'Tis the Season

I can hardly believe that it's the holiday season again. And, even more so, that another year has passed. It has been a very long year with not much progress. I am hoping that next year will end better. But trying to keep my head up and stay positive. Good things have happened amongst the bad. And everything could always be worse.

I feel lucky to be blessed with two wonderful children in my life. They are all I could ever need. Seeing them happy makes my holidays better. I didn't get everything done for this weekend that I wanted to. I didn't mail out 98% of our Christmas cards; I didn't bake any cookies. But the gifts are all wrapped (sans 2 that FINALLY came via UPS just the other day), I finished the treats for people at work, the kids picture was taken and developed. We went to two holiday parties with the kids. I don't feel much in the holiday spirit, and I think our situation has a lot to do with it. It's hard not being able to have your own .... well, anything; your own space, stuff, traditions. But, again, keeping my head up and trying to look at things in the most positive light, I am grateful for what we have and that we can be together.

I can hardly believe it but my fiance got The Bean to go peepee on the potty the other day! I was so proud of him. He hasn't gone since, but hopefully it's a step in the right direction. He got his big boy hair cut the other day and he looks just as handsome as ever. He started going to bed in his crib by himself without me having to lay with him for hours! So we got him a toddler bed for Christmas, but I am hesitant to actually set it up for fear of it making things go backwards. I don't think he grasps that if he wakes up and can get out of bed, that he should just lay back down. At least in the crib, he knows he has no place to go so he lays back down and goes to sleep. But the bedroom isn't really toddler proofed because he is never in there alone. But if he is going to be able to get out of bed and walk around, then that is going to have to change. 

Little Miss is still going strong with school... kind of. I see the slacking behavior coming back and her frustrations coming back out. I think she is getting burnt out, actually. I am not surprised, she has been working very hard. And I am still very proud of her. She tried to convince her dad to let her mother dye her hair pink and he said no... but her mom was going to do it. She's only 11. All she does is mess with that poor girls hair. It's going to fall out if she keeps putting chemicals in it. Don't get me wrong, I dyed my hair plenty crazy colors, including blue, but I was at least old enough to have a job, get paid and buy it myself. I think she is too young for it right now. 

BUT it's a holiday weekend and it's a busy one at that. So I refuse to dwell on the things that stress me out, especially things that I cannot control. And I will make sure that I do everything I can to be helpful and I will try to enjoy this Christmas... even though my fiance is working for the whole thing... 

Season's Greetings to All.

Love & Peace,

Emily