Best of 2015

We are so thankful for all the blessings we shared in 2015.  Lily B and kindergarten has shifted focus to learning with enthusiasm.  Abigail of course has had huge strides and daily challenges.  She even has stated how she has to be so focused and good at school that it is just fun to kick back and act up at home as she knows her mama will still think she is a super star.  

I cannot tell you the relief that was for me.  One, the obvious, she knows I love her no matter what and she can trust that whatever she throws my way I will accept and love her.  Two, the validation, that yes, she is a bit rougher around the edges with her parents.  Three, she is going to be good kid at school, if we can only get her to remember to stop -look- listen, she will do well and go far.  

John has had time to explore his desires and wants as he is home most of the day without Abigail and her schedule to run the day.  He has become an avid animal lover.  He and Alicia spend nearly every day at the zoo.  Yes, a lot of the time, they are at the shooting range, but John loves feeding the birds, learning from the zoo keepers, and meeting the new baby animals at the zoo.  All this autonomy for John seems to have heralded the toddler brain -- which we really had hoped was not going to come out in this normally mild mannered child.  Alas, it was as if the baton was just passed from one to the next....although it is easier the second time around....we even have respites, like just this Thursday, while visiting friends, John asked one of our friends, "May I join you on the sofa?"  The friend, a neurosurgeon, was really impressed.  The next day, he was screaming about having to change his diaper like a typical toddler.  So all these little moments of clarity that, oh it is getting in there, the pieces are connecting are huge moments of success that can motivate and recharge me to keep going on.  This first of several great memories of the year --  January had been wet, cold and a bit dark.. It was still cold, but that day the sun was beaming and the light was like infectious joy bugs and we had to stop and dance with glee for the sunshine!