I hope I don't jinx anything by doing an early New Years post

I've spent a lot of time reflecting lately, on this past year and all of the new lessons I had to learn the hard way; On all the accomplishments and setbacks, and of course all the crazy. This is what I ended up with, bullet-point style:

The world didn't end on December 21st- so there's that.

Parenting continues to be the neverending lesson in futility, but apparently the universe wants to pound that one in.  I'm a slow learner, what can I say? In my defense,  Infancy is a big huge parenting tease. you put them in the cute clothes, buckle them in the car seat, and take off.  It's a micromanager's dream.  But then they get opinions, and with that comes the bittersweet realization that, as a parent, letting go is all you'll ever do.

Truthfully, There are a lot of power struggles in my home.  Sean and I could not be more opposite on the parenting-style spectrum, and yet we are on the exact same side of the stubbornness scale.  Luckily for us, we didn't get a very malleable child, or we'd be screwed.  Kelan knows himself, and is strong-willed, he's better off for it, even if I don't agree tomorrow. Or by the time I'm finished writing this sentence.

I guess what I'm trying to say, and not so eloquently, I might add, is that learning to let go is a constant lesson in my life, 2012 was no exception. My dad likes to remind me that control is an illusion anyway, and I'm grateful for that.

Which, Segue! Brings me to...

Gratitude. By far and away the most important force in my life this year.  Because, a tiny part of me always knew that I'd be ready to move on from the money pit just as soon as I started to like it.  I don't know what it was about that house, but it just always seemed to symbolize all the "stuck" in my life, and the resentment was palpable.  It was like I was literally living in my own negativity.  We all were.  And then we took it off the market and I just decided to be grateful. For everything.  Little by little.  I realize that I am sounding kind of nuts, but hear me out.  It was the key, the key to moving forward and not being stuck anymore.

So I carry it on to this new place in my life, I'm grateful for every little part of it, and deep--really freaking deep down, I know it could not be, unless I'd been "stuck" for a ridiculous amount of time.  But don't tell me that a year ago- I would have probably slapped you in the face.

I think that's probably enough reflection for the day.

Summary: 2012 was eventful.  2013 has its work cut out for it.

Happy Early New Year!

So

So... It's December.

Suddenly I have a five year old, which is just...wow.  I mean, it's probably time to start breaking out the Boniva and make an appointment for Botox because I'm OLD now. I have had a serious conversation with a medical professional about my child's "stool". There's no coming back from that, no, "Oh, where's that kegger at tonight?" in my future. Not that I want there to be, just...you know, noting.

Um, I digress.

December!  And it's the end of an era for us (and hopefully not also the end of the world, because that would be a bummer).  We are finally saying goodbye to the money pit.  I know, bittersweet, right? No.  Pretty much just sweet.  T- minus twelve days until the move and I can barely sleep I'm so excited.  Homeownership is not all it's cracked up to be, people.  Especially ancient home-ownership.  For the near future, this girl's American dream involves a magic phone number to call when anything needs maintenance and a landscaping budget the size of a windowsill.

So that's what's new.  Packing and cleaning and organizing and sorting. It's like Christmas came early!