It's therapy time--otherwise known as "The Yearly Birthday Reflection". I don't really care one way or the other about turning 56--it's just a number. But I'm feeling frustration with the many things that I had hoped would NOT be difficult by the time I reached this age, so I need to turn it around and list the things I enjoy or am grateful for as I head downhill toward 60. Call it superstitious if you want, but I've always felt like my even-numbered years have been better than the odd-numbered ones (with the exception of 1985, 1987 and 1991--wink, wink). So I'm looking ahead with a hopeful eye.1. Spending time with my parents: With each passing day, I am more grateful that they are still here with us. Healthy, independent, and living the dream. A loving example to me and my posterity.
2. Paying off one car: I can't remember the last time we were driving a vehicle that we weren't making payments on. I'm gonna guess around the mid-80s. Hope I didn't just jinx it. Keep running, Mazda!
3. Finishing up my 10th year of employ at the Montrose County School District: --and my 19th year as an employee of the Colorado Public School systems. Retirement is now a pin dot of light on the horizon.
4. Warm weather: once the holidays (and my birthday) are over, it's time for winter to be done. Yeah, I know, there are officially two more months until the calendar says spring. A girl can dream......
5. 2/3 of my kids being in their 30's: This was effective Dec. 9 of last year, but I'm getting a kick out of being the mom of 4 thirty-plus-year-old children! My 30's were a fabulous time, and I look forward to that for them, as well!
6. Michaela turns 6, starts 1st grade: my oldest grandchild finishes kindergarten and moves on to 1st grade this year. She is brilliant, creative and only slightly obnoxious--it comes with the age.
7. Quincy starts kindergarten: Miss Q has thrived in preschool the past couple of years, and will continue to do so as a kindergartner. Her teachers will have to be on their toes with her...but her mom is well aware of her quirks and gives her creative freedom and firm boundaries to grow in.
8. Monroe starts kindergarten: So hard to believe! She is a summer baby, so will be barely 5, but I have no doubts about her academic abilities! She is a sensitive soul, so this new step could take some adjustment on her part, but she is already a friendly, outgoing girl, so she'll love school!
9. Tessa turns 4: Another summer baby, she'll finish her first year of preschool and barrel on into the next. It will be interesting for her to be the "oldest" kid at home for 1/2 a day, as Q will be in all-day kindergarten. She is sweet, sensitive and persnickety. She'll give you all her love--if she's in the mood.
10. Paisley turns 4: 2 weeks after Tessa. She has the good fortune of attending preschool at home--Mom is a certified Montessori teacher, and has been raising our Miss P with those standards from the beginning! She's strong-willed, energetic and creative. Dancer, gymnast and puddle-jumper.
11. Lucy turns 4: She just started a twice a week preschool, and I'm sure she'll eat it up! She's a charmer, and it will be interesting to watch her find her own niche. She'll be an expert big sister by the end of this year, as her new baby sister grows!
12. Mara turns 3: Not until September, but this will be such a fun year with her! I love 2 year-olds (Terrible Twos were never as bad as Terrible Threes, in my experience!) She makes everyone around her smile, because she's so funny! One of a kind, that kid! We'll see if she decides to be a T3 or not!
13. Beau turns 1: Our Earth Day baby, and first grandSON, will be so fun this year! I just so enjoy the growth that babies do during their second year of life! He is a happy, secure little guy, and it'll be fun to learn more about his personality as he becomes mobile and learns to talk!
14. Hunter turns 1: a whole 6 weeks after Beau. Right now, the age difference is still very noticeable, but by the end of my 56th year, it'll be fun to watch that gap shorten as they grow. Hunter is sensitive--a happy, content little Puffalump! I hope I can spend some more time with him this year so he becomes more familiar with me.
15. Adaline turns 1: Weeelllll, yes, technically that will happen in this year, but not until 3 days before the New Year! I'm excited to watch her grow, and see what her little personality will be like!
16. Future grandchildren: ?? The year is young, so who knows--our ranks could still grow before I bid 56 a fond farewell.........
