Day 17: I Go High, I Go Low

Each day, each year can feel like a mountain with its highs and lows. Some paths are easy and some more difficult and yet we continue to tread on.

Some of my high points this past year include (in no particular order):

1.  Becoming a full time social studies teacher on next year's school schedule. You see, my degree is in Secondary Social Science Education, but for the last four years I have been teaching Reading and Social Studies. I enjoyed teaching reading, but the social sciences is where my passion lies!
2. Avery's 1st birthday--When Little Miss was a newborn/infant, it was hard for me to see past
   
   each sleepless night or hormone filled cries (from me, not the baby). Her first birthday party was lovely. She won't remember much of it, but we have a ton of pictures to share with her. I baked her a giant cupcake which she wasn't too interested in...ah, well. I tried!
3. Decorating my house. My Hubby and I have lived in our house for almost four years and I never really got around to full on decorating it. I had pieces or pictures here and there. We painted the main rooms, but it lacked a "homey feeling." So this past year, I got some wind under my sails and started to do more. Of course, if I allowed myself unlimited funds and hired help it would all be done by now. I am thrifty and love shopping for deals so it is a slow, but fun process! I want purposeful décor, not contrived.
4. I love spending time with my family. So each time that we get together it is always a treat.
5. I very much enjoyed watching my nieces by softball and t-ball this year.
6. Starting my blog back up again has been fun!
7. Watching my students graduate high school is always a treat and something I look forward to every year. I get to stand on the stage and represent the social studies department and I give as many hugs as possible!

Some of my low points:

1. Dealing with the loss of my aunt is definitely at the top of this list. She was an amazing mom, sister, aunt and friend. There really isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her.
3. This past December I got sick and had to go to the ER and that was no bueno. I was so weak and tired I really couldn't care for my daughter. I was lucky enough to have In-Laws who were willing to help care for her. It's an awful feeling knowing you are not physically able to care for your child.

I like to think that I focus more on the positive vs the negative, but both are significant. Gloria Gaither once said, "We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way." The bumps in the road with occur and the storm clouds may roll in; however, there are always rainbows sunshine at some point after the rain, you just have to take the time to look. God doesn't promise us that bad or disappointing things won't happen, but he does promise to be there for us when they do.