2009 is almost done

Jacob is between boyhood and manhood. What a strange thing puberty is. I remember it well. I may be turning 40 soon but you remember puberty like you remember childbirth - painful but something you have to go through in order to get to the good stuff. His body is changing, his voice has recently started to change, he is officially a bit taller than me and he wears size 9-10 mens shoes. OMG.
I see a baby and think "Was it that long ago?" He is almost 12 and 12 years doesn't seem like much in the big scheme of things but he went from weighing 5 lbs to weighing 105 in 11 years. It is pretty cool to be able to go see "Sherlock Holmes" with him or talk about girls and other topics I cannot discuss here (I won't be able to afford the therapy for him if I discuss our previous chats).
Turning 40 is a hurdle that I am happy to jump. Not having another birthday is not a good option, obviously. Plus I will get to see the boy become the man. But I will miss him. He brought me plenty of messy kisses, lots of sleepless nights and a lot of dirty diapers. Soon he'll begiving away his kisses to someone else, causing me to have more sleepless nights but at least there won't be more dirty diapers anytime soon.

Merry Christmas!

So many things to be grateful for, humbled by and to think about. Our second Christmas since that awful day. A fallen soldier on his way home. A happy and excited boy who still believes in Santa Claus (thanks to his Mom's hidden tactical procedures). A quiet cup of tea while waiting for that boy to wake up. Close friends who are more like family who invite you over for Christmas dinner and share their special day with visiting family members from Newfoundland with you and your family. Family and friends from near and far who sent cards, emails, presents and love this week. Thoughtfulness is always something to be grateful for.

Christmas is coming....

I have experienced more roller coasters since the last post and I have had some really great times and some really low ones. I had to remind myself of what we have gone through and how we can get through any situation. Bad things have to happen in life, there have to be bumps in the road. That is life for all of us. Good friends and family are what matter.
Last weekend I took a road trip with 3 fantastic ladies to go shopping across the border. Great deals were had by all and we laughed as much as we shopped. A definite high.
This weekend we threw our 2nd Annual Vaters Christmas Party and it was a party! We got to see lots of old friends and some new ones. Everyone brought yummy food, Jerome, Annette and Tony played some wonderful music (Newfie of course) and we got to dance, laugh and mingle with wonderful people.
Jason was the "belle of the ball" mixing and gabbing with everyone. It was something to watch. I got warm fuzzies watching him enjoy himself. If watching your significant other laugh warms your heart then you know it's love. Having friends make him laugh warms my heart as well. I had a wonderful time and I prayed to the Church of Tracy this morning because she stayed at cleaned up last night and I got up to a clean house this morning! Jason and Jacob slept in and I enjoyed my Christmas decorated house with a cup of tea. Another high. Working on our annual Christmas puzzle with Jacob - another high.
It is in those highs that I pull through the low times, keeping them in my mind through the struggles. I know I am stronger for them.
Please come visit us during the holiday season if you get the chance. Let's have more highs than lows.