The Akins Year in Review- 2011

I was sitting here thinking about 2011 - how it drug by at times and then flew by other times. We had a great year I think, but it was a hard year for us - lots of separations and some sadness, but we also made great memories and vacations to etch in our minds!

SO here's the rundown of what I can remember! :)

January: We took a trip to NC to visit with family and share in a late Christmas. We also survived living 3 days in the Atlanta Airport due to cancelled/delayed flights!

February: We faced our first deployment of the year, but #3 deployment all together.

March: Jackson turned 4 this month and we had both sets of grandparents come in to celebrate with us.

April: David turned 31 while off in the desert.

May: I turned 31 right behind David. David returned home from deployment in early May. My mom came out to visit. Harley (our Yorkie) turned 11. We also traveled to CO in late May to visit with family. While there we discovered we were pregnant.

June: Sadly after we returned home from CO, we lost the baby we were so excited about. This was just an all around tough month for me. David deployed again (#4) for a thankfully shorter deployment. Jackson also began his first year of T-ball and LOVED it!

July: I don't remember anything major this month besides single parenting it, swim lessons, splash pad, play dates, etc.

August: Bailey (our Great Dane) turned 6! David's Gma, Aunt and Cousins came down for a visit. David returned from deployment #4. We traveled to NC once again just to get away and see family! Jackson started Preschool and his first year of soccer!

September: Matthew turned 2! We found out that I was pregnant again after miscarrying! Jackson started his first year of AWANA and David (when home) and I became leaders as well! I began co-teaching the 4/5 year old Sunday School class at church.

October: We faced yet another deployment (#5). The tempo last year was just about unbearable! We finished out soccer, had a field trip with school, Trunk or Treating and enjoyed the cooler weather. Nana Akins came to visit also.

November: We just kept on keeping on! We celebrated Thanksgiving with friends.

December: My dad and brother made a trip out to go hunting. David returned from his deployment. We had our first snow! Baby #3 turns out to be a GIRL! We travel to CO for an early Christmas. My parents traveled here for Christmas week! We rang in the New Year with friends, food and fellowship!

Happy New Year from our family to yours! Here's hoping that 2012 for us keeps us together as a family more, welcoming a healthy baby girl into our lives and memories that will last a lifetime!