highlights

 I was driving today listening to NPR, I was really grateful for NPR.  


It is like a really smart and interesting friend to listen to while my kids are being kids and I can't stand the sound of "mom."


This led me to think about the highlights of the year.  Some of my favorite moments and things of 2010. 


So, I will compile a list for your enjoyment.  


Maybe we had some matching favorites.


- NPR.  Like I mentioned above, it is my car BFF. 
 I listened to NPR off and on in the past, but mostly liked singing to loud music while driving.  Enter 3 loud kids and the last thing I want sometimes is loud music. 2010 has been a year of a lot of NPR. Time to think and enjoy some good conversation. And by conversation I mean me and my inner-self and some topics of discussion and contemplation. 


- The Hunger Games trilogy.

I got the first one for Christmas of 2009, went out and bought the second one the next day, and then had to wait till August of this year for number three.  I felt redeemed after the brain cells lost on the Twilight series.  This was fun, intense, romantic, and well written.  Great heroine.  I didn't choose sides when it came to Gale or Peeta.  And yes, MockingJay took a few pages to get good, but finished strong.  This ranks with the crew from Hogwarts if you ask me.  Almost. 


-Lincoln.  April 29th, 2010.
I'm not playing favorites, but I am. Only for infants though.  It's not like Beckham or Marley could help themselves.  Every momma needs a baby like him at some point.  He was a joy to gestate, a joy to birth, and has been a joy since.    

- Girls Reunion.  
This was an amazing weekend that came together seamlessly and was much enjoyed by 6 ladies who lived together once upon a time in college.  After 10 years of not seeing each other, some things change and some most definitely stay the same.  We gathered from around the country here in Southern California.  Left our families, jobs, and life to have some "me" time from the old days.  There are not words.
2011 Girls Reunion in Oklahoma.  I'm saving my pennies. 

- The MiniVan.

Oh how I love it.  A rite of passage really.  I had my eye on several non-minivan mom cars.  But fate brought us together.  In preparation for baby #3, we traded in the scion.  2010 consisted of quality time in the minivan.  My wipeable leather seats for the different bodily fluids, and Costco smoothies that my kids shared with them.  DVD player for when I need a babysitter in the car.  Ample room for sleeping, packing, and stuffing kids in for preschool pickup.  Many strategically placed drink holders for Diet Pepsi. 

- Marley potty trained.

This needs no explanation other than with Lincoln home and Beckham in pull-ups at night, 3 boxes of diapers was too much.

Marley's diapers had to go.  She had some rough times with the potty in the past, but pulled through.

-Beckham starting Preschool.

Having some time during the week with just two kids is so helpful.  

The first few weeks the teachers were telling me that I needed to have him tested for autism and ADD.  That was fun.  I had him tested, and he was fine.  He is Beckham.  His teachers and him worked it out and things go pretty smoothly most of the time.

-Health Insurance.

Hot topic huh?  Well, despite the flaws in the system or your political views, this year I was especially grateful for Nate's job and the health insurance they provide.  

Beckham had eye surgery, and it was covered.  

- Master Nate.

It was official.  Nice to have him home more and not worried about studying or tests.  I think 2011 will have more school though.  Here we go again.

- Crisis of faith.

What?  I never blogged about this because some things you just don't share.  It is a highlight because it was a really big deal to me, and I came out O.K.  Things got overwhelming for a while.  A new baby, 3 kids, church responsibilities, home responsibilities, you know, everything.

I was frustrated and angry.  I was tired.  And I wanted someone to make it better.  To fix things.  

Well, things didn't need to be fixed, I just had some growing to do.  It was really hard for a few months.  Sounds trivial in the big scheme of things, but isn't it the accumulation of these small experiences that shapes our character?  I was shaped. I'm sure there will be more and while I don't looked forward to them, I know I can get through them.

My highlight reel of 2010.

We could fill in the blanks with the rest that life offered us this year, but these are some of the big things that made an impact.

Peace out 2010.  It's been fun.