Mid-life

A few months ago I was listening to a news story and it described a 40 year old woman as middle aged - well, of course I gasped. That's my age - I am not middle aged. Well, I guess I am technically. Here I sit in a place I have longed to be - wife, mother, homemaker and yet ... sometimes I feel like I was promised more. I wasn't really, but women my age had the expectation that we could be superwomen and I know this is not news that something suffers either home life or intellectual life depending on your choice as a mother. I am "Happy at Home" but definitely need to keep my mind and efforts not entirely at home or I fear I will atrophy. You don't imagine having a three year old and being middle aged, but maybe I am just wiser now. Perhaps it will be a time of reinvention - we shall see - Cheers!

FELIX

We have a new member of our family - we got him just a couple of days before Christmas. We found this tiny orange tabby cat walking down our road. We checked with neighbors to see if anyone had lost him. We now suspect he was a dropoff. But we are so happy to have him. We had thought about getting a pet for Christmas even, but just never committed. So, little tabby, we are glad you "chose" us. The kids have been nearly loving him to death. Thrilled with a new pet - our 10 year old lab is losing even more of her dwindling affection quota, bless her heart. This morning school was nearly delayed by who had or had not given Felix hugs and kisses - I am not making this sappy stuff up! Then after the older kids left for school I hear Walter going around the living room saying - Felix, it's me, Walter. Fe-Lix, it's me Wal-ter! I am a boy and you are a boy too. (adorable) Here is our new little man - growing every day.

Happy New Year!

Another year behind us, another year ahead of us. All is merry and bright! The kids had a wonderful holiday visiting family and friends. We rang in the new year - in Madrid - at 6pm and enjoyed a family meal out. We are hitting a crossroads of sorts with no kids in diapers - Danny and I are sort of longing for those baby days and really loving how the kids are growing too! This is a shot from our celebration last night. Here's to a great new year!