Eighth grade (and all that comes with it.)

I have spent the last two years trying not to cry when anyone mentions Sheldon's graduation from grade eight.

I know, I know.  It's just grade eight.  There will be bigger rites of passage to conquer but I'm having such trouble with this one.....

Last week his class had their graduation photos taken.  A friend offered up a selection of ties for Sheldon to choose from.  We dug his white shirt out from the back of the closet.  My neighbour (who stands in for Peter when he's away) came over and tied the tie for Sheldon.  And then on photo morning, while Peter was away and I was at work, Sarah made sure that his hair was clean and brushed and his breakfast was out of his teeth.  (It really does take a village to raise a child......)

When I arrived home from work, I found Sheldon in the kitchen and asked about his day.  I had forgotten that after the photos, the guidance counsellor from the high school came to talk to them about picking courses for next year.  He was so excited at all his options and he rattled on about what he thought he was interested in, what he wasn't, and how many compulsories he would need.  While he talked, I sat at the kitchen table and tried to stifle a sniff.  All of a sudden he turned around, took one look at me and said "Oh, I knew it.  You're crying."

Busted.  Again.

Feels like home again.

It's been almost two years to the day.

Two years since we've met up for middle of the week pumpkin soup.

Two years since we've cooked from the milk calendar together.

Two years since she's baked us a cake.

Two years since she's hugged my kids.

Two years since we sat up drinking Corona's together.

Two years since I've asked her if she wants to listen to Michael Bolton.  (Even though she always says no.)

Two years since we've watched a crappy made-for-TV movie that was so bad that we couldn't even manage to get up to turn it off.

Two years since we've had games night with friends at her house.

Two years since I called her just to say hi.

Two years.

It's a long time to have your best friend be half-way across the world.

Yesterday seems like a blur.  Maybe even a dream.  I remember being at the airport, anxiously watching each time that sliding door opened, trying to catch sight of her.

And this morning I walked into my kitchen and there she was eating Fruit Loops with my kids as if she'd never left.

The two years have felt like a lifetime.  And yet today it feels like she was never gone.

Welcome home, wb.  Welcome home.

xoxo

I've lost my balance.

Things felt a little off balance yesterday.

It started in the morning when I couldn't find two matching black socks.  So I ended up wearing one short sock and one knee sock.  All day long one leg felt a little cozy and the other, well, not so much.

I had to work on a Thursday, my usual day off, so all day long it felt like Friday.

The kids have been awesome all week - helpful, considerate, kind - but they returned to getting on each other's case first thing in the morning.  Teenage attitude hung over us like a black cloud for most of the evening.

There is great energy in the air because one of our very favourite people is returning to Canada after two years away and we are so excited to be meeting her at the airport this afternoon.

And then there is a little sadness as we make plans to say goodbye to our dear friends as they pack up their home for a move out of town.

All the craziness swirling around?  I'm blaming it on the full moon.

And I'm hoping that today I'll feel like my feet are a little more firmly planted on the ground and that stability will return.

I need a life.

It's been a bit of a busy week for me.  All the regular kid stuff but this week I had some Jennifer stuff thrown in too so I wasn't around as much as usual.

Last night, after a friend's birthday celebration, I was on the bus heading back to town when Juliana called me.  She told me about her day at school, what she sweet-talked her father into buying when they went grocery shopping, what she ate for dinner, and what she was reading before bed. She told me that she was afraid that she'd be asleep when I got home but I assured her that I'd give her a cuddle no matter what. Then she said:

"Momma, I don't want you to have friends anymore.  I want you to always be home with me."

Clearly, I need to get out of the house more often.

Starting soon.

Dog tales.

We have two beagles - one purebred and one beagle-y mutt.

Out on a walk they have their tails wagging in the air and their noses to the ground - they're always hot on the trail of something.

In fact, this action shot is what I see when we're out for a stroll.

Maggie and Tucker - my headless wonders.

Our winter wonderland.

Peter and I just got back from the most beautiful dog walk - the falling snow is coming fast and furious but is falling soft and light.

I think it snowed 5 cm while we were gone.

My rosy cheeks now need a nice cup of tea before I head to bed.

What a really nice way to end the day.

Out with the old.....

2011.

Already?

It's time to say goodbye to the year that was - continue on my road of purging by saying goodbye to all the stuff that I've been holding on to for way too long, and time to make way for a simpler, more balanced life for our family and for me.  More balanced I can do, but simpler?  That's going to be my challenge for 2011.

It's been a year since we turned our house upside down to renovate our basement and, truthfully, we still haven't quite made our way through our old stuff but we're doing our best.  Along the way I've uncovered some treasures, some stuff that made us laugh until our bellies hurt, some really special notes, cards and letters, and a lot of stuff that made me wonder what we were thinking when we put it a box for keeps.

Early in 2010, our little family endured a near tragic accident which forced us to take a look at how we treated each other and how we could become better parents, partners and children.  It reminded us to go back to basics, to find strength in one another, and to enjoy all that life offers us - the little moments and the big ones.

Also this year, my children continued to teach me about pushing myself, stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying something new.  I was a little worried about starting my blog - it was something that I had wanted to do for quite awhile but I didn't know if I'd be able to manage it in the long term.  Would I find enough inspiration?  Would I find enough time to write?  Would more than my family read it?  Now, eight months after starting it, I know the answers:  yes, yes and yes.  Thank you, dear readers, for making me feel comfortable and confident with my new venture....

I'm not really a resolution kinda girl - I sort of consider September the start of my new year in terms of setting goals - but as we say goodbye to the past year, I feel energized to start the new year.

From my family to yours, thanks for letting me share our stories with you. 

Here's to another year together.