Resolutions of Renewal and Reorganization . . .

Here were are at the final few hours of 2008. . .What a year!!!

We began the year waiting and wondering when we would go back to Russia to get our little Aidan. Then, we did go and spent an incredible month in his native country. After coming home, I stayed home with him for two months to "get used to him and to let him get used to me." I have to admit that I think we were bonded before we even left the orphanage!

Aidan became a US citizen complete with his own Social Security card, had his first birthday party, celebrated his first Fourth of July, first Halloween, first Thanksgiving and first Christmas. He has become so much a part of our lives that I couldn't even begin to imagine life without him! He changes almost daily in his growth, the words he uses, and even how his face looks. He is losing his baby look already (sniff!) and becoming a little boy.

This week alone he counted to eleven (yes, eleven!) while coming down the stairs. And all four of his two year molars are coming in (finally!). We're still working on the going on the potty, but that will come. We've been working on getting well first.

And so, as I do every year, I take a moment to reflect on all the things I could do better in 2009:

I definitely want to be a better Mama. I don't think I'm bad, but there are areas I can improve.

And I want to be a better wife. Again, I don't think I'm bad, but there are definite areas I can improve in.

I'd like to have some time devoted to just us doing nothing but hanging out, playing together--no agenda and no schedule. And who wouldn't want to be with these two jokers???

And for myself, I'd like to lose about 10 pounds. Yes, it's the same 10 I have lost and gained about a million times, but who's counting?!?!?!? I'm not going to set a time limit, specifically, but I'd like to be back at my goal weight by the time we go to the beach this summer. I don't think that's unreasonable. So, back to Weight Watchers I go. . .which means that the whole family will eat healthier, too! Bonus!

And for the home, we have painting projects galore to finish and flooring to do and we need a new front door and remember that a/c unit that needs to be replaced?? That's part of it all too.

And, so I bid Paca to 2008 and am saying hello to 2009. May we all be healthy and happy in the coming year!