Before I Get Old

I think I may have to admit I'm getting older. The other day I went to the movies and it was WAY too loud. And then last night I had a romantic dream about Ray Romano.

Love Is ...

While I was chauffeuring the boys to and from music lessons on Saturday, Abby asked Bryon to tell her how  we fell in love. Apparently his version was as simple as "I thought mommy was cute, and she thought I was cute."

"But you know what, Abby?" I said. "Daddy was also nice to me. He was a gentleman. He was polite and courteous. You need to find a boy who treats you nice, too." She thought about it a minute. I hoped I'd made an impression, and then she replied, "Well, good job getting a bald guy."

Optimism

There is a Dan Zanes song called Surrounded by Friendship with the lyrics, "the birds are my friends, they chirp and they warble, they remind me to be cheerful, even when their wings are wet with rain."

Today I am thinking of this song for two reasons. One, we are on our 24th hour of rain, and as I came in from dropping the kids off at school, our cardinal (I say our because he and his wife eat out of our feeder) was sitting on top of the house singing loudly. Even though his wings are wet with rain.

And secondly, because today is Abby's sixth birthday. And if anyone can remind you to be cheerful, it is Abby. Even when her brothers tease her, even when her boyfriend finds a new girlfriend (darn you Katy), even when her sixth birthday is rainy and gray.

"There are four things," she told me this morning at breakfast.

"What four things?" I asked.

"Today we have gym. Today is my snack day. Today is my leader day. And today is my birthday. Could it be better?"

So, Abby. My beautiful baby. Today, on your sixth birthday, thank you for reminding me to be cheerful, even in the rain.

About Those Resolutions

I read yesterday that most people drop their New Year's resolutions by January 10. Wow, January 10. I was lucky to make it to today. Yesterday I called my kids annoying, ate a bowl of Cracker Jack for lunch and spent an embarrassing amount of money on 50 cent Christmas ornaments at Target. By January 10 I will be eating out of the sugar bowl and shopping HSN.

Hello 2013

So, 2013. Hello. Welcome.

On this first day of the new year, let's make a deal. How about you don't throw me any curve balls, and I will use your time efficiently, productively. I will watch less TV and stop visiting gossip websites. I will take vitamins and walk. I will drink water and eat fruit. I'll make sure the kids brush their teeth twice a day. I'll put the laundry away on the same day it's folded. I'll read more, cook more. I'll try to stop picking my nails. I'll spend less money and stop worrying about the mess around the house, especially because no one sees it and no one else is bothered by it. I'll learn some songs on the ukulele, starting with Happy Birthday for Abby. When I'm frustrated I will step behind a closed door and count to one hundred, in Spanish, before saying something I'll regret. I will plan a family vacation for Spring Break. I will take the kids to the museum more. And the park. I'll talk to strangers and practice random acts of kindness.

Thank you for the opportunity and potential and promise you hold. I hope to sit here one year from now and remember you fondly.