[x] Happy FOURTH Birthday to my sweet Sunshine! I'm now the proud mom of two awesome four year olds. I think she's had a great day so far, and she so deserves it. She's brought us more joy than I could ever possibly describe. It seems like we met her only yesterday, but in the same breath...I can't remember a life without her. I love this little girl so much, I do, I do. <3

[x] The remaining trifecta is doing well. Bear, while having the ever-so-expected five year old mood swings, is still loving Kindergarten. The Kindergarteners, 1st, and 2nd graders at his school started a basketball league and he signed up. Practice starts next week. He is so excited (and I am, too). K. is going to be an assistant coach. So cute! Beauty is doing well, too. We're having her reevaluated later this month (did I already blog about this?) because she's still measuring a year behind in basically everything. She's got a hugely proactive teacher this year, and she's been really instrumental in backing our concerns. We are both elated that someone is finally listening to us! Obviously, we want the best for Beauty and her teacher does, too. It's so good. And so very refreshing. LF is talking up a storm. A lot of it is "babble speak" but she's trying to communicate and we couldn't be more proud. I've been trying to catch an "in action" (talking) video clip on my phone for her mom, but so far I haven't had much luck. Such a stinker--she knows when I'm trying to videotape her, I just know it! Some of her words are becoming really clear, too. Awesome! And she's doing great with her DT-V (and we absolutely love her--have I mentioned that?). We're hoping to get both LF and Sunshine into The Chicago Lighthouse's low-vision clinic as soon as humanly possible. At the last optho appointment, both of them were deemed to have healthy eyes but we really need the type of eval TCL can provide. Our pediatrician faxed over a referral so we will hopefully hear back within a few weeks. So far, so good. All four kids are awesome, but admittedly...I might be a bit biased, no?

[x] We have OMGSOMANY appointments coming up. Seventeen by June to be exact. Craziness! Between LF and Sunshine, we have quite the schedule. February is rather ridiculous. And by "rather", I kinda sorta mean "entirely". But it's all good. February also holds my favorite-ever holiday (yes, my favorite holiday is, in fact, Valentine's Day). I know, I know...let the hating begin. Blah, blah, blah, hallmark-holiday-shouldn't-take-a-day-to-show-your-love-you-should-do-so-all-year, blah, blah, blah. But I see it like this: winter, especially after Christmas, can be kind of, well, bare. Maybe even a little desolate and/or depressing if snow and cold isn't your thing. Valentine's Day is a bright spot, a random time to celebrate friendship and love. So those fundamentally opposed to V-Day, don't try to rain on my parade, okay? Haters to the left!

[x] I went for another tattoo a few days ago. It's itchy and annoying right now, but it's healing beautifully. Unfortunately, I still have another two hours on it (owwwww!). But the artist behind my half-sleeve-in-progress, David Allen, is incredible. Not only does he completely debunk the "I'm so much cooler than you" tattoo artist stereotype, but he is so full of heart and depth and authenticity that he's the kind of person you'd want to know even if he's wasn't working his magic all over your skin. His talent speaks for itself