I have been thinking about turning all of my blog posts into a book. Maybe, the girls' may want to look back on 2011, maybe they won't.

I don't want to forget the day-to-day. All of the interesting things that have happened this year- in our life. The Joy. The regrets. All of it. The daily tidbits- that in turn, make up our life.

So this was our 2011:

                        ( 2011: The year that Ashlynn graduated Kindergarten)

                          (2011: the year that miracles truly did happen)

                          (2011: the year that Mia Love turned ONE)

   (2011: the year I found and NYC and discovered that I truly love that place)

                                (2011: the year my diva Avery turned 4)

And, I couldn't leave this out: 2011 was the year that I decided to chase my dreams with nursing school. The year Daniel cheered me on.

I know that most people declare their New Year's resolutions on this day, or maybe before. I'm not going the masses this year. I  have decided to take a more kinder, gentler approach to the year 2012.  I'm only partaking in the deadlines that come from school work. No timelines for me. Lessening of the pressure of life itself. But, promises of the life attempted.

Promises to be me. Promises to just BE. Promises to be a good Mama to those three beautiful girls. Promises to not worry so much about the future, but to focus on the very moments before my eyes.

Promises to be good to my family.

Promises to be a better for friend. Promises to be the friends that are friends to me. Because, this year... I have been a terrible friend- receiving and not giving, like those girls, that I call friends.

And, finally... I have decide that I am going to trust in God's plan- no matter where that takes me.

So, in 2012, I plan to look forwards, and not backwards... knowing that it is completely out of my control. However, I plan to accept it as it comes.

These are the things that I promise to myself.

And I am incredibly thankful for 2011. Knowing that much of it was out of my control, and while it seemed so horrible at times- many times. I am thankful that I had it... to ground me... and to humble me.

So instead of the typical New Year's resolutions... I look forward to much progress.

I know that you are much interested in Daniel's progress. Here's an update. Daniel's laboratory values are continuing to improve. Which is better news around this house. His platelets on Wednesday were a whopping 76! The low end of the "normal" spectrum is 130. He is getting there. With a lowered dose of immunosuppressants comes other problems. He is now battling a BK Virus. It is a horrible virus involving the urinary system. You can google it if you choose. Anyway, things will be much better for him when this virus makes it's way through his system. We have been told that it could take a month or so. By now, we should be used to this. However, we aren't. He has not had to take any doses of insulin for a few weeks now. So, it is my assumption, that the diabetes is no longer present. He saw an eye specialist (the 2nd) one. This eye specialist treats many bone marrow transplant folks- and he is wonderful. Daniel is taking a new regimen of eye drops, and supplements to help with the GVHD in his eyes. It is the doctor's hopes that the chronic dry eyes will eventually resolve themselves with the proper treatment. He did mention to us that Daniel's case is not the absolute worst that he has seen. So for now... that is where we stand.

I wish each and everyone of you a splendid 2012! XO Kristin