oh, what a year it's been

I do enjoy tradition-- simple ones that are easily remembered and carried out. While I didn't think much about it last December when I wrote my original end-of-the-year-list, I feel like this has the makings of becoming a bloggy tradition. I've been thinking about it in the back of my mind for at least the last few hours, so the time has come to pull it all together.

The Top Ten Things that I Liked, Laughed At, Smiled About, or Generally-Remember-in-a-Fond-Way of 2008.

10. Simply put- books make me happy.
I made a resolution last year to use Shelfari to keep track of the books that I read in 2008, and I even got all wordy (shocker!) and wrote mini-reviews of each of them here in blogland. I am proud to say that I had expected to read maybe 20 books this year, and if I complete one more I'll have reached 30 by year's end (including the 4 middle-grade-novels that I read aloud with JAM). While that may not even come close to some of my online book club book-fiend-friends, it's more than I expected, so I consider it a personal accomplishment. This year's books leaned heavy on the nonfiction, which allowed for some interesting thought-provoking reads. And of course, there was Wally Lamb. Books were saviors for me, in many ways, this year.

9. Cakes can be delicious, or deliciously hysterical.
I'm pretty sure that I'm not telling anyone anything they don't already know, but man, this site makes me laugh every single day. Cakewrecks is taking over the nation, and there are bakers out there who break out in a sweat when they even think someone is pulling out a camera in their shop. Just spend a little time checking out the photos (a few hours could really fly by just perusing this blog). You may want to pour yourself a tall glass of cold milk first. I'm just saying.



8. A whole lotta lovin' goin' on.
It seemed like this was a major year of babies. Three good friends of mine popped out little ones, two in the Spring and one just this month-- adorable boys that I hope my own littlest guy won't terrorize in the coming years. It's great to have friends going through the baby stages along with you, people who can empathize about your sore nipples, sleepless nights and general mom exhaustion. The line of hand-me-down collections is a major upside, as well! Congrats to you, Sian, Bin, and Jamie-- you ladies so totally rock!

7. Numbers dropping... slowly... but dropping nonetheless.
A year ago, my body was still trying to get accustomed to not having a tenant anymore, and the numbers facing me on the scale were frighteningly large. I've been trying, in my own little way, to kinda lessen the amount of food that I shove in my mouth each day, and for a while, I had a little bit of an exercise routine going for a few months (yes, that is one of my nonresolution-resolutions... it will start again...). While I still have a ways to go, I'm proud of the 40 or so pounds that have disappeared off my body in the last 12 months.

decorating the tree in 2007, and bulging out all over...

decorating the tree in 2008, with significantly less up-front-baggage...

6. The oh-so-bearable lightness of Pudge.
Not so much in the same vein as the last entry, as this child truly lives up to his name, but definitely in spirit. Our little guy who just a year ago was still a scaly-skinned, blotchy-red, still-sorta-newborn, has now become the happiest, smiliest member of our family. His giggles make my day, and he simply exudes love. He hugs and kisses his brother and sister with absolute joy. He's just the dearest little guy.

5. I just made you say underwear.
Funnily enough, Red's entry on this year's list isn't all that different than last year's. While I may not have made a big deal about it here on my bloggy space, the fact that Red took a few days to make the diaper-to-potty switch, before she turned two and a half, was a HUGE deal this year. Not changing 47 diapers a day between the two of the littlest ones became a real bright spot in what was a challenging year in many other ways. Now, she has assimilated fully to our family and takes advantage of the bathroom-basket-of-goodies any chance she gets.

4. Take me out to the ballgame.
This year marked the beginning of my career as a Bleacher Mom. JAM signed up for Little League, and we spent many an evening eating picnic dinners on the sidelines while cheering on our favorite little Astro. I know nothing about sport talent, but I thought he held his own and he had a fabulous time doing it, so it was a hugely successful endeavor in my opinion. We're gearing up for baseball season in a few months, and we'll get used to sandwiches, fruit and Cheezits as a weekly supper once again.

3. I blog, therefore I am.
Sure, call it cheesy, but this little space of mine on the www certainly brought me joy this year. From the beginning, the point of this blog has simply been to exist as a place for me to get it all out. Those things that pile up in my head, those things that bother me, those things that elate me, those things that crack me up, those things that I just have to think through-- this has been the home to them all. A little bit of self-reflection goes a long way, and for me, there's no better way to do that than through writing. And the coolest part of all? I even dragged Lovely Hubby into the blogosphere with me. We are now that couple that asks each other, "Did you read my blog today?" Yeah, we're that cool.

2. We got each other some tin cans, baby!
Back in May, LH and I had the extreme pleasure of celebrating the fact that we haven't killed each other in the last 10 years of marriage! Yeah, we haven't strangled each other yet! All kidding aside, this amazing man has been my partner in life since 1994 when we were silly little college freshmen, and our marriage four years later wasn't exactly predicted to be the most solid thing in the world by more than one person around us back then. But, fast forward ten years, and you'll find us happy and crazy together- and even more dedicated to each other than ever.



And the number 1 thing that brought me some SERIOUS joy this year? C'mon, if you're still reading this, you've probably got a good idea about what's coming next...

1. Yes, we can!

November 4, 2008. That date was hands-down the happiest day of the year. While I may not agree with every choice President-Elect Obama has made in his transition period to date, it is by far the understatement of all time to say that I've never felt so invested in the politics of our nation. I hope he continues reaching out to us regular folks with continued press conferences after he takes office, as a way to keep us informed on the status of all that desperately needed change he has promised. I hope his Presidency marks the beginning of a Renaissance period for our country-- in so many ways, we need a rebirth. Let's hope his administration can be considered a 'do-over' for the last dismal eight years. In just 30 short days, it all begins.

Once again, another year has passed, and while I could focus on the tough times, the frustrations and the wrongs that have occurred, it most definitely is a whole lot more fun to think about those times that brought a smile to my face. Thank you 2008 for providing a lot more of those moments our way. Hoping you all have had as wonderful a year-- bring on 2009!