Welcoming the New Year

Baby Doll Chechups and Pizza

Jam Session!

Party Jammies & Hair Chalk

Home Made Noise Makers

The Happy Old Year: 2013

This year like any other had ups and downs, but I didn't realize how many bright spots there were until I started compiling this list. I am blessed. Here in semi-chronological order are 2013's greatest hits!

One of my posts was published on Healing Hamlet. It may not sound like a big deal, but any time my writing is appreciated is a huge deal to me. on January 25th

Theme park trip! on February 20th

Isaac switched from an AFO (a brace that goes up to the knee) to a Ucb (shoe insert). I switched braces as a kid a million times: bigger, smaller, none at all. It was NOT a linear progression, but for Isaac's simple case of club foot it is. Yay! on March 4th

Leeloo's First Birthday! on March 7th

Riley's first Leprechaun trap on March 17th.

Our First Wedding Anniversary on March 21st.

I opened an Etsy store. I made a bunch of pretty spring wreathes and listed them in my store, If I Only had the Time. I didn't sell any last year, but it was great to finally stop talking about it and do it. It leaves the door open to sell other things later. I like having it. In April.

Riley got her first haircut. On May 12th.

Riley started swimming without her floaties! In Summer 2013

I got braces again, which is kind of a bummer, but I needed them. There were a lot of changes in my gait over few years and it was time to correct so bad habits. I'm very grateful we could find someone who finally cared and wanted to help! I'm super thrilled to have relatively cute shoes for my braces too. Woohoo! In June.

Isaac finally got to go to Lego Robotics camp! In June.

The kids' first Disney trip! In July.

Riley started preschool in June, a summer program, but by fall we had moved her to her new school for pre-K 3 which she loves! Here's Riley and Isaac, 5th grade!, on the first day of school August 2013

Riley turned 4!

This summer I was asked to write a piece for a book of inspirational woman! I was actually nominated by someone who reads my blog. It was a great experience for me having a real life writing deadline to talk about myself. It was due to out by the holidays, but it will be available for Kindle and in print in January.

I had all the hardware removed from my back!on Sept 10th

Isaac won Honorable Mention in a costume contest at school for his Dr. Who costume. On October 24th

Riley carved her first pumpkin! on October 27th

First ever family costumes for Halloween. We were all characters from The Great and Powerful Oz: Mike was Oz, Isaac was a flying baboon, I was China Girl and Riley was G'linda. It was awesome. on October 31st

Isaac turned 11! on November 15th

Isaac's first report card of fifth grade was straight A's! December 21st

I've had an overall increase in mobility this year. I did not "ditch the crutches" as I had hoped I would, but I use them more than the wheelchair.

Goodbye 2013!

Resolution

RESOLVE:

1.to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full.
2.to separate into constituent or elementary parts; break up; cause or disintegrate (usually followed by into).
3.to reduce or convert by, or as by, breaking up or disintegration (usually followed by to or into).
4.to convert or transform by any process (often used reflexively).
5.to reduce by mental analysis (often followed by into).

I think it's funny that it means to stick to something AND to break something up. New Year's resolutions are funny that way too. They either propel you forward like a tank of gas or cause you to disintegrate. I rarely make them because I have plenty of resolve without a formal declaration at year's start. My goal this year is to pare down my remaining debit by half (at least). I also hope to ditch the crutches by year's end. Here's hoping.

I have only those resolutions, but I certainly have hopes. I hope the year brings my children wisdom and maturity (I'll settle for a slowing down of fits). I hope we get to travel (even if it's only to theme parks or weekend trips). I hope...hmmm...well apparently my hopes are few. That's probably for the best because "expectations are premeditated resentments."

I want to read more, laugh more and generally feel better. I can't wait to finally eat that stupid top tier of the wedding cake taking up valuable freezer space! I'm a little sad Leeloo will be all grown up this year. In 2013 I will have an 11 and 4 year old, whoa! I hope my car functions more. More date nights would be good too.

I don't feel overly excited to see the year end or the new one begin. I think it's more of that grown-up-ness and contentment. Happy New Year!

Howdy, 2012

Happy New Year From My Rockstars.

How do I begin? 2011 is over which isn't terribly emotional for me. 2012 however is. This is it, the year of my wedding. The year Isaac will turn 10! We will have been in the new house a year in April. Mike will have been at his job 2yrs this summer. Riley will have her first dance recital in June. Woah.

I have high hopes for complete recovery (and functionality)from this hip surgery in the very near future. I have some new opportunities on the horizon and I'm very excited. It just seems like all the struggle is starting to pay off. I don't want to whine and cry about how hard life has been, this isn't the year for that.

I'm optimistic and ready for the next chapter. I did my best to have a relaxed first day of the year, hoping the old "what you do one the first day of the year is what you'll do all year." I am very pleased to report that I slept until 10am! Well, I got up to help with pottying and breakfast and then got to lay down for most of the morning. I watched a movie and cuddled with poor sick Mike, which we didn't do nearly enough of last year. I had quite a few laughs with the kids, too.

I didn't even have to worry about dinner. We had a tradition of going to Mike's mom's for Hoppin' John (beans and rice) which is supposed to be good luck. It was a nice day with on exception Isaac (for the 3rd time in a row) just skipped a class project because he didn't feel like it. It's became a constant source of stress. He turned the other two in late for partial credit. This time it was assigned over Thanksgiving break and is due when he gets back and he didn't bring it up until after Christmas!

We've made it clear that he will complete ALL assignments whether it's too late to get credit or not. We've also been clear that we're not doing his work for him just because he waited until the last minute. Other people's procrastination is so stressful, but it's ten times as much when you're responsible for that person.

I resolve to be kinder to myself than I was last year. I also resolve to balance my time away from and with kids better. To remember my thank yous more than I forget them and to stop apologizing every time I get my way.

New Years Eve?

Who? Me? Well, I'm going to Jack Jack's Phineous and Ferb 2nd birthday party in the afternoon. Yay!! After that I plan to hit the grocery store and come home. I don't want to go anywhere. I want to watch movies and put Miss Roo to bed at a reasonable hour. Maybe something fun for dinner and then left over Christmas goodies?

I remember the first New Years Mike and I were together. I told him for over a month to get a sitter and in the end I was willing to take Isaac somewhere family friendly just to get out. It was a strange night. Last year my Dad and his wife volunteered to babysit. Mike and I dropped the kids off in their PJs around 8pm. We went out to dinner and picked up the kids before 10:30pm. Party animals, I know. I feel asleep before midnight and Mike woke me up at midnight for a kiss. It was a good night.

We'll ring in 2012 quietly, I think.