11.11.11

This year was a year I couldn’t imagine 11 years ago…I remember sitting in my Sociology class and daydreaming about my upcoming cruise with my family and started doing some math in my head…wondering how old I would be when my youngest brother turned 21 (for the record, 35)…but somehow I started “charting” everyone’s increasing age and saw the 11.11.11 and got all excited that I would have that birthday…and then realized I would be turning 38…I thought to myself, “God, that’s old…what will I be doing then?”…well…*IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER*…

I’ve graduated from college, spent a summer in Alaska with my Gram before she died, married my best friend, enjoyed a Mediterranean Cruise, had a baby, had twins, sold 2 bars (some of you know the real meaning of that!), had I don’t know how many trips to Hawaii, travelled to Bangkok and Hong Kong, been robbed at gunpoint, gotten divorced, moved to a 3rd world country, bought a house, a few jobs, new ventures, said good bye to many loved ones, made new friends and some of the older friendships are well oiled…or rather, wined…rode an elephant, taken my babies in cars without car seats, sky dived, ran a few 1/2 marathons, gained 60+ pounds a few times and lost 60+ pounds (think baby weight!), swam with sharks, rolled a truck… I could go on and on…suffice to say, my life isn’t short on anything.

For my 11.11.11 birthday, my parents and one brother flew all the way from Alaska just to see my babies and spend this fun celebration with me (next month a very good friend is coming over and we are celebrating her 11.1.11 and my 11.11.11…watch out Cambodia).  It’s been a fantastic year…it’s really been a fantastic life.  I have no regrets and I love my loves…every single one from my husband to my babies to my family to my friends.  If you know me, I am a bit outspoken (tactless, some say), passionate, loyal, a perfectionist, a task master, a go getter and bossy…just to name a few!

I hope I live another 38…shoot…FIFTY years…I don’t want to miss a thing.

“Bobo”

Welcome to our family, little Bobo!  It only took Zachary 1 month to earn you…maybe longer…but he sleeps in his own bed and has successfully been off of his “baba’s”…YAHOO!  I’m not making excuses…OK, maybe I am…but it’s about time!  WE did it, little Z!!  He woke up on the day of trick or treating and knew that he was getting his turtle…we bought “Bobo” and he went trick or treating with us and settled right into his new home in Zach’s room!  YAY!

In another note of getting rid of the “baba’s”…it was just time…for a long time…I’ve reasoned it enough that I don’t need to do it for you…but I will say he is one clever little guy.  Day 2 or 3…he says on his way to nap time…”Mama…I would like something with milk in it.”…to which I replied, “Like what?  Cereal?”…and he says, “No…it has a top, you put milk in it and you can cuddle with it.  It’s green!”…I had forgotten there was a sippy cup of milk in the fridge and he must have seen it…but for about 5 minutes, I thought he was pretty clever to come up with a new description of a bottle THIS way!  (and for the record, he doesn’t even get a sippy cup!)

Way to go Zach!  We are so proud of you and can’t believe how fast you are growing up…in less than 2 months, we will have a 4 YEAR old…I still remember the day I met you like it was yesterday…it is impossible to me that you are going to be 4.  I love you to your bones…and am happy that you are my best little buddy!!