Our pretty prancing pony
Well here it is, the last day of 2008. What a year we had. I suppose the best way to define it for the Wilson family, is to declare it, the year of moving forward, the year of change. We bought our new home in March, something we weren't sure we would be able to do. We dreamed of it, we hoped and prayed. We are happy home owners and have settled in quite well.
Our baby, our sw
eet girl, started school! I sure wasn't ready for that to happen. I knew it was inevitable, but I still wasn't ready to say good bye to preschool for ever. I have had someone home with me every day for the last 13 years and it is just strange when the house it completely empty. Of course, she only goes half days, so that is making it a bit easier. A better transition. She also discovered the great fun of scissors on her long beautiful hair.. well, only one side.My oldest baby.. he...he became a ...a....teenager! How did THAT happen? I'm pretty sure I didn't sign any papers in the hospital saying he was allowed to become a teen. But lo and behold, I have one sleeping in the room across the hall from me. He has gone into 8th grade this year.. his last year of being a middle schooler. Next year.. he will be in high school, and I will be in a padded room somewhere, so please be sure to come visit. He is still trying to figure out who he
is, where his place is, not only in his own life, but within his friends and friendships. He has really made us proud with his choices he's made with his friends. The boys(ok and girls) he's brought home have been respectful and intelligent and you can actually hold a conversation with them! It's amazing. He's had a few bumps along the way, but he's always figured it out and walked away from those friendships. His grades have been great this year as well. He has been getting his homework done, bringing home A's and B's.. he has brought home the occasional C or D, but those grades are quickly changed to A's and B's when he gets whatever he needs to do, done. He's been quite responsible about it. I always knew he had it in him, it was just a matter of getting him out of that dreaded inner city school, and into this one he's in now. He learned how to do CAD (Computer aided drafting), he designed and made his own multi level video games. He has made such a change this year. Moving him away from the bad influences of his old school, was the best decision we've made. He had his first boy/girl party, he's teaching himself how to be better at skateboarding, he's grown... ahem.. taller than me. He's now focused on getting taller than Grandma.. and he's not far off! He has also found a passion for videotaping(is it even called that anymore?) short movies, that he posts on YouTube.Josh and Ryan, aka the twins, have found a new passion for starting their own rock band... The Flaming Hot Cheetos. They dreamed of owni
ng their own instruments and going out on the road and having concerts. Josh is the drummer, Ryan, the guitarist. Before any of this even started flowing, they made sure to come to me and ask if, once they started making money, having concerts, if they could have a mini fridge in their room and a cupboard full of snacks. Some healthy and some not. That was their selling point, that they'd have SOME healthy stuff in it, but mostly pop and candy. Not to mention, they also asked for cell phones, but only once they go on the road, making lots more money. How can I turn that down? I didn't! For Christmas, Santa came through and brought Josh his first drum set, and Ryan got his much fawned over, arrow electric guitar. Now, all they need are LESSONS! oy! I'd be happy if Josh could just find a good beat, and not the same old one over and over and over and over and over... Ryan plays the guitar like August Rush plays it in his movie. From the neck. They are quite the musical 
sensation.. they'll be playing the Rose Garden before we know it! Those two are quite funny. I think my favorite thing about them this year, is how close they've become. One isn't right, without the other close by. They miss each other when one is gone. It's like.. well.. twins! Of course I cannot forget my loving husband. This year has had it's moments of sorrow and pain and confusion for me. He helped me through all of it and never complained one time. He is a great husband and daddy and he just keeps proving that to me, every day. The man he has become and continues to become makes me proud of him. He has come a long way, through a lot of demons, and his faith and love for his family really makes him shine. I really couldn't be more proud of him..
This year has also been one of heartache. Losing a dear friend.. Stacey. She was someone I never met face to face, but knew, inside and out, because for the last several years, she had opened up her life and heart and soul to us. She passed away, in a room full of butterflies, just as she should. During her fight with this brain cancer, she showed me just how strong real women are, and how, even in the face of adversity and pain and betrayal, she had the best attitude and a smile that shined through all of our hearts. She is truly missed.
Looking into 2009, I don't know what it will bring, what we will face, what we will achieve, what we will over come, but I know one thing.. the Wilson family will do it together. We are 6 strong and our strong faith in God and the support of our families, just means we will not falter, no matter what is put before us. We will come through, we will always win,against anyone or anything that tries to tear our family down. I couldn't be more proud of my family..and 2009 is going to be another defining year for us.. I can feel it!
I hope everyone has a great and SAFE New Year's Eve.. drink responsibly, don't drink and drive, don't drink and DIAL. Be safe, have fun and try to stick to your new years resolutions longer than a week :)
Wishing you all joy, peace, health and wisdom in the year ahead. Happy New Year!
Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
