HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

I meant to write this yesterday, being the first day of the new year and all, but I just didn't get it done.

First, I want to wish all of our friends and family a joyous and prosperous 2009! I wish you all peace and joy.

As I am sitting here trying to be creative, especially since my heart is full, I can't help but being distracted by all the many sounds in my home at the moment. Brittany and Alfredo are having a "dinner party" so the men folk are in the living room (next to the kitchen where I am writing) watching a movie and playing with their babies while the mommies are busy. I think they have wax in their ears because the stereo sound is turned up loud enough to be heard throughout the house. They are enjoying themselves--chatting and laughing through all of it. Brittany is in the kitchen cooking while the rest of the gals (6 of them) are at the dining room table letting their friend practice her new gig as a beauty consultant. She's doing a fine job from what I can tell. :-) Kyleigh is in the family room playing guitar hero...all by herself for the moment but I plan to join her (if she'll let me hee hee hee). Still isn't feeling well from being sick so she is enjoying her "alone time." Robert is in our room reading one of his mountaineering books he checked out from the local library. I think the loudest person however, is Miss Isabel. She is in her walker doing anything but walking. She prefers to be in motion on the kitchen tile and I don't blame her. It's easy to go really FAST in the kitchen. She RUNS and then slides through the kitchen. It's the funniest thing. I know that she knows she's going fast. She is a speed demon...I like to call her "Crash" when she's in the walker...running.
Isabel "kissed" me today--her first ever. Usually when I say "gimme a kiss" she doesn't pay attention but today I said the magic words and, just as if it was a regular habit, she leaned in and kissed me with a baby kiss then leaned in for a hug. It was the CUTEST thing ever.

Despite all the sounds and commotion, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love having my family around me and I love that their friends are comfortable enough to come here.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my 2 weeks off from school and feel slightly saddened to see it ending. I am however, grateful for the employment and I love what I do. I just wish I could do it a little later in the day :-] :-]

That's it for today. I mostly wanted to wish you all well for the new year.

Feliz Ano Nuevo