Closing Out 2013

Wishing you and your family health, happiness, creativity and vulnerability in 2014.

Both of these guys chillaxin'.  Roomies from the NICU.   Ringing in the New Year = Full Heart

And as we turn our faces to the new year, its easy to latch on to what we didn't do this year.  The goals we didn't reach.  Instead, I suggest we make a mantra for the day, week or year.  Perhaps, "life is a work in progress".  Or "Right here, right now." Or "I embrace change and let go of fear."  Because as we grow and change, our abilities to see the world clearly also grow and change.  When you realize everything… you actually have a number of accomplishments from the past year- the wisdom of which support you fully and completely, and anchor you in better knowing over 2013. Perhaps in 2014, the mantra no longer exists.  Yet the purpose, the intention, for which you repeat the mantra remains true.

Remember that all endings are just beginnings.

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."  ~Hal Borland

Little By Little

Progress is surely being made,  it just takes patience.

Please, hurry up.  I wanna move back into my room.  I will get my head stuck in a Duke basketball hoop if you don't giddy up!!!

In Honor of My First Born's 8th Bday

All is really well.  It's Nate's bday.  Nate and his best buddies will be running the streets at Dave & Buster's this weekend to celebrate.  

As he's growing older, I want to remember and tuck away all the happy memories so I can recall them all later.  I want to remember his conviction telling me Santa Claus was too fat to fit down chimneys so he is "obviously, definitely a myth" as I listened thoughtfully while driving him to school one morning. (for the record he is not allowed to ruin it for his firm--Santa Claus-believing friends.)

I want to remember how he talks sweetly to his little brother and will do anything crazy like throwing himself off the couch or destroying a wedgit tower just to incite his brother's laughter. 

I want to remember hanging out on my bed one night after LJ was asleep, and Nate and I listened to music and then would play our guitar.  Taking turns listening to each other as we attempted to make some reasonably, pleasant tunes.  

I want to remember how Nate asked if we could make creme brûlée again soon, because it was soooo yummy and it's now his favorite dessert.

I want to remember how, in trying to understand why his playlist was not on my computer he said "wait, what if Mom sunk my iPad…" I'd called that fair and had a discussion about sink versus sync.  Or another funny moment when he was trying to turn on his Nintendo wii but I had earlier messed with the cords inadvertently.  Once he saw the picture, he exclaimed "Why is this in black and white?!  What is this the 90's?"

My boy is growing up so quickly.  Seriously, I'm so grateful for his love and laughter.  Happy birthday, Nate!! I love you.