The Best Year Yet

It has been a long time since I mourned the passing of a new year.

For quite some time I have welcomed the new year with a "Man, I'm glad that's over. Hopefully it will be better this year" mentality.

Looking back on 2007 I feel nothing but sadness in seeing it retreat. It was the year that I finally clawed my way into a position (dare I say career?) that actually pays the bills. It was the year that my house really became MY HOUSE. It was the year that John (the ex) no longer had control of me. It was the year that the girls really came into their own in many ways. It was the year that I finally felt solid in my friendships.

I am sad to see it go.

What in the world can 2008 hold? I know one thing for sure...it will be the year of painting the kitchen red. It will be the year of ripping up the living room carpet to reveal the awesome old wood floor beneath. It will be the year I plant some sort of perennial in the yard. It will be the year that I let go of resentments that I have been holding for so long that they have become a safety net. It will be a year of adventure and laughter with my girls. And it will be the year that my only resolution is to blog more often.

I'm excited.

Tis the Season

The girls and I have been talking.

We've been talking their entire lives. About anything and everything. They are smart and well-rounded and funny as hell.

And they totally get it.

They brought up the conversation about how artificial Christmas is. It started with them laughing hysterically at some toy commercials. They are sharp enough to point out that Bratz dolls, Barbies and My Scene dolls are all one in the same. Sophie noticed that if parents aren't willing to buy Bratz, they will probably let their kids have My Scene dolls. And everyone seems pretty fine with Barbies.

"I bet they are all by the same company Mom. That way they get the money no matter what. I don't want any Barbies this year. Everyone buys them for us and we have a hundred. I don't even play with them. What a waste of money."

Then we discussed artificial Christmas trees versus real. I like the idea of real, but love the ease of use of artificial. Our old artificial tree was showing its age, so we "Freecycled" it. When out shopping for another I kept walking back and forth in front of this tree thinking, "Oh no. I can't. Can I? Is it ridiculous? Oh my god, I love it. But I can't. Can I?" and on and on.

Finally I did.

The whole Christmas theme was identified. And the girls came up with the final them out of a few different contenders. It is.....

"Have an Artificial Christmas!"

I Feel Much Better - Thank You

Just in case you were worried that I have turned into an angry, profanity-spewing monster I thought I would post the letters that I wrote to the girls on Valentine's day. This blog is eventually for their benefit, so occasionally I should probably put something in it about them, eh?

________________________________
Maya,

I am so glad that you are my daughter. When you were born you changed my life forever. I never knew how much love I had in my heart until I saw you for the first time.

I am so proud of the person that you are becoming. You are so smart and funny! I remember being in fourth grade and how exciting it was when I realized I was growing up. It can be hard and frustrating sometimes, but it's the biggest adventure of your life.

Thank you for being so sweet and kind to your friends, your sister and me.

You are an amazing girl.

Mom

__________________________

Sophie,

What would I do without you? I cannot image my life without you in it. I love you so much it hurts - but in a good way! :)

I love your laughter and how you always sing in the shower. Did you know that you even sang in the bathtub when I gave you baths as a baby?

I think you were born happy. Not many people are lucky like that - so remember just how special you are.

You have a lot of friends because you are a good friend. Keep being that way! You have a way with people that will bring you a lot of joy in your life.

Thank you for being such a fantastic kid.

Mom