Happy New Year!

For new years eve we always let the kids stay up and play games. We eat plenty of snacks and make Shirley-temples in plastic champagne glasses. We'll turn on the TV in the last minutes of the year to watch the ball drop in NYC. Then we'll cheer as if something new and wonderful has just taken place. Then it's off to bed.

This year we invited the Petitt family to join us. I bought crowns, beads and horns (the horns were most "delightful" to the daddies {evil laugh}).

After midnight. Not wound down yet.

Here are some highlights from the year so far.

Alex

Josiah

Autumn slept with her hair in pins, this is the stunning result.

Things I've learned so far this year:

1) My memory is terrible. I just figured out yesterday that that is due to the fact that I have not been "with child" for more than three years. I tell time in babies. Also, placentas aren't real. That's totally made up to make mothers feel better. That thing you have to give one more good push to get out is actually a part of your brain that has swollen to a peculiar size. If I had no children I'd still know everything and my memory wouldn't even matter because nobody would ask me "when did that happen?" or "what is that?" or "what are we doing?" or "who are you?" 

2) Lora and Jorja are heavy. 

Some number of years ago, more than I think, Lora was 15 months old when Jorja was born. I became expert at rocking two little people to sleep and then taking those tiny sleepy beauties down the hall and putting them in their own separate cribs.

I can't do that for them anymore. But it is still nice to have them fall asleep on me.

3) One of Ava's favorite games is "That's my Mama." It's sweet. It would be sweeter if all the children she chooses to play that game with were lighter and had duller elbows.

4) New Years day seems very similar to the day before and the day after. Except the children sleep later.

5) I don't make resolutions. I don't have a good reason. 

I could resolve to loose some of this gut. But I'm fat and happy. 

I could resolve to quit doing something, but that means I'd have to start doing something first.

I could resolve to save money but that implies that there is extra money to set aside.

I could resolve to do better. But I just don't want to. 

6) I am respected. A small group of people think I'm "mature" or "experience" or "grounded" or even that I have good ideas. They seek my advice or help. (This really is a new thought - I kinda seemed to think I was mostly ignored). This respect can make you feel about three inches tall and totally immature. It is also followed by very weighty decisions about how best to serve God - in my home, church and community. 

Makes me wonder if being ignored was a happier place. It wasn't. But it did involve more naps.

7) I am despised. A group of people (small? large? who cares!) think I'm weird. Peculiar. That I'm a liar. That I'm the meanest, grumpiest, so and so. They bad-mouth me. They've hurt me. They may turn their backs on me. This dislike can you feel about three inches tall and totally neglected. It is also followed by the very weighty decision to just get out of bed every day and push onward. Makes me wonder who really loves me. Makes me wonder if I should just keep my mouth shut. Makes me doubt.

8) I am commanded and promised. #6 and #7 don't even matter. 

9) It's okay. 

Life's hard. Sometimes it really sucks! 

The world keeps spinning. It's okay. 

Having the peace that passes understanding is awesome.

Enjoy the journey homeward.

10) Gene gets more wonderful with every passing day. He is the best blessing ever. 

Hope your new year is going well and that you'll be writing 2014 on your checks soon.

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; 

and cause his face to shine upon us; 

Selah.

~Psalm 67:1~

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.

~Number 6:24-27~