Dreaming What Ifs...

Just Another Number, kind of.

Sally Cried, "and I'm going to be forty."

Harry asked, "When?"

"Someday".........

 

And that day is today.  It's been this number looming at me for the past ten years.  But what does it signify?  Nothing, really.....BUT......

I had all these ideas about myself and 40 was the age to have had these things done.  The goal to have them finished before 40.  And I have accomplished none of them.  Absolutely none. 

So I woke up this morning and cried.  At 4:00am I burst into tears.  Not because I was turning 40, but the fact that I had let myself down.  I hadn't set unobtainable goals.  They were all quite reachable.  And yet, I had completed none of them.  

And that my friends, is why reaching the age of 40 sucks.   

Two Days to go....

Until I hit that big number....okay, one of the big numbers.  Why does it seem so daunting?

Looming

4 days and counting......

Christmas Trees Past

 

2004 - Jammin' and Buttercup were SOOO little.  (I've almost forgotten how cute they were at that age).

The tree seems kind of sparse....sure a lot of room at the bottom.  (but, we didn't realize how lopsided it was until we got home - and had to tie the tree to the wall so it wouldn't fall over!)

 

 

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2005 - Buttercup was a 2 year old princess here.  This tree managed to stay put without the use of anchors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2006 - THIS was the year where we couldn't judge height.  We were going for a 8 foot tree and came home with one over 10feet tall.  It touched the ceiling.  Yes, it rose above our ceiling fan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2007 - Obviously, I painted my walls and added quite a splash of color.  The tree was much shorter (actually, looks kind of puny compared to the previous year) and the kids are starting to get bigger!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2008 - We added a new addition to our family this year (THE CABOOSE!!!).  I don't have any recollection of this tree nor did I take good pictures of how big or small it was.  (I had baby brain)

 

 

 

 

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2009.  This was a difficult holiday season.  Dave's dad had just passed away. Jammin' had his eye surgery.  I was exhausted.  But look at all those ornaments on that tree.  I remember thinking this was one of our best trees ever. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2010   Definitely a great tree - and three great kids!

 

My OTHER Christmas letter....

or - the one I wish I could have sent out but wasn't brave enough.....

 

December 2010

 

Hello long lost family members (or those lucky sons of beeches who get our letter)

It seems like I just finished writing last year's holiday letter and here it is time again.   I hardly have any time for such nonsense.  Facebook is very demanding.   

Seriously, we've done things this year that didn't revolve around the computer.  Most of it involved driving kids to soccer, swimming, and school.    Also, evenings filled with homework, book reports, piano practice, and the occasional diorama come to mind.

I do remember February.  It was really cold but Dave and I didn't mind wearing our coats while watching Apollo Ono skate for a bronze medal.  We enjoyed rooting for the Czech team in the hockey stadium.  Yes, the Vancouver Olympics were a blast.   (and a special Thanks to our Canadian friends, Mark and Marnie for putting us up!)

The Caboose turned two in May and certainly lets us know every day!   He is cute but can turn into the devil when backs are turned.  He has his older siblings completely tricked into doing his bidding of non-ending horsey rides.   And aside from occasionally sleeping under the bed to hide from the closet monster, he really is an Angel deep down inside.

Buttercup, our 7-yr old teenager in disguise, started 1st grade.  Her  fashion sense is decades ahead of my own.   This competitive child will stop at nothing to beat her brothers; this  includes catching the biggest fish, swimming the farthest, and chasing the fastest chicken.

Jammin' is our 4th grade Mathlete.   The inner workings of his brain countermands the law of physics sometimes.  The soccer ball  may elude him, but the piano keyboard  sings to his command.   We are enjoying our last moments of adolescence with him as the number 10 quickly approaches (and so does the attitude).

And that leaves David.  When he is home from his busy schedule of golf, fishing, football games, and meetings, he helps warm the couch up.   There is nothing more heartwarming than to hear the children scream, "Daddy's home."  I know, then, that my job is done for the day.

Blessings to you all.                                                                    

Love,

Karmyn (aka mom, wife, housekeeper, social secretary, and know-it-all)