Friday, December 31, 2010

First 30 of the new 101

30/101
1. read and finish The Happiness Project
2. find something one on one to do with each child. Like a sport or a hobby just mommy and me activity
3. payoff all credit cards
4. trade in the Corolla for a minivan
5. make a daily schedule for the kids and stick to it. Rotate activities (sports) as the seasons change.
6. get the point where I can set up all my bills to pay automatically and not have to worry about it
7. Study and take the GRE
8. Apply and get accepted into a Masters Program
9. Get back to O-Town
10. Twenty spa visits. Cause I deserve it damn it.
11. Buy a cook book and make everything in it. (ala Julia/Julia style)
12. Get Ben to NYC for a night
13. Ireland
14. Sesame Place with the kids
15. Get in the water with sharks (Typhoon Lagoon is a good start)
16. Knit that blanket for my mom I keep saying I'm going to
17. Learn to quilt
18. Make memory quilt out of the kids baby stuff.
19. Complete the upper arm sleeve
20. Try Lobster
21. Take the family on a picnic with our own longaberger picnic basket
22. Start retirement planning
23. Get life insurance
24. Learn French
25. Learn Spanish
26. Take Ben for a day/night at Cocoa Village. Lunch at Murdocks, is a must and Ultra Lounge for drinks.
27. New Orleans
28. Miami
29. 5 RedSox games
30. Play in a casino poker tournament

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Bring on 2011...oh and 101 in 1001 starts again

So my favorite holiday is here! New Year's Eve. I LOVE NYE. I love the whole idea of starting fresh, making resolutions, clean slates and the magic of the change a year can make. I always liked this holiday, in my early twenties it was more for the party but in the last five years its more for the philosophical take, the rebirth so to say. Today is the 30th, my new daughter is one week old today, and even though I am feeling under the weather (thanks to my two eldest children and their germfest) I am going to start my new 101 list. I had about 50 things down already but they are on our family computer which has unfortunately met its demise two weeks ago(Damn hackers). So tonight my goal is to come up with at least the first thirty and then finish by the ball drop tomorrow night at midnight. Which for the third year in a row I will be watching from the comfort of my couch, in my PJ's, having a glass of wine with my husband.

It is amazing how family life can change you. Instead of an outrageous party in Downtown I am most excited for having my children in bed, and me on the couch to watch Ryan Seacrest (GAG) try to replace the irreplaceable Dick Clark. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

Party of Five

Miss Violette Rose Norman was born on Dec 23, 2010 at 8:46am. She weighed and measured exactly like her sister Savannah at 6lbs 9oz and 19.5 inches long. She is the most adorable thing. She makes these little squeaky noises and LOVES to be snuggled and falls asleep instantly when I hold her. I feel like our family is complete now. Three BEAUTIFUL and HEALTHY children bless me with their presence everyday and although I am well aware of the "honeymoon" stage of a new baby and how it will eventually wear off I can't help by smile ear to ear when I look around our home and see our preschooler, toddler and newborn who all look at me with these giant eyes and smiles for "Mommy".

Mommy. That is I. And no office, no career, no paycheck could ever replace the wonderful feeling I have when I am home raising my children. I am truly lucky to be able to do so...even if only for a little while.