Hello, 2012! The first thing that comes to mind regarding the year 2012 is the whole Mayan end-of-the-world thing. And the disaster movie by that name in my Netflix queue that I should probably move higher on the list. You know, just in case.

But aside from all that dramatic stuff, actually reaching 2012 presents some interesting time-related tidbits:

• The Cowtown Half Marathon that was next year is now next month, less than eight weeks away. My training is going great, so well that I’m having to fight the temptation to run more than my training plan prescribes.
• My younger son turns two later this month. TWO.
• Jenny’s nursing school, which has been a fairly nebulous future concept, is now an event that starts next August. Whoa. Which means that in about 3 1/2 years (May 2015), she’ll be an official RN.
• Brenden starts kindergarten next fall (Aug 2013), probably at Bear Creek Elementary right by our house.
• Jonathan just started preschool for the first time! (pics soon, I promise!).
• In less than a year, Jenny and I will hit our 10-year anniversary. That almost sounds like we’re grown-ups.

So I am excited about this new year. It’s also a big year for me at work with new aircraft (737-800 and 717-200), the beginning of integration between Southwest and AirTran, and a new labor contract if the negotiators can get it done. I wish all of you a wonderful 2012!