2008………the year of “growth”

Looking back over the year, the thing that amazes me the most is how much Beanie has grown up and changed. In January she was still just a lump in a pumpkin seat that could not even sit up. Now she can run and climb and get into all kinds of trouble. In January she was practically bald, now she has enough hair to have genuine bed head in the morning. In January she was eating nothing but formula; now she eats everything but formula. She has truly made this a special year and I am so glad she came into my life. She has made my life much richer and fuller than I could have ever imagined she would.

2008 was also a year of growing and building James and my relationship. It has been a long and bumpy process with many tough moments……..but with every passing day our love for each other grows deeper and our commitment to each other grows stronger. And, most importantly, we are both very committed to doing a great job of raising our daughter.

Malcolm and Zoe have become young adults right before my eyes. Zoe has a boyfriend now, his name is Wade and she is crazy about him. He seems like a really good kid and I like him. Malcolm is about to turn 16 and will soon be driving. He still loves football and practices every day. They are both typical teenagers and we often get on each other’s nerves. I wish they could stay off their cell phones for more than 30 seconds! On the flip side, I am happy to report they are both doing very well in school and are healthy and happy. I am very proud of them.

The economy was constantly in the headlines this year and therefore constantly on our minds. I sometimes think that the media fans the flames and make everything even worse. I have never in my life seen a year with such financial craziness going on. House prices dropping so much, so fast, that if you know what your house was worth 6 months ago it is irrelevant now. Gas price hit record highs AND record lows. I am afraid to ask what will happen next.

The election was also quite exciting. The first African American elected as president! I thought it was interesting that his race was rarely discussed before the election (probably not P.C.) and it was all they could talk about after he was elected. I don’t care if the man is purple…..he seems like a decent person who is willing to take on the huge task of running this country. I believe he really wants to make things better and hope he can.

In 2008 I personally struggled with work issues, health issues (my feet), trying to sell my house in the worst market in years and how to manage all the additional responsibility of adding a baby into the mix. I have grown emotionally a lot this last year. I found new strengths, new weaknesses, and new joys.

Speaking of new joys, many people have asked me “so how does it feel to have a newborn again after all these years?” First, I have to say, it doesn’t seem like THAT long ago that Malcolm and Zoe were babies. But it has been different this time for sure. I think I have more patience and more understanding than when I was in my 20s and 30s. I better understand how kids think and operate. I know how fast they grow up. I think that I have less personal goals and confusion. I know better who I am and what I need. I have a clearer picture of what is really important to me.

With each passing year, I become more and more aware of what our most precious commodity in life is……It is time. I know that there is never enough time to do all that you must, all that you would like, and all that you need. The trick is to figure out what is most important and to focus on that.