From Ohio to Georgia, Georgia to Ohio....and everywhere in between!

Ok, so usually you see greetings sent in Christmas cards, or even updates on families detailing what has happened in their lives in that particular year. I wasn't going to give out anything, primarily because I never get the time to do such things. However, I thought since its New Years Eve, last day before heading into 2011, I felt strongly about letting many of you know what is happening in the lives of the Haybergs since 2010 began.

So many of you already know we made a move back from Georgia, to Ohio this past year. We came back about 6 months ago, in June. Not having a place to come home to, we bounced around from family to family, and yes, bringing all 5 kids and our insanely heavy luggage (girls!) haha It was quite the adventure. With our highs and lows, frustrations and excitements, the construction on our home was almost complete when we moved in. And with a few days to spare before the kids started school....don't you just love timing! :)

Adjustments to new schools (again) getting back into our church (again) and unpacking a mountain of boxes (again), life started to settle a bit for us. In all honesty, I feel blessed. Obviously blessed with my husband, my family, my kids, and what God has provided for us, no matter where we have lived this year. And even blessed in the craziness of moving and unpacking many times over, and all the frustrations that went along with it. I never would have learned to be content, no matter where I am or what is going on in my life (Phil 4:11) Nor would I have come to meet all the amazing and wonderful people and families that I have relationships with now. That would never have happened if we wouldn't have taken the leap of faith to move out of our comfort zones. Strangely enough, I had done nothing but pray for God to take me out of my comfort zone the year prior!

So pressing on, the kids got involved in their activities and sports here, which meant many days of chaufferuring from one place to the next, eating on the run, and late nights trying to finish homework and catching up on housework and laundry. Lewis and I are still so proud of everyone of them with their talents and achievements! Looking back this past year, our oldest, Lewis IV graduated high school and is now full swing in college! (sometimes I still can't believe it) And then there is Alex, who made a huge transition moving from Florida back to Ohio, especially in his senior year! I'm so impressed with how he has juggled everything in the last few months. Even with the loss of his best friend Jon, who passed away tragically in early August. We are still dealing with the effects of that, unfortunately we are learning this comes with grief and loss. We can only trust God is in control and one day, Alex will be able to use that to help someone else in need. Alex will also be venturing out into the college realm after graduating this upcoming Spring.

So, onward to Corrin, our daughter...she is quite the soccer dynamo! :) As a sophomore, its crazy to say we are already looking at colleges for her to play soccer! Did I mention this life thing is going way too fast? She entered the world of sweet 16 last month, and I'm still in shock! She will very soon have her license too (yikes). She loves drama (go figure), acting, and the all too obvious soccer :) And as for our next girl, Savannah, she's in 7th grade and finished up her first soccer season playing for Dover! She's continuing gymnastics/tumbling, as she did in Georgia. And she is coming more out of her shell, letting all her teachers at school know that she loves to talk! (this isn't always good) Savannah will journey into the "teenage years" this year, giving us 4 teenagers....are you kidding me?? Ok, so now to Trenton "the football beast" Hayberg! Sometimes it scares me to death to see him playing football, especially when he goes up against 100lb 3rd graders! However, he is good at it! He's the typical 6yr old, loves sports, and lots and lots of video games! And last, but of course not least, there is our baby Abbey. She's not a baby no more, she's a big 3yr old with lots of attitude and determination! She is quite the spunky, free-spirited, adventurous, wild, and horse loving girl :) She developed a love for horses while we were in Georgia, and she has never strayed from it! She did gymnastics the entire year in Georgia, just like her big sis, and she just wrapped up her dance classes with Urban Dance Factory. She loved it! She will start basketball and swimming this upcoming month.

And Lewis, my husband is hard at work trying to feed all those mouths and pay for everything that comes along with raising an army! Some of you know this already, but he will be saying goodbye to his 30's next week....and HELLO 40!! :) As for myself, I stay busy at home! I still love to run (weather permitting), I've finished two 10 k races and two half-marathons this year! I would love to run my first full marathon this upcoming year (yes I'm insane...or just plain stupid) :) I clean a lot, do an obscene amount of laundry, and I'm still unpacking (yes, after 4 months). Life is always busy, but I really couldn't imagine it any other way!

Not only has life been busy, it has been different for sure. Its amazing how you can move away for just a year and come back to what you left and everything has changed. It forces you to a place of maturity, and acceptance. To move forward, even though things are sometimes harder than you remember. And to open up your life t new things, new relationships, and new surroundings. Usually leaving a year behind and starting new means to forget that year, especially if it was a hard one. I don't want to forget 2010. I want to remember the good things of this year, taking them into the new one. I want to take the bad things from this year, learn from my hurts and mistakes, so I can do it differently in the the new year.

Most importantly, I want to walk (or run, haha) into 2011 with my eyes open. Sometimes I felt like I've lived the last few months of 2010 with my eyes closed. Too concerned with immaterial things, stuff I cannot change, and things that just don't matter. I have winced at a lot of hurt. I have been blinded by situations in life and tried to mask them. My eyes have been dim to those who have taken advantage of others over and over. I want to keep my eyes wide open for doors that God may open up, as well as to guard myself, and my family, and to discern what is good and what is evil. Obviously, I want to be a better wife, mother, sister, daughter, and child of God. Of course I want to eat right, exercise, organize my life, take more time for family and friends, and be that listening ear that everyone needs. But overall, I want to do all these things with my eyes open. I don't want to miss a minute of anything, because life comes fast.

I can only give thanks to Jesus, my Savior, for everything in my life. For loving me, despite my decisions or behavior. For giving me the grace, love and comfort that I could not get anywhere else! Thanks to everyone who has stood by us this year, praying for us. Happy New Year to all my family and friends, old and new. I will pray that 2011 will bring all of you wonderful adventures and that we will all walk into the new year with our eyes open!

Love and God Bless you all!

Alexi