Word To The Ys

I have a fabulous Auntie (shoutout: Hey, Linner!) who practices reflection and gratitude each year at Thanksgiving, which in my humble opinion makes a heckuva lot more sense than January 1.  She writes these fabulous letters to her family & friends detailing the happenings of the previous year and things for which she is grateful.  She also usually includes some goals she has for the upcoming year.  In this spirit, I turn my attention to a similar task.

You all can read more details about our life-and-times in 2009 in the archives here, but generally speaking: we worked at becoming a family of five.  Joe and I did our best to sleep sometimes.  Our kids did their best to foil that plan.  Max became ever more bright, loving, and big-brotherly.  He’s just such an incredible brother.  He finished kindergarten and went on to become a big first-grader.  Whoa. 

Oliver has evolved into his role as middle brother so well…he shows incredible consideration for both brothers and loves playing with each of them.  He is almost ready for preschool and has adjusted nicely to our once-weekly early education classes. 

Seth…well, gosh…Seth went from a tiny little lumpy baby to a walking, talking personality in his own right.  He was just now walking around (still such an adorable and crazy thing to see) saying “Apple.  Apple.  Apple.” because his brother had one and he wanted some, too.  And Ollie obliged and shared some with him. 

I am astounded by my great good fortune. 

Joe continues with work that he enjoys in an organization in which he is highly valued.  I love him more every day, and I really truly mean that, cliched as it sounds.  I am writing more and some of you actually care enough to come read what I’ve written here.  My parents are lovely.  I am grateful they finally like “Glee”.  Oh, and also that they are (reasonably) healthy is very good, too.  I have a wonderful extended family including my Grand Pierre, loony aunts and wacky uncles. 

I have an even larger family courtesy of my in-laws (EIGHT nieces and nephews…whew!) and my mother-in-law is a fabulous friend and mentor to me (she also raised three boys.)  My brother is easily, hands-down, the world’s greatest brother.  Seriously.  He is one of my best friends and the most fabulous uncle that ever was.  And you know what?  He somehow convinced this beautiful, funny, amazing woman to marry him, and now she’s one of my best-loved people, too.  I was honored to stand up with them on their wedding day.

And I have these friends…incredible friends.  A whole church full of them in addition to the elite squadron that continue to be crazy or brave enough to always support me.  Who else would I have to call when I’m a little blue, or confounded by a parenting issue, or looking to spend a night on the town sans-kids?  So to Brad, Sarah, Charlie, Shawna, Amy, Sarah, Amber, Carolyn…my eternal gratitude.  And my dear friends who live far away but with whom I share the kind of friendship that picks right up again when we’re lucky enough to be in the same room, and to all who were friends to me during those awkward formative years…you’re so swell.

And as far as my aspirations?  I hope to be a more patient mother and partner.  I want to attend my writing in a more conscious manner.  I want to make more time to spend with extended family and, of course, my wonderful friends.  In general–more love.  Always more love.  It’s the very least I can do when I’ve been given so much.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 12:07 pm and is filed under Joe, Max, Ollie, Other Ys of Note, Seth. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.