Lil E explains: The best stuff of 2012

I asked Lil E to help me make a list of things we loved about the year we are leaving. What was important to him to include was funny and sweet and far less silly than I expected. He wanted books to be on there ("for sure!") and our time with my pistol of a nephew, Baby J. He wrote in the Not Boyfriend's move and school (that was my idea) and being off school (his, clearly). 

Being together was all his own and I didn't even know it was there until I snapped a photo of the list. His scooter time topped the list but it wrapped up with news from our family we're happy to share (soon). For now, we will usher out this long archive of happy memories (and some prayers of thanks for making it through the challenges) by relacsing and drawing and adding on to a new post-it in the days and weeks and months ahead. 

Happy New Year, kittens. May your 2013 list be filled with many funny, sweet and even silly times. 

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Let's do this thing

It always comes before I feel ready. But here it is, another year. Here we are, another little family who wants more time together, bigger laughs, less rush, fewer arguments, hearts plentiful with love and hugs and security. Here I am, another mother who tears up to have one amazing kid, a phenomenal Not Boyfriend, an expanding and hilarious and generous family, friends who I can't see enough of as time ticks on. 

My list of wants for 2013 is long, like most parents. Lazy Sunday afternoons. An unending supply of good coffee. Financial security. A long enough vacation on warm sands near the ocean. Enough upcoming Taylor Swift hits to keep us dancing in the car. Work that fulfills, food that fuels, more time than excuses to exercise. 

But no matter what I want or wish for, what is right here is pretty great. I can't forget that. I promise I don't. Especially as the room darkens and the boy's breathing eases into sleep. As I turn over in my own bed and graze the arm of the man I love near mine. As I hold my breath to look at my bank account and another writing offer comes in. As I lock doors and open cabinets and run hot water in the tub in a home that is safe and filled and relatively calm. 

I guess that makes us ready. For more? Maybe. For less? There is always that possibility. For exactly what is now? Absolutely.

We're here and waiting 2013. Smiling, mostly. And together, pretty much always.

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It's like a battle of the flippy hair around here these days

Flippy hair, happy heart. Right? Well, that is what we are going with, anyway.

If it is not true, somebody get a hair straightener in here STAT.

Somewhat related: I am recognizing that my chances of getting a good, non-goofy-faced photo of the two of us rest at 50%.

Lower than that if you demand that the iPhone doesn't show up in front of one our mugs.

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