Hello 2011

Last night I rang in the New Year sipping hot chocolate on the couch next to Ethan, who, for the very first time, made it through to midnight at 8 years old. He was quite proud of himself. We both nearly spilled hot chocolate on ourselves when a neighbor let off some fireworks. I think Ethan was expecting more out of the event. We watched the countdown and the ball drop. The confetti fell over New York. A colored paper snowfall full of clean slates and hopes for the New Year. Then it was over. Ethan looked at me and asked, "Is that it? Is that the New Year?" I said, "Yeah, it sure it. Welcome to 2011. Brush your teeth." He whined a small protest and defeated by the power of mommy, reluctantly brushed his teeth and whined, "I'm not tired.." as he disappeared behind his door and into his bed. Five minutes later, I went to make sure he was warm and covered and he was snoring, quite loudly.

So, here we are. A new year. What are my plans?

To lose weight. I don't plan to starve myself by any means, but the extra weight I've been carrying around makes me unhappy with myself. It's time for a change. My plan of attack hasn't been established yet, but it will be. And, with this, also comes the goal of taking more pride in myself. I deserve to feel good about me and my body.

To take more pictures. A lot more pictures. I only own a point and shoot, and I dream of DSLR's nightly. Still, my kids are growing faster than I can keep up with. I want to remember little fingers and little toes. I want to remember the gapped smiles with the missing teeth and the dirty faces. I really need to take more pictures.

To keep up with sewing. I finally sewed some baby legs. My machine and I are becoming fast friends. I have a nephew due to arrive in May. I'd love to get better so I can make my SIL some things for my new nephew. I'd also like to make my niece, Makayla something as well. Her's will probably be in the form of a tutu.

And, I would say to keep my house cleaner, but I'm keeping it real and saying....Uh...No. I can't keep up with the tornado known as the Townsend children. There are still dishes in my sink and there are always toys on my floor. The beds are rarely made. The only thing being kept up on is laundry thanks to the dryer breaking and my having to drive baskets of wet clothes to the laundromat every week. Will 2011 bring me a new dryer, or someone who can fix it?

Happy New Year everyone!