1. clara jane
I carried her for nine months in the womb and have since carried her nine sweet months from her birth on March 21st. She has been attached on my hip (or chest) day and night. Just in the last week or so her mobility and confidence has led her to explore beyond my arms reach. Instead of what I thought would be cheers, I have felt a little sadness. I guess that is true mothering...loving, nurturing, and letting them take those steps on their own.
2. the french laundry
Back in June I was invited by a former student's family to go to Napa Valley and enjoy a nine course meal at the top restaurant in the country. It was a way to say thank you to all the teachers Anna had in elementary school. I was flattered by the invitation, Josh and I looked up the restaurant online, were completely giddy but I didn't consider it (clara was only a few months, and we live in Utah). Josh swooped in with perfect perspective and totally made it happen. It was an amazing, once in a lifetime experience, start to finish. It was so wonderful to visit with my old friends, student and colleagues. Stepping back in to that special time of life made me appreciate the opportunities I was able to have before kids and the gratitude I have to be home with my own now and hopefully bring a little magic to them every now and again.
3. noah takes a ride
I sent Josh to the store to buy noah (then just 2 yrs. old) a scooter. I had in mind a three wheel scooter with a big deck, and a picture of elmo on it. Josh came out with a red razor. yes, like the one your 10 year old might ride...heavy, two wheels, narrow sharp edge deck, that's the one. My little Noah, (who still is in a crib that he lines with police cars and firetrucks to protect him, sleeps with the light on, door open, and is terrified to be swung upside down) jumped right on and never looked back. He is this agile, tricked out rider, for whom (as his mother) I feel this horrible sense of pride and fear.
4. santa cruz
We rented a beach house for two weeks in August. Josh woke early and carried his surfboard down to all his old surf spots. He is a long boarder which makes for a more friendly crew on the water. He was even given a name by one of the old timers, "Utah." I see a lot more surf trips in our future. The boardwalk was another fun night. I know I sound silly but I felt true joy as I watched Noah's pure fun in riding the carnival rides. He was so happy! We were also so lucky to have visits from family on both sides able to enjoy the home with us.
5. markets down, rates down, and josh up
If you have the chance to come north on I-15 from Provo to SLC,just as you crest the point of the mountain, look to your right. There on the billboard is my husband advertising his mortgage company. He did a loan for the owner of the billboard and voila! - his face in lights. The last 6 weeks have been so crazy with rates in the 4's. Josh is so busy. I know it is a good thing, I just need to take the kids on drives on I-15 to tell goodnight to dad.
6.home for the holidays
I love where I grew up. I didn't realize it was a small town until I went to college. I was pulled over twice for driving with my lights off. (Provo was so well lit, and where I lived you put your lights on to see the road) My roommates also laughed when I started a story of "I went into town with my mom" like I was some hillbilly driving into town to get supplies. This Christmas I was reminded again of those roots when we all drove 4-wheelers and a bush hog on our 5 acre property. My sister (in-law) labeled her pict. on facebook "a redneck Christmas". I can fully embrace it all from cutting down the fresh Christmas tree at a friends farm, caroling at Gagons and Evers, to having the well freeze and water stop right as the shampoo was all lathered in good. It really was happy times, clara learned to wave, and noah had fun playing with his cousins and Aunt Beck.
My year in review took about a year to do (and for you to read.)
Happy New Year!
