2009 to 2010

Today is New Year's Eve! I have been bombarded the last few days with facebook updates by all of my friends and family recapping their year and either happy to see 2009 go or excited for the fresh start 2010 brings. I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on this day that seems made for that.

I have had a rather pleasant 2009. I have been very blessed in many, many ways. 2009 had some definite low moments. We experienced the unexpected death of a family friend, but was met with amazing news from her son and daughter-in-law just a few months later. We are excited that 2010 brings our wonderful friends the joys of parenthood for the first time.

Seth had surgery this summer, but it went well and did it's job. Seth does miss being able to do tricks with his belly button, but having the umbilical hernia repaired gave us piece of mind. Unfortunately, Gabriel heads back to surgery in two and a half weeks but we have high hopes that this will alleviate his hearing difficulties and fluid back up. We had my medical scare in the spring, but were happy to find that a lackadaisical immune system is something that for the most part I can deal with. We have lots and lots of Purel on hand and have done many a hand washing lessons with my guys this year.

Seth was also officially diagnosed with ADHD. In some ways the actual diagnosis and treatment was a welcome turning point, as school and homework were becoming all consuming as he reached his threshold of being able to function without help. The past few months have brought relief and the ability for him to concentrate on things he enjoys for the first time. He has read a large number of books since he has been able "to read the words without thinking about what's next, what I have to do next, over and over" (his words!). He has read the entire Spiderwick Chronicles, Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series, and the first four books of Harry Potter and many, many more others scattered in between-just since the last week of October!

Gabriel ventured onto the little league field for the first time in 2009, and his heart couldn't have been happier! He also finished reading 1,000 books with Daddy D and I to complete the 1,000 book challenge in preschool. September marked the beginning of Gabriel's journey into school with the start of Kindergarten!

2009 brought a family trip to Hersheypark, a wonderful superhero themed week at Camp Timberledge. It also brought the inception of the Catskill Mountain Children's Museum, a huge project that has begun with my friend Marcy and I. It will be two or three years worth of work, but we are hoping to bring a wonderful family resource to our area. And it will be wonderful to be a co-founder!

It also brought the birth of my niece, Mocha Cub. Daddy D and I got to be godparents for the first time! And we are infinitely blessed that God gave us a girl, just in a different kind of way!

In August Daddy D and I celebrated our tenth anniversary. We got to see the Dave Matthews Band and remember all of the wonderful, difficult, amazing moments of our first decade together. Also in August our little Eli turned one, bringing to an end our last year of firsts. He talked, he walked, he got his haircut-all in 2009. In October Daddy D turned thirty, finally joining me in the 3-oh's!

November brought a car accident, but thankfully a last minute change of plans meant I was driving our bigger, heavier vehicle when the deer jumped onto the minivan on the major highway in the area. I shudder to think what would have happened if I had been doing 65 in our Ford Focus wagon when it happened, as opposed to the much higher up Caravan. Still, $5,400+ later my minivan has been repaired and we are thankful for insurance!!!!

I will look back on 2009 with mostly fond memories or boyz who are getting older, but definitely still little boyz. I look forward to the great things 2010 has in store! Amazing things that will happen this coming year: Seth Mason will turn 10! We will be the parents of a child in double digits, which brings many new and interesting challenges with it. Nate the Great will venture into preschool this coming fall! Seth will graduate from our elementary school this June and be headed up to the middle school in September. We are hoping 2010 will bring more words from the mouth of Eli Noel, as right now he lets his minions of older brothers do his beckoning for him. Maybe with all three in school in the fall he will be out of options!

So many wonderful things to look back on, but so many new and exciting things to look forward to! May you and yours have a wonderful New Year!