begin again

I've wanted to come back to this space for so long, exciting that today's the day.  More than once over this little break I've pulled up a picture or story from the blog to show or tell someone.  (Even my sister did the same.)  I miss recording those bits of life.

November and December were quite a doozy, mostly because I felt so horrible.  With each pregnancy I've experienced morning sickness to a greater degree.  I was so hoping to escape that pattern, but no such luck.  I'm 17 weeks, and due in June. (eee!) And, and, so happy to be feeling better.  It's made all the difference.  We are totally the crazy family that just moved into the neighborhood that has "all those kids".  Some friends jumping on the trampoline (before it met it's demise) said to Zach, "Your mom is having another baby!" It's ok, I'll gladly accept the title.  My perfectly biased opinion is that our children are wonderful, kind and talented...of course we hoped for more.  (But if you cornered me right this second I would tell you without skipping a beat...we're done thankyouverymuch).

And so, with that one little detail, I cut myself a whole lotta slack during the holidays.  It was the first year since we've been married I did not send out a Christmas card.  And in my dismal and hormonal state I was a total grump (that's phrasing it generously) during one particular family gathering (that we hosted) oops.  oh dear.

I want to just mention one other very poignant December experience.  I was able to attend the funeral for sweet Emilie Parker (her mother, a dear "Oregon girls" friend) who was killed in the Newtown shooting.  Her services in Utah, just days before Christmas, were absolutely beautiful.  It's the sort of thing I'm not really ready to describe other than to say that with both their silent and spoken testimonies I have been impacted by Alissa and Robbie in such a positive way that it leaves me wishing desperately (and quite impossibly) that I could just repay even a small portion.  They are continually in my prayers.

There is always more.                    
And that's why I'm happy to be back here again.
To keep, capture and record a little bit more.