17. Green: It's my favorite color. It's my favorite color because it means spring, summer and warmth--things I look forward to EVERY year.
18. More reading: I think there's something wrong with a librarian who is so busy she can't find time to read like she wants. Thank goodness for #19...
19. Mahan Girls Book Club: I have absolutely loved our monthly book club chats. Thanks to Google Hangout, we see each other every month, all together, to rate our book and laugh.
20. Time spent with Michael: Other than the summer months, he and I do not have a day off together. Sundays don't count--it's not much of a day of rest for him as a bishop, and we travel separately to church and home. So lately I've been taking the occasional personal day at work on his day off, and I've loved it. We don't necessarily do anything special--it's just nice to be at home together.
21. Travel: My itineraries consist of travels to UT, TN and the Front Range--in other words, grandchildren territories! I have taken the train 3 times now in my life, and will probably take advantage of that mode of transportation again!
22. Showing appreciation for my husband: He really has been a good sport about sending me off to do the Gramma thing on multiple occasions, and I just need to be more vocal about how much I love him for it. I'd rather we could go together more often, but that isn't economically feasible, so we try to make the best of it.
23. The end of the Presidential campaign: Right now, the process is arduous, frightening and so, SO far away from being decided! But I'm praying that by the time I'm finished with 56, we will have sworn in a decent, intelligent leader who actually wants what is best for America. Is that so much to ask!??!?!??!??
24. Calves and corn rows: Not the bottom of your legs and the hairstyle. One of the things I enjoy about living on the Western Slope is the cycle that unfolds around me every year. When I start seeing baby calves in the fields, and then the farmers start plowing under the old stalks in preparation for planting, it just makes me so HAPPY! I also do the dance of joy when the irrigation water comes back.
25. Cleansing and purging: No, not a new diet regimen. I'm talking spring cleaning on steroids. We will be in this house 10 years in June, and it's time for a big yard sale and a few trips to Salvation Army (not to mention the recycling center and the dump!). I'm determined to downsize the clutter and get ruthless with memorabilia. A part of that will be making my kids take their stuff out of my house and into their own...you are forewarned, children!
26. Goodreads: I really enjoy adding the books I've read to my list, and reviewing them. I hope to be able to do more of that this year.
27. Puppies: NOOOOO, I am NOT planning on getting another dog. But I can look forward to possibly finding a way to play with a puppy or two that belong to someone else....they're just such good therapy!
28. Jennifer, Adam, Stefanie, Holly, Lisa and Kelli: I know, it seems harsh to lump all my kids together when I listed all THEIR children separately. I just love spending time with my kids--I love the weekly (or more often) phone visits. I love to Facetime with them. I love it when they ask for advice, or just want to vent to me. I love sharing books, recipes and funny stories. I love that they have made this world a much better place because of the people they are. 5 college graduates, one Marine, 4 amazing parents. All of them are devoted to their spouses, each other and their children, nieces and nephews. And speaking of spouses---
29. Nick, Kara, Matthew, Eric, Hondo and Tyler: I need to continually express my love to these wonderful people who are my kids' partners in life. Our family has only been strengthened by them. I'm grateful to the parents who raised them to be hard-working, dedicated, loving and fun! (Not that my kids would have chosen anyone who wasn't!!)
30. My faith: Is it a natural part of aging, to ponder on our eternal purpose more often? I just feel the influence of a loving Father in Heaven more and more all the time. I see the large and small blessings I am given each day, no matter how challenging. I need to spend more time expressing that gratitude in prayer, and taking the love I know my Savior has for me and spreading it around to all those I can love and serve. It helps me at home and at work. I feel it when I'm alone and surrounded by others. God has a plan for me, and I can only hope that I've done some things well. Onward and upward.
TEST: Congratulations! You've suffered all the way to the end of this post, so now I have a question for you. What one thing will YOU be looking forward to the most in 2016? Share it in the comments, here or on Facebook--maybe you'll give me more ideas!
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