Goodbye 2011

WOW this year has FLOWN by, so i was thinking of my year and what all happened and the ups and downs and how it is coming to an end and all the things that i experienced and the wonderful people i have met along the way. So i decided i would blog about all the ups and downs us Rodewald's experienced.

Jan 2011- we spent our last month stationed at Fort Lewis, i enjoyed every chance i got hanging out with Heather and Lainee, going to costco with them, and watching the girls play together cause they were growing up so fast! Jennika was moved into a toddler bed, and she suddenly  became a big girl over night!

Feb 2011- we found out we were having another baby girl! we left WA and started our journey to Fort Campbell KY, we spent a week with John's family in oregon, John went to Chicago to watch his brother graduate navy basic, we picked up my mom and traveled for 3 days to get to KY, got to see so many places i have never seen!

Mar 2011- we moved into our new house and unpacked and organized in 2 days! it was awesome to have my mom there to help and being pregnant it was a relief to have everything done! we went to Atlanta GA for the first time and took Jennika to the zoo aquarium, and to the world of Coke! it was awesome! and so much fun to say "oh I've been there!"

Apr 2011- We got settled into the house, met the neighbors who turned out to be the best neighbors we have ever had, enjoyed BBQs and beer pong in their garage! Mom went back to CA and we were getting back to our routine and starting to feel at home, we then went to SC at the end of Apr to see Josh, Michelle, and Sophee! got to see the beach which was AWESOME i so missed the salt water! and had a blast watching the girls play together!

May 2011- relaxing month didn't do much but enjoyed ourselves and Jennika was growing up way too fast!

June 2011- I met a wonderful family, The Davis' turned out Katelyn and I were only 2 weeks apart in pregnancy and Jack and Jennika are 3 months apart. and talking to her was so easy and watching Jack and Jennika play was like they knew each other their whole life! mom came back to be there for the birth of Ruth. and we did lots of prepping for Ruth's arrival!

July 2011- We welcomed into the world Ruth Marie Rodewald! and getting used to having 2 children under 2 was easier than i expected! Jennika was LOVING having a little sister and had to get used to not being the only child. which she transitioned very well!

Aug 2011- Mom went home and we tried to enjoy the hot weather....Jennika was continuing her Dance and Gymnastic classes and she was talking more and signing a whole lot more!

Sept 2011- Jennika got potty trained!!!!! took 3 days and we went from 4 accidents to none in 5 days! and boy did she LOVE wearing her big girl panties! i turned 23, and enjoyed a dinner with my awesome friends! plus took a shot of grey goose at my birthday dinner and got to almost pee my pants with my neighbor driving me home haha in my car! haha

Oct 2011- the girls and i went on our first plane ride together alone to oregon for Joe's vigil and to have our family meet Ruth. enjoyed super late nights with the family. came home and prepped for another plane trip to take my mom to New York for our first time and her 50th birthday! got to experience the first snow in Times Square! the girls were AWESOME! and again being able to see things that i never thought i would see in my life is amazing! closed the month with a great halloween with family and friends!

Nov 2011- after new york i came to prep for our move in dec only to find out that we would be moving in 12 days and i had to pack up and leave some of the greatest friends i have ever met. it was a sad month and i still miss living next to my neighbors and going to Katelyn's to let the kids play! but we drove out to Fort Bragg NC and thank god we found a home within an hr of being here and got moved in in a day n a half. again if my mom wasn't here to help me i wouldn't have been able to do it at all!

Dec 2011- John turned 26, Jennika turned 2. i got the house mostly unpacked and John helped when he got home from Airborne school, we went to FT Campbell for Jennika's birthday and were thankful to stay at the Davis home while we were there. and i got to spend some time with my friends again! came home and celebrated christmas with Josiah and ended the month meeting new friends!

This year has been a great year over all. and looking back i am proud of myself for getting out and meeting new people and doing good deeds. today i offered my home up to a family i barely knew to have a birthday party for their daughter. a year ago i would have NEVER done that. and i am so glad i did because i had a great day of conversation and watching Jennika make new friends, and wow did she have a blast. I have to say that this year i have changed for the better, i now open myself up more and it may bite me in the butt later on but i won't regret it. I have met some awesome people and if i am going to be moving around so much i need to learn to get myself out of my comfort zone (which is what i did tonight) and meet people that may of may not turn out to be wonderful friends but if i don't take the chance i will never know. its just like how i met Katelyn, she posted on a campbell page to see pictures of 3bdrm homes in our neighborhood. and turns out i know for a fact that her and her family will always be a part of my life. I also could have stayed like a hermit in my house and not met my neighbors and became so close to them, they also will be a big part of my life forever!

So heres to a new year and new experiences and getting myself out of my comfort zone! because if i never would have gone out and did things i would have never met the few people that changed my life for the better!

Happy New Year!

Ashley!