and put him first in my list of busy duties.
2. I want to be the best mommy that I can for L. He is changing every second and I really want to capture as much as I can to remember as he gets older.
3. I would like to become the best teacher that I can for my class. I hope to learn a lot from this first year, to know what to do and not to do next school year in August.
4. I would like to become a better granddaughter, spending time with my grandparents more. I know that time is precious with them and I want them to get to see L has he is growing.
5. Of course the cliche' of losing weight is a given... I am still holding onto my pregnancy weight and I am ready to be in better shape than I was pre-pregnancy. OH BOY>>>Here's to making that big change!!
6. I want to improve my skills as an interior decorator.. HAHA.. I hope to make my new home a beautiful and comfortable place where my family will live.. I am very excited about the possibilities!
7. I also look forward to really being a pro at saving money, putting some away for a rainy day!
8. I hope to be a better blogger this year. I have been very slack, but since creating this new page, I hope to write more posts!


THese are a few of my goals for '11.. what are some things you hope to accomplish or see?

Christmas Update

This was an exciting Christmas in our household, as it was our first Christmas as a married couple, and also our first with our son!! We had a wonderful morning opening presents at home with L. Then we got ready and went to my mom's for the first Christmas lunch. We opened presents and visited with my grandmother! It was wonderful. L did a great job opening his goodies..

Then we headed over to Mr.C's parent's house. We spent the rest of the day there with some of his siblings. It was a wonderful holiday.

I truly feel blessed to have such an amazing family. We have gone through so much, I can't believe how far we have come in such a short time.
I hope everyone else had a blessed Christmas, sorry this was so late!!

Holiday Happenings

I can't believe the holidays are here! It really doesn't feel like Christmas is so close. I still have soooo much shopping to do! That.. and packing!
We are suppose to close on our new house on the 30th!! God help us, please say a little prayer for us that everything goes well..
I am on my winter vacation from teaching!! I am hoping that we can move in before I go back on Jan. 3rd.
Well I hear my little man waking up from a nap, and I need to get ready so sorry for such a short post.. More to come!!

Here is a quick pic of my baby boy!! I just love his face!!

Big Milestones and Little Steps

I am so excited about the awesome things happening in my family this month. We are currently in the process of buying our first home! Our closing date is scheduled for December 30th so great Christmas present to us! But with this awesome step also comes some awful stress!! I never knew everything that went into purchasing a home. I will be so glad when this whole process is over.
And on another note.. my little man started crawling today! I am so proud of him, and yes I know this brings trouble for me for he will be getting into everything now.. but I am still excited for this next step in his growth and development.
Looking forward to an end of this stressful week, my family is going to Charleston this weekend. My husband will be working some, but I will be treating it like a mini vay-cay :) Next week will be our last week of school before Christmas break and I am looking forward to many exciting things that I have planned.
I am going to be doing a whole thematic unit on the Polar Express. Do you remember that book from your childhood? I am so excited for this to be L's first Christmas. We will be starting new family traditions for the holidays and I could not be more ready to make these lasting memories. What kind of Christmas traditions do you have with your family?