Goodbye to one, Hello to another....

First, I would like to say, Happy New Year to all! May the year 2009 hold promise and hope for all out there. May 2008 be a fond, happy memory for you all. Hopefully you all have little regret and much promise from this year. It has been a long one for me. Every day I have worked hard to make it great for those around me, I have tried to experience joy in the little things. I have found importance in small moments, and in the simplenes of everyday life. Things like my daughter's smile, my son's confidence, and my younger son's discovery of who he will be. THat is the journey I am taking. It took me a long time to find myself, well not to find myself, but to feel comfortable in my own skin, again, for the most part. There are times that I feel like an awkward young girl, kind of strange to me and those around me, but I guess that is normal. It is normal to me anyhow. There are other times when I feel safe and protected. There are other times when I feel burdened, emotionally, and it makes me nervous. SO, these are the things that I feel and have felt over the past few years. These are the things that I discovered about myself. I learned that the sun shines no matter what we go through, that the night comes even when we don't want it to. I learned that life goes on, even when it stops for others. I learned that time is fleeting, that it slips through our life and that we wake up one day and we aren't 10, or 15, or even 25 anymore. We have only time to forge relationships, to strengthen them and to love those in them. Time takes away what we love the most, and who we love the most. Each passing year is to be cherished. Our children grow, that is natural, although we don't want them to they just do. My baby is no longer a baby. My son is almost a man. All three make me proud when they accomplish litle things. All three make me proud when they accomplish great things. It isn't either that is more important, but that they do grow and accomplish. That is the importance. I miss the cute smiles and the poses for the camera, from both boys, but am glad that they can read, walk, talk, and express ideas. My daughter, she still poses for the camera, but she too has made strides toward growth. She is a great reader, enjoys just picking up the book, and acomplishing the story. She loves to write, and talk about it. All these things I am greatful for. Time for all of us to slow down the pace, and realize that financial markets will ebb and flow, will crash and burn, will reach high and low points. Bigger isn't always better, simplify our lives, enjoy our lives. If someone is working 60-70 hours a week, how can he or she enjoy the fruits of their labor? Sure, you own that huge house, but do you get to sit on the sofa with your kids and play scrabble, do you get to learn what their hopes and dreams are? Or is this the Nanny's job? My wish for 2009 is to have folks learn about their children, enjoy their children, enjoy the company of their spouse, to stop and watch the seagulls fly by us at the bay, or the crows in the cornfield (Clif that one is for you) or whatever turns you on. Less stress for the New Year, more love, companionship and friendship. Elvis Costello said something that always sticks in my head:"What's so funy 'bout peace, love and understanding?"
Happy New Year to all!

BUSY

Things have been slow around here lately. My blog, I mean. The household has been extremely busy! We went to Maryland for the Cal RIpken Jr. tournament. The boys got to play in Cal Sr. Stadium. That was awsome. It is like a minor league ballpark set up for kids. Stadium seats and all! They lost in the first round of playoffs, and we got home early. Patrick has been named to the JV football team, and even on Saturdays he has practice. They had their first game yesterday, and lost to a tough team. Patrick, bieng one of the 9th graders, didn't even get put into the game. That is ok, his turn will come. Daniel is going out for the 7th and 8th grade squad, and he even has practice on the weekends. He is also committed to playing fall baseball, so there are times when he goes from one practice to another. Our lives have been extremely busy and continue to be so, but I feel so much better when it is busy. The kids are adjusting well to school, and to their sports schedule. They are active involved kids and don't have the time to find bad activities. Statistics say that involved kids make better students and are least likely to get into "trouble." I try not to over tax my kids, let them pick an activity that they are comfortable with and run with it! One activity a season. I won't get them into 20 clubs and 4 or 5 sports and overschedule their lives. That makes for an insane mother and an overanxious child. Not to mention the many many family dinners that are missed. I too am a believer in sitting down with the kids at dinner time. I will sit and talk even when dinner has passed and the kids are getting in late from athletics. There are times when we MUST eat before they get home, Scott has work two nights a week and is leaving when they step off of the bus, but I make sure that they have a warm meal and some company at the table. Conversation is the key there, even over meatloaf, Patrick's least favorite meal. I don't serve it too often, I enjoy eating it, but hate making it.
So, that has been my life, a little disorganized, but busy. I know that as the kids grow, there is little opportunity for the "quiet times," cuddles on the couch, etc. I enjoy the moments that I have with my kids, I enjoy the small accomplishments, and the large ones. I like to peek in on them when they are sleeping, just to remember the little faces that have grown into large ones. I don't miss the diaper changes, but I do miss the baby oil and baby powder after a bath, the cute fuzzy outfits that kept them warm in the winter, and the little socks that they used to pull off of their feet. I know that I would be insane to have an infant in this house now, to start all over, there is no way that I want that, I just wish they would have been little a while longer, I appreciate that time now, even the witching hours that lasted hours, at times.
Well, that is all for now, thoughts on a chilly Sunday morning....