The end of 2008

Wow, another year has gone by. Believe it or not, we really will be sending out cards. We're calling them New Year's cards. They'll go out on Friday. And yes, you may call us slackers--at least, those of you who managed to get out your holiday cards around the actual holidays. Those who didn't...we identify best with you. Just so you know.



OK, my resolutions. I did pretty well with last year's. This year, I'm resolving to be more Earth-friendly. I made some pretty big adjustments this year (that were surprisingly easy to make) but will make some more for next year--and will happily write about them here. Heh heh heh. I'm also resolving to be more organized, in the hopes that it will leave me more time to spend with those that I love. And play with our Wii.

At this time last year, I didn't know this little boy. I knew his face, but I didn't know him. I had no idea how much I was missing until we brought him home.

Last year, we thought about getting a Wii. This year, Jason got us a Wii for Hanukkah. What an awesome husband!
Last year, Melkamu didn't get to celebrate Hanukkah with us. This year, he had a great time at Patrick's class Hanukkah party, and we celebrated every night. He does a pretty good sound mimic of the blessings over the candles.

Last year, my kids didn't have each other to hug. This year, I get tons of happy-tear-inducing moments like this one. I will NEVER tire of them.


Last year, Jason decorated some gingerbread cookies in weird and decidedly un-Christmasy ways. This year...oh wait, he did the same thing. Here we have a sampling of them. On the counter (top row, left): Blue Man Group, the Eye of Sauron, Old Yeller, accident victim #1, (bottom row, left) fat gingerbread man whose button is popping off, Harry Potter, a vampire, a shot star (instead of a shooting star), accident victim #2--complete with license plate embedded on his chest, and a witch burning at the stake. Jason is quite talented, but scary.

Last year, we had a quiet Christmas at home with just the three of us. This year, we had a lovely Christmas with Jason's family. Mom, Dad, and Adam came to celebrate with us. (This is as close as I got to a picture with all three of them in one.)

Last year, we only had one cute kid by the stockings on Christmas morning. This year, two perfectly adorable ones!

This last picture has nothing to do with New Year's, but I thought it was funny: Patrick got up to go to the bathroom at some point last night and was apparently too tired to make it back to his bed. I got upstairs to find him curled up on the bathroom rug. *snort*

Have a wonderful New Year--come and see us in 2009!

Shameless begging

If you happen to know anyone who is pregnant and due at the end of March or later, and they're interested in natural childbirth, PLEASE give them my name and number. I have a Bradley class starting on January 4th that has only got 3 couples signed up, and I can accomodate up to 6.

I can work out payment arrangements with them if finances are a concern.

Thanks!

*chirp* *chirp* *chirp*--but worth it for the pictures

Those would be crickets. It's been quiet around here lately, hasn't it? Here was the beginning of December for me:


1. Patrick's birthday = birthday breakfast and dinner at home + cake in school on his birthday + party at the Children's Museum for almost 20 of his friends the next Sunday.


2. End of the semester = many, MANY papers to grade + finals to give + finals to grade + grades to record + students to reassure/console.


3. Lessons and Carols with Emory choir = rehearsals almost every night of the week of Patrick's birthday (except for on his birthday) + concert Friday night + two concerts Saturday.


I know there was more, like Rhianna's baby shower, but those three things took me STRAIGHT THROUGH from December 1st (1st night of Rehearsal Week for Lessons and Carols) to December 15th. Every single day was devoted to one or more of those things.


This past week has been devoted to shoveling out my house from the clutter of two weeks of "Mama's busy with other things" and preparing for the holidays. Then today, I went to an all-day pharmacology seminar. (See, I'm cool!)


Tonight, I finally downloaded the Thanksgiving pictures. Why yes, it is December 20th. Thanksgiving was November 27th, you say? Hmm, how about that. So, you wanna see some pictures? Here's the past three weeks in photos (most of them bad or at least partially blurry; thankfully, our normal camera is functional again):

Melkamu is, as always, adorable in his jammies

Patrick discovered that he could get balloons static-y on his head and then shoot them up to the ceiling by pulling on them. Those aren't helium balloons up there.

I graduated another Bradley class--four couples, and the first has already had their baby!

I like this picture of the kids together--Patrick is always protective of Kamu.

Then we went to Utah for Thanksgiving, whereupon the boys were showered with presents by Grandpa and Grandma M.

Melkamu sitting on his new sleeping bag.

Patrick spent a lot of time drawing on his new whiteboard, which was a brilliant gift!

Jason and Grandpa M relaxing prior to the birthday cake for all three of my guys.

Patrick and Grandma M.

The boys love their Grandma M!

We were in Nevada for part of Thanksgiving. This is Jason and Patrick climbing a hill behind the condo.


Melkamu in what Jason calls his "typical pose"--reaching up to be held with Elmo in one hand!

Jason took Kamu climbing up the hill later.

Patrick and Grandpa M on a 4-wheeler. Patrick's typical phrase: "YAHOO--GO FASTER, GRANDPA!!!"

Kamu and Uncle Adam relaxing after a 4-wheeler ride (for Adam, not Kamu. He's still too little.)

Patrick got a fishing pole for his birthday!

Patrick's party at the Children's Museum. (There was actually another table with more kids at it. It was fun but crazy!)

Little Carlton Banks? No, it's Kamu.

I managed to get a corneal abrasion and infection over Thanksgiving (it wasn't pinkeye), so I got new glasses. I actually like them! (And in another week, I'll be done with the antibiotic and steroid drops...finally.)

My guys are so cute!

Patrick finished another term of gymnastics. He doesn't want to do it again, but he had fun. He'll be doing tennis in the spring!