year - and week - in review.

Oh, I'm so glad to see you guys.

Because we (used to) move so much, our friends live in a region more than a town. We have friends up and down I65, or friends whose parents still live up and down I65, and we see them all a couple of times a year (but talk to them all the time, thanks to the internet). I have seen every single friend I have since Thanksgiving. Every. one.

I used to have a book about a little boy who, on his birthday, wished that every day could be his birthday. Monday through Thursday, he had cake and ice cream and games and hats and presents. And on Friday, he wished for a normal day. Today I am wishing for the same.

We drove home last night from four days in Nashville/ Kentucky. We had a great time, of course. Asher went to a children's museum and saw his first snowman (in a museum - that will crack some of you up), and Mikkee had a fabulous birthday brunch. I just have to tell you guys that my children were - magnificent. They did as well as two small children spending four days with friends who don't have children could possibly do. There was one serious meltdown in the park (his hands were cold, and apparently that was the straw that broke the camel's back), and Silas is overtired, but that is to be expected. In general, Asher followed directions and Silas took naps and refrained from screaming every time he was put in the carseat, and that's good enough for me. Really, I'm so proud of them for holding it together so well.

And of course I had a great time. My favorite moment was the day after Christmas, when I sat on the couch with Valerie and Elizabeth all afternoon, then ate cookies on the couch with Carrie that night and talked about all the things that are too long for email. So fun.

But I missed all of the usual year-end blog wrap-up and resolution posts. So mine will be brief.

The best moment of 2008 was when I realized Silas was really my baby, and I was really his mom. I didn't believe I was having a baby until he was four months old, but that realization - and the peace that came from it - was my favorite.

A few honorable mentions - Brian and I finally figured out (two years into it) how to make the most of the time we have together, rather than lamenting the time we don't. I saw Harper and Lily for the first time, and that really was amazing (they were SO TINY). My house became a home. I saw Asher learn to talk and run and climb and draw and sing and tease his parents. I made new friends. In all, it's been a good year.

The low point is simple, too - the anxiety around my pregnancy and birth of Silas. I'm glad that's over.

And my resolution is also simple. I want to organize our house.

Our house is organized in that I can tell you with 94% accuracy where any thing you might need is. But we have small closets, and not nearly enough of them. And since my children refused to stop growing, and needing new clothes and more advanced toys, and since my husband refuses to sell his guitars and amps just to reduce some clutter, I really need to do a better job of making the most of the closet space. That's it. That's my only goal. Hold me to it, if you think of it, okay?

And with that I'm off. There are babies to rock and coffee to drink. Happy New Year, everyone.