- Every time I think I might know something I get a lesson in humility. (This is a lesson I have learned many times, but apparently need to re-learn on a regular basis).
- Whenever I think I’m a good judge of character, I get taken in and find I have to re-learn that lesson repeatedly as well.
- I’ve learned a little German - very little - but a little. That’s a language I never thought I would be able to speak considering I can hardly speak English - but with my son’s ‘home base’ in Germany, it has become simplier for me to learn snipets of the language and I’m working on more.
- I’ve learned that going an entire year without taking a real vacation is not at all a good idea and a person gets tired and burned-out.
- I’ve learned I can keep a blog up for an entire year. Most of my hobbies have not lasted that long. I think there are addictive qualities to blogging that keep me involved in it.
- I’ve been surprised to see that anyone actually reads my blog.
- I have gotten to know some wonderful people blogging and gotten to know some family members better than I had before.
- I twisted my ankle for the first time in my life in the past year and learned that hurts like the dickens and takes forever to heal. I had no idea it hurt that badly and will forever have more sympathy for people who have ankle/foot problems.
- I’ve begun to realize that I don’t have the career ambitions I once had. I’ve started realizing I would like to do other things.
- I’ve learned that I really don’t like having my children live so far away. I really miss having them live within at least driving distance and dropping in periodically for swimming or dinner or something.
- I’ve realized that even with the kids gone my house still gets messy and I still get behind in my laundry. I guess that means I can’t continue to blame them for the messes.
- I’ve realized I don’t like having my daughter living on the other side of the country - although that is her choice and I wouldn’t want her to make a decision about that based on what I want.
- I’ve learned that even though I thought I was prepared to be the parent of a son at war I really wasn’t. The reality of him being in Baghdad is much harder than I ever imagined it would be.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Hi Beth!
I was not going to ask, but now I am very confused. Did you write “Wednesday Hero” or do you have a contributor? Since in Wednesday Hero it says “I do not have any children of my own” - then this post talks about your two children, well, it is confusing — LOL! Sorry to ask - but I am just confused. If someone else wrote Wednesday Hero they should ad least have put their name there to clarify that it was not you– or did you just do a typo….LOL!!! 
Anyhow, confused here a bit…..
BSC Beth: Hey Layla - the Wednesday Hero is written by Indian Chris - it’s a weekly article he writes and submits to a blogroll. After your question and my daughters question in that post I tried to make it clearer that I didn’t write the article!! I understand the confusion! lol I do have 2 children. If you are interested in the Wednesday Hero blogburst, I put a link on that post to Indian Chris’ blog.
1,2,6,7,11 especially! I enjoyed reading this.
A terrific list–as we’ve come to expect. It also reminds many of your readers about what is important. Thanks so much.
Here’s my TT for Dec. 28–THE TALK.
GREAT TT!
Happy New Year
RE: #2…I have accepted that I am NOT necessarily a good judge of character because I will ALWAYS assume the best in people and that they are acting with the best of intentions (even if I don’t agree with their actions) until they prove me wrong…and it sometimes takes several times.
Those are great lists. Great things to put in mind and in use. Thanks for sharing them.
My T13 is up too.
Very nice look back at 2006. As for #13 - you can never really know how you will react to a loved one’s deployment until it actually happens. And every deployment is different, because the circumstances of each deployment and where you are in your life at the time of the deployment are always changing. My husband is a Canadian army officer, and each time he has been deployed, my reaction has been different.
My thoughts and prayers are with your son, and with all the deployed personnel.
What a wonderful and touching T13. #13 is hard for me, too, - and he’s not even MY son. But I love him and I worry about him being in Iraq. I’ve learned that I can’t blame my messy house on my children either. However, after living by myself and having a house that was almost always neat and straight - and now living with a husband . . . .I think I know who to blame! LOL!
My best friend’s husband is in Iraq right now. Through her eyes, I have come to appreciate our troops and their families all the more.
And people are unpredictable. First impressions aren’t always reliable. They may seem like someone wonderful and then catch you off guard. It’s a lesson I relearn a lot too.
My 13 are up. I moved my blog and this is my first 13 in my new digs.
I’m so with you on #2!!!
I love your list!
This is a touching list….I hope that your son is safe and gets to come soon!
Happy New Year!!!!
It’s almost as if you knew I’d read your blog today and try to make me feel guilty! I’ll move back to your side of the country sometime and I’ll see you in March!
BTW - No matter what your ambitions are professionally, you are great at what you do. I’ve always looked up to you. (Even though at times I tell you how to do your job
) Don’t let recent events worry you too much, you can never predict people’s actions, and they always full of surprises. That is totally out of your control, just teaches you to not be so trusting. Now it is time to crack down and set some examples!
RE: I’ve started realizing I would like to do other things.
I am so with you on this.
And I too find that even though my daughter married and moved away there’s still tons of laundry around!
Sending blessing your son’s way.
Have a safe and happy New Year,
Frances
i enjoyed this list a lot. we are always learning.
my tt is up.
Great list. I worry about your son too….I guess when you actually know someone over there it makes a difference. Good luck on learning German, I need to be working on Spanish and just keep procrastinating!
When you realize that you’re never, ever done learning…you’ve already taken a huge step forward. (Then again, if we didn’t constantly learn, we’d start stagnating fairly quickly, and we’d get bored with ourselves and with those around us.)
Happy new year!
Great list! I’m with you on the humility thing. Everytime I think I have it, something else happens.
My husband is in Ramadi. We’re halfway through our deployment. You and your son and the rest of your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. THANK YOU ALL for your sacrifices. Stop by my blog every now and then. I post as many positive things I can about this deployment. God is with you on this…
When is your son due home?
Hope your son comes home safe and sound to you soon.
LOL! Thanks for clearing that up Beth! Whew! Gosh I thought I was losing my mind - honestly! LOL!
Anyhow, thanks for the link you left at that post–I will check it out! Glad to know that I am still sane Beth! Happy New Year hun! 
This is a really great T13 list. I like how you’ve listed all you’ve learned this year. I can totally relate to the having to “re-learn” certain lessons. It seems like I always have to learn my biggest lessons the hard way, and sometimes two or three times.
I love your blog! You shouldn’t be surprised that people come and read it. You’ve done well here, for sure.
Thanks for visiting my T13. I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2007 full of blessings and happiness.
I’m surprised that anyone reads my blog too! But I have to say that your blog blows mine out of the water…including your list. I also am surprised that I have kept up with blogging…probably because it allows me to be connected to others in a way that would probably not happen otherwise.
God bless you and your family in 2007…especially your son. Please accept my thanks for his service.