This morning, as I snuggle Leo in my jammies while enjoying my morning coffee, I realize it's time to ponder the highlights of this year about to come to a close... As for the hard lessons we've all learned, I think I'll keep those to myself for today and just focus on the best things about the past 12 months...
1. Leo's birth and happy homecoming after 8 days in the NICU. To our doctors and nurses, we send our gratitude. To my parents who kept us afloat at home, we can never fully express our thanks.
2. Horseback riding lessons. Beautiful animals, a great teacher, all kids involved in ONE activity all at the same time, once per week = happy mommy, happy kids, more time at home = win, win, win. It was a good month, while it lasted. :)
3. Turning 40. I feel I am more justified in asserting my opinion about things now that I've reached this milestone. At the same time, I am increasingly aware that there's more to consider in life than just my gut reaction to things... It took me 40 years to figure this out? Ahem, returning to the positive...
4. Vision Therapy. At the recommendation of my dear friend, and at the prompting of a reading specialist, we had all kids evaluated by pediatric optometrists with special training in vision therapy. After fitting with new glasses and many months of eye exercises, we can see a huge difference in academic progress. So grateful to be led in the direction of these capable women.
5. Homeschooling. Every year we come up with more reasons why we're thrilled to be able to do this in our family. It's not perfect every day, but I love the creativity I see in my kiddos, the fact that I know exactly where they are strong and weak, and the togetherness we experience.
6. Our kitties. Well, we've learned more than we cared to about the circle of life this year, but our sweet pets add much joy to our daily lives. Hamlet is a big, fat ball of carmel and white, and Tiger is his smaller, gray striped counterpart. They are affectionate and funny and good hunters.
7. A week on Lake Michigan. With Grandma and Pada and no agenda, we had a lovely week of relaxation on one of the nicest beaches I've ever seen.
8. A new nephew on the way!! His mommy Sara was really sick early on in her pregnancy, and we're so happy that she's healthy now. New baby will be here in a few months.
9. Ignace receives 'Most Underrated Defensive Player' award from his basketball coaches. :)
10. Ballet. We have serious love of this art form in our family, and this year there were two big events: Felicity's first recital and Lucy's first pre-pointe shoes.
11. Lego love. Thanks to Victor's insatiable fondness of Lego-building, we took a spur-of-the-moment birthday trip to Chicago to visit their Lego store (among other things). We even muscled through a blizzard to get there and were rewarded by a beautiful Michigan Avenue winter wonderland. In spite of the organizational challenges, I love the satisfaction the kids experience when they complete a project.
12. 12 years of marriage. So grateful for my husband. He makes me laugh, works like a draft horse for us, and supports me in my efforts at home. This is cliche, but when I hear a person refer to another as his 'rock,' I know emphatically what that means...
I could go on, it's been a good year, but I'll end by wishing all who visit this blog a very happy and healthy 2013!!
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