Monday, January 5, 2015

2014 In Review

I missed updating my blog in November.  It's the first month in almost two years that I haven't written.  But I am back on the train and excited to look back, remember, and evaluate 2014 in the eyes of the LaPortas. 

I can say without a doubt it has been the toughest year we have seen.  It was a year of minor and major changes and adjustments.  We have had to constantly stop, re-evaluate, and make changes in order to not just survive, but to hopefully thrive.   

There are three major things that come to mind when I think of 2014...

The first is baseball.  We began the year jobless, but still hopeful.  And then it happened.  The Baltimore Orioles called and wanted Matt to come to spring training.  We were thrilled, and felt like this was his big opportunity.  We were ready to pack our bags and head to Virginia for AAA, with big dreams of getting that call-up.  And then we were back to square one when they released Matt during the last week of spring training.  To be honest, we were shocked.  We hadn't really entertained the possibility of him not making the team.  It felt surreal, and still does.  

We agreed that Matt needed to go to Mexico if not for any reason, but to test the pain levels in his hip.  After two surgeries in four years, his hip has continued to give him pain.  He played quite well in Mexico, but not without pain.  He came to the very difficult decision that the pain in his hip would never allow him to play up to his potential and at the level he dreamed about.  So he retired and came home.  

It happened so fast.  We knew his career was potentially winding down in the next few years, but not THIS year.  Not so sudden.  Not without at least one more opportunity to prove himself.  But here we are and there's no going back.  It really is over.  In difficult moments, the pain and loss of this dream can still take my breath away.  It is the death of his dream turned OUR dream.  The visions we had of bringing our boys to his games, of cheering him on in the All-Star game, of watching him hit balls out of the park, of spending time together traveling to different cities to watch him play are over, and that is hard to swallow.

But you know what's interesting?  In our world, this was one of the worst scenarios we could have imagined, and guess what?  We are still here.  We are still trusting God.  We are still outrageously blessed and happy.  The loss of baseball was an unexpected and extremely difficult trial, and we are not completely healed yet, but we are doing better than I ever could have imagined considering.

The second thing I think of is Beachbody.  On January 5, 2014, I signed up to be a Beachbody coach.  I was scared, skeptical, and even embarrassed.  But I put one foot in front of the other, and slowly, but surely, I have gained confidence, belief, credibility, and built an income greater than I could have imagined in my first year.  Beachbody has added a certain level of busyness to my life, but it's made me more productive and effective in other areas.  As we laid down the dream of baseball, God birthed a new dream for our family in Beachbody. 

The third thing I think about are my children.  I am busier than ever this time around, yet I feel like on most (some) days, I am doing a better job of taking it all in, and enjoying the precious time that my babies are actually babies.  Don't get me wrong, it has been tough.  We get burnt out.  We have days when we don't want to be parents anymore.  It is rare that I get a full 24 hours away, and boy, do I miss waking up in the morning with NOTHING to do, NO ONE to feed or change or entertain.  But they are my treasures. 

Sienna is social.  She hates to eat alone.  She thinks everyone wants to be her friend, and can't understand why someone wouldn't want to play with her.  She loves going to church.  She has several "best friends".  She is abnormally sensitive to what those around her are feeling.  She seems very smart.  She talks a LOT.  She loves to explain things to you in a very adult manner.  She adores her brothers.  She is always taking care of her "babies".  She loves Frozen, Mickey Mouse, dressing up in dresses, reading books before bedtime, playing "restaurant" (especially now that she has a her own cash register), sweets and treats, and presents.  She is as spunky as I've seen.  She loves to be in charge and boss everyone around.  She is a leader.  As soon as we say "No", she begins her negotiations.  She loves her grandparents.  She is extremely active and quick on her feet.  She is fearless and loves to jump off of apparatus' that in my opinion are probably too high.  I couldn't have imagined a more vivacious, lively, beautiful, fun, and kind little girl.  

Price has a sweetness about him that I can't explain.  Maybe it's his cherub(esque) face or those big puppy-dog eyes, but he is incredibly tender and gentle.  He freely gives big, open-mouth, sloppy kisses to nearly everyone, but Sienna receives the most.  He is by far the most affectionate of all three of my children, often initiating hugs and kisses with his siblings.  He grunts and groans and pants and huffs as he crawls, walks, and climbs.  While Sienna and Maddox are off to the races  at a playground, Price is content to just sit with Mama and watch everyone.  He is a huge open-mouth grin.  He took his first steps at 13 months, and just now at 14 months is he really comfortable walking, although he walks with one hand in the air.  He points at everything that interests him.  He loves to stand up on the couch and look out the window at the cars driving by.  Both Price and Maddox, LOVE to be outside.  If the front door is open even for a moment, they race over, planning their escape, and then cry when I close it.  Price eats more than any baby I've encountered.  At 14 months, in one sitting, he will eat 1/2 peanut butter and jelly sandwich, 1/2 avocado, 1 banana, and a slice of cheese.  He is not picky, and if their is food on the table, he will eat it.  Price doesn't cry as often as Sienna or Maddox, but when he is upset, HE.IS.UPSET.  He has a bit of a temper on him!  I believe Price will be my peace-keeper and my rock amidst the chaos.  

Maddox has an infectious, mischievous grin.  He always looks like he is "up to something".  He reminds me the most of Sienna, very alert and observant, and always wants to be in the middle of things.  Maddox loves his mama.  Typically, if I am not the one to pick him up out of his crib in the mornings, he gets upset.  He loves his blankets, clutching one in his fist, and holding it near his cheek.  Despite his constant activity, he is the only one who will really REST in our arms, especially is he has a pacifier and blanket in hand.  Matt and I treasure those moments of Maddox cuddles.  He is very emotional, probably more emotional and sensitive than Sienna was.  Like her, he wears his heart on his sleeve, and you always know how he is feeling.  He is either the happiest boy in baby on the block or the saddest.  There is no in between with Maddox.  Both Price and Maddox love smacking their lips together, and in Maddox's case, it means he is hungry or thirsty.  Maddox loves breakfast, and eats 3/4 cups of oatmeal with peanut butter and honey!  The problem is, I think he consumes all of his calories in the morning, as he doesn't eat nearly as much at lunch or dinner.  Maddox has the best laugh, and Daddy makes him laugh the most.  Maddox is going to be a charismatic leader, like his Daddy.  As a matter of fact, between his physical appearance and personality, he is by far, the MOST like his Daddy.  

Watching my children grow up, interact, and feeling my heart expand to love each one wholly and fully has been my greatest gift this year.  Really, I couldn't have imagined two greater additions to our family, than Price and Maddox.