A Fresh Start

I'm counting down the days until the new year, welcoming a fresh start for our family. Electronics are going to be falling to the wayside while more family oriented activities, walks, games, and exercise will be introduced. We are committing to doing more together and to becoming the close knit family we have wanted but haven't been working towards these past almost fourteen years. After much reflection and a lot of talking, Ryan and I have come to the conclusion that we have been growing apart rather than together. He has had his life with work and friends and the kids and I have had mine with the kids and friends. We have not had a life that mixed that all together and we were going our separate ways without acknowledging it to each other. Unfortunately, I think our kids have noticed, whether they say anything or not and neither of us want them to suffer because of our actions.

Ryan will be heading home sometime at the beginning of the year and we expect date nights to increase, along with family fun nights and weekends, and more communication. After all, what's a family without time spent together with laughter and talking? It amazes me that it took fourteen years to finally figure it out. We had a rude wake up call during his visit home three weeks ago and I hope we never ever get back to that place. I hope that we can continue to look forward and only get stronger together. I'm so excited for him to come back home. I hope he is too!