Monday, December 23, 2019

Happy Holidays

Well, here I am on the blog for the first time in a few years!  Because life has gotten away from me, I didn't get the Christmas cards done (well, and because I didn't want to take the time to write everyone's address on envelopes).  So, here I am trying to make it up to you by writing here and saying Happy Holidays!
I wish I could say that I would run down how the year has been, but let's be honest, I only remember about the last month or so.  I do know that Suresh and I celebrated 2 years together, and he has survived another year being an amazing step-dad.  Still kind of crazy that the marriage thing is working so well, and I am thankful every day for second chances and for a chance to have a partner to do this life thing with!
As for the kids, they also have survived another year, which is fairly surprising given all of the times they have tested me over the year.  All in all, they are some amazing kids, and it's been fun again this year to see the people they are becoming.
Gavin has probably had the biggest year.  First Homecoming dance, has had a girlfriend for the past 6 months, and is now driving (I can't talk too much about that, makes me want to be sick!).  He's growing up WAY too fast and I'm starting to realize how limited my time is with him....so I'm just going to live in denial and forget about all of that!

This kid...he keeps getting taller and taller.  But, will still let me hug him in public and doesn't think I'm completely uncool yet.  I know he's going to keep getting taller and I'm going to REALLY be looking up to him!






I can't get over how handsome and old he looks!!


and this happened....we won't talk about it

Noah has had a crazy eventful year too!  To say he's been playing some soccer is an understatement!  He moved up to the ECNL team, and has done some practice with the DA team as well.  I won't explain all of that, but just say that those are 2 top tough teams and he's been doing really well with them.
He and I got to take a trip to Montreal this past year and he saw his first payphone.  HAHAHA!  We also went to an MLS game and it was really cool.  We had fun exploring the city and just hanging out and being together.  I'm so thankful for some time alone with the kids!  We've been to a couple Charlotte Indepedence soccer games, and he even got to be a ball boy with a couple of his friends at the game!  He also managed to get part of a dirty shoe and jacket from a player...still have no idea why a dirty shoe was so cool, but....
He has also been doing awesome in school, good grades and got voted onto Student Council at school.  He's grown up so much, and I can't wait to see what he's going to do!
haha!  who knew payphones were so cool!

Enzo signing things for him!
not even sure how to caption
this one...
 And of course, last but not least....our sweet and sassy girl Lainey.  It's hard to even put into words how much she changes every year.  She's becoming more "girlie" every day and to be honest I'm not even sure what to do with all of that.  The girl loves anything that glitters!  She's getting so tall and is still the social butterfly and pretty much a celebrity at school.  She keeps looking older and I forget that she's almost 9 years old.  We've been blessed to have her with us now for 6 years, and we can hardly remember life before she was a part of our family.
She opted to try some tap and jazz this year, and had a super cute holiday recital, and really did a great job!  I think her real love is going to be the theater thing.  She's done theater camp the past two summers and really shines when she is on stage.  It's so cool to see them find a spot where they can thrive, and I think performing is going to be her thing (go figure, if you know her, this isn't surprising!)
Holiday Recital, she was such
a cute reindeer!
She was so overwhelmed during our
whole Disney trip!  So many
princesses!


no words here....all I can say is that
I was less ready for this than I was for
Gavin getting a car!!!

As much as it surprises me, Suresh and I actually managed to have a life too!  We were so lucky to have nights out with friends, weekends in Charleston, concerts, and just nights on the couch at home too.  We are looking forward to another year of craziness, and maybe some rest at some point in there too!

Happiest of Holidays to everyone, no matter what holiday you celebrate.  Be kind to each other and enjoy each other and the differences we are all blessed to have.
Sorry that I have apparently become that person that writes a holiday letter...but I guess I am now.  But I'm also apparently the slacker that can't get Christmas cards done in time to send out.  To be fair, between buying a car and the training bras, my brain was more than DONE!!