[x] You know it's been awhile when you have to read the last post you wrote since it was sooooo long ago, you haven't the foggiest idea of what was said. OVER A MONTH (!) since my last entry. One of these days, I'll stick with the "blog-at-least-once-a-week" goal I arbitrarily set for myself (over and over and over). So let's play catch up...

[x] Thanksgiving was lovely, albeit simple. It was an entirely vegan meal and for that, I felt especially grateful. My parents are such good sports, I tell you. I have a lot to be thankful for this year. Don't get me wrong...I have a lot to be thankful for every year, but this year...yeah, it's definitely topped the charts in a million different ways.

[x] December brought a bit of stress, but the good outweighed the bad tenfold.

+ K. had a lot of time off in December. It was fantastic. I think it's safe to say we are more in love than ever and it feels so very good. <3
+ K. was off work Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and NYE (our anniversary) both this year *and* next. Leap year FTW.
- The kids have been sick on and off. Bear had a hacking cough, LF had a cold, and Sunshine was hit hard AGAIN in December. I don't have the time to detail it all out, but ugh...ready to kick all this sickness ish to the curb, once and for all. It's my one gripe about the winter weather, I tell you.
+ My best friend (since the first grade, mind you) found out that her baby-on-the-way is a GIRL! I am SO excited to be an auntie; I cannot wait for April to arrive! When I get to thinking about it all, I feel so excited that I could just burst! I already shopped off her registry and I can't wait until the items I purchased arrive at my house. I'm beyond crazy about this little girl already. <3
- We were in a car accident. In our beloved angel van. And it was, unfortunately, K.'s fault. And we did, of course, annihilate a Lexus (the driver was fine, though). Huge props to the CPD, the CFD (especially the two amazing paramedics who took us to Children's despite being oh-so-close to Northwestern), Chicago's Streets & Sanitation, and CMH (their pediatric ER is second to none, I tell you).
+ While that's been a little stressful, things have calmed down a bit. We're hoping to finish repairs to the angel van (it's still totally drivable, though) by the end of this month/early next month. It could've been a lot worse and for that alone, I am so, so thankful.
- Three years ago last month brought such intense joy with a positive pregnancy test, but ended in heartbreak due to miscarriage.
+ Four years ago, December brought such intense joy with the arrival of my sweet Beauty. I will forever remember weeping openly in O'Hare upon holding her for the first time. She is such a true light in my life. <3
+ By law, we had to foster Sunshine for six months before we could move toward an adoption plan. Well, we hit the six month mark in mid-December! Oh, how I adore this little girl so! I swear...with the four kids I've got? I'm the luckiest mom in the world. <3
+ LF is switched rather unsuccessfully to a toddler bed, but we've been trying different solutions and so far...so good. She's back in toddler bed action. She also started speech therapy and is absolutely rocking it; in the past few weeks alone, she's really tried to imitate sounds and words. She is amazing.
+ We attended an IEP review for Sunshine and holy cow, am I ever impressed with her progress! She's totally "getting" cause and effect and is rocking out switch use (with her cheek). It's amazing to watch and even just thinking about it now...I am bursting with pride.
+ Bear has been extra helpful around the house as of late. He'll do anything for his sisters, I tell you--especially LF. She's had him wrapped around her finger since the day she arrived. I love it so much. And I love, love, love the love they share. So beautiful, so pure, so very good.
+ Christmas was amazing this year for so many different reasons. The kids loved their gifts and I felt "more" this year than I ever have. It was beautiful, and I am so grateful for the many incredible people in my life.
+ We had our tree and decorations down by the early morning hours of 12/25. Forreal! We needed space for all the kids' new loot so it worked out beautifully.
+ I finally got my new(est) tattoo. After the miscarriage, I wanted to find something to symbolize Bean but I wasn't ready for a long, long time. I finally felt ready, and getting the image I chose (it's beautiful) to symbolize Bean, renewal, and rebirth was very, very healing for me. I told K. that I wouldn't be able to do it until I found a great sense of peace in my heart. It's been a long time coming, but that peace...it is finally here. I'm planning to make a half sleeve of the project over time. I went to a new artist (and subsequently, a new studio), and his talent is just unreal. I'm beyond elated with the results, and that's putting it mildly.
+ NYE was quiet and low key, just the way we like it. I had a hair appointment (entirely pink now!) and we spent the night together as a family. This NYE also marked our sixth wedding anniversary. Six years already! It's been an incredible ride, and there is no one else on this earth who completes me so beautifully. I truly married "up". I couldn't ask for more in a husband. Our love has been entirely renewed this year and it is an indescribable feeling of pure bliss. So yeah...things are good.
+ I feel very positive about 2012 for so many different reasons. I feel more vibrant and full of life and passion than I've felt in years. I feel so full of hope, so full of love. I took a big deep breath upon leaving the house this morning and my lungs felt as though they've never been so grateful to just experience the air. I am determined to make the most of 2012 in every possible way. It's going to be a helluva ride, but I'm strapped in and ready to rock.

[x] I have lots more to blog about, but I just wanted to dip my toe back in the proverbial blogging pond with a general update. I really do miss writing here and while I'm not one for "resolutions", I hope to write here with at least a tiny bit of regularity. But time will tell, no?

Happy 2012, my friends! My love to you and yours and all the best for an amazing new year! <3