The Kubnicks had a pretty awesome, exhausting, up and down, wouldn't trade it for the world kinda year this year. Here's the rundown.....
Zella Claire
If you've had the pleasure of being in her presence you fully understand what I mean when I say that she's got an unbelievably happy disposition. Having lived her first year of life in misery with her, it's even more evident to me.....guess I'm a little partial. But this year was huge for our baby girl. She celebrated her first birthday in February, at Disney world!!! Despite the enchantment of Disney I couldn't get over her first birthday without a cake, ice cream, anything. It was too dangerous. And a very small sacrifice to keep our little girl from a horrible reaction. In March we started reintroducing food to her diet. At the ripe age of 13 months old Zella got one new fruit every 10 days. You have never seen a child DEVOUR food like she did those first several weeks. By the end of April she was completely weened off of the specialty Hypoallergenic Formula. She had her last appointment with Dr. Patel in Columbia with a clearance to eat her heart out (with close monitoring from Mom of course). She's still extremely sensitive to Peas and Sweet Potatoes BUT we'll take it! She learned to walk this year, learned to talk this year, took her first #2 on the big girl potty (and hasn't even attempted since then), she went to the beach and didn't take off her pearls (she's a TRUE Southern Belle), she took her first trip on an airplane and breathed fresh Wisconsin air, she became the "daycare diva" and developed a passion for shoes and jewelry. She is 100% all girl! In a year of milestones, she has adapted and overcome and literally smiled the entire time. To say that she is a BLESSING is a severe understatement.
Cole Harrison
Cole had a HUGE year! We started with our trip to Disney....naturally the highlight of any childs life but we were there on his 5th birthday and he got treated like the prince that he truly is. We made it through with only two or three meltdowns so really, it was a great trip, LOL! He graduated from Preschool (with a cap, gown, and tassle and everything!) and started Kindergarten. The first few weeks were a HUGE struggle for all of us. He was frustrated. Rules? What do you mean I have to sit still for more than 5 consecutive minutes? It was tough. It's still tough. But he does it. And he does it with those piercing blue eyes (which helps him tremendously when it comes to his teacher). He learned to read!!! He learned to tie his shoes!!! He officially wipes his own butt!!!! (If you're a mom, you get how HUGE this last one is). He played two seasons of soccer and did really really well. Theres nothing more awesome than watching your child succeed and seeing the look on their face when they finally comprehend what's going on. He has also made the transition from all things toddler sized. Clothes, shoes, etc. And it makes me super sad. He will be 6 in February. And he's already slipping away from me. My first born child is growing up.....and yes, it hurts, and it's so awesome to see the fruits of our labor. This child WILL CHANGE THE WORLD....and he's doing it one person at a time.
Jake
I think it's hilarious, and adorable, that I will also note that Jake got to go to Disney this year! LOL! He loves it just as much as the kids do. When he booked the trip he explained to me that everyone gets to be a kid when they're there. He's right. It was a great trip! AND the day before we left for Disney.....the Packers won the super bowl! GO PACK GO! Jake started his training in March for a Natural Bodybuilding Competition. I have never ever ever been more impressed with someone's discipline and drive. In July, just shy of 3 years since having a plate and 4 screws attached to his spine, he stood on stage and competed, taking 2nd in his weight class. I couldn't help but chuckle as I was sitting in the crowd and a lady in front me goes "ooooooooh he is fine!" Yes, and he's mine! In addition to that, he was a full time student. His major is Professional Aeronautics. It makes my head hurt to say it. He took some ridiculous classes....aerodynamics, statistics, physics, all things that make me want to vomit. But Jake, he aced them all. With ease. While being a full time Air Traffic Controller, full time husband, full time daddy, volunteer soccer coach AND training for a bodybuilding competition! There were days when I would joke with him and say "don't be such an overachiever! Come back down here with the mediocre people!" but truly, he's nothing short of amazing. In March, he'll be done. In May, he will walk, head held high, Bachelors Degree in hand, and graduate from college. Just got a prideful tear welling up in my eye. I'm sure I'm missing some things....this guy has so much going on! 2012 is going to be a huge year for Jake. I am so Proud!
And then there's me....
Stick with me kids! How do I know that my life has changed? Because my list of triumphs for this year, has already been listed. There is nothing more powerful than the power of a praying wife or the power of a praying mother. And I'm her. We take pride in the things that we are passionate about, and that includes people. It's been a year of ups and downs for me. It's like whatever my hubby and my kids endure, I do too, and I get the emotions on top of it. From Zella's belly pains and awful reactions and vomiting sessions, to Cole's struggle to control his ADHD and the toll it took on him emotionally, to Jake's literal physical and mental exhaustion.....I did a lot of praying this year. I did a lot of kneeling. I did a lot of crying. I also smiled until my face hurt the first time Cole read a book to me. I cried tears of joy when Zella took those first steps. I melted when she said "I yub you!" the first time. I laughed hysterically at my husband as it took us hours to apply his fake tan, while he was in a speedo, the night before his competition. This year has changed me. I learned this year that this place that I'm at, being a wife and a mom, is where I belong. I also learned that when you ask God to close the right doors and open the right doors, and He does it, you can't be devastated. I learned that there is nothing too monstrous and nothing too miniscule to pray about it.....it's all relative to God. Because I'm His child, and if it matters to me, it matters to Him. There was a heart shift in me this year. I don't even know how to explain it. Little things like when we were in Wisconsin and rented our minivan and I looked in the back and there were WAY too many empty seats. I have always hated minivans! Things like laying in bed at night and planning the addition on our house that will include more bedrooms and a school room. Like laying in bed at night with the face of a little girl in your head that you've never met before, that you've never even seen before......but having literal heartache from wanting to love her. Things like being fully entertained by watching Zella try on all of her jewelry and twirl for us or laughing hysterically at Cole break dancing. Or things like being at home on New Years Eve.....and being okay with it.
We have been beyond blessed by our church this year. To say that God is moving is a giant underexaggeration. I never, ever in my life, thought I would see my husband cry tears of joy over a child that he's never met, come home to a family. But then he saw Baby Ben. I have never watched people MOVE like this. There's a need, they just help. Every ministry....Praise Cares, Praise Prays, Praise Adopts, the Christmas and Thanksgiving outreach, Octoberfest.....It's overwhelming the hearts that have joined in this church. People with genuine hearts for people, because of their passion for God. And it's amazing to watch that passion grow in our own house, with all of us. We were listening to the radio the other day and there was a commercial for Focus on the Family and it said, "we will help you answer questions for your kids like 'Why did Jesus have to die?' " From the back seat Cole proclaims, "Duh! So all our sins could be washed away and we can be free! I knew that!" I didn't even care about the smarty pants attitude.....I was too busy trying not to convulse from being so proud.
I usually have goals for the coming year. And this year, I learned that my goals don't really count unless they are God's goals too. He's teaching me to get all worked up about the things that matter......and not the things that won't change a single thing. (Side note....I still need LOTS of work in this area!) So for 2012 my goal and my prayer are one in the same and very simple....I'm praying that we will go where God leads us........and be happy there.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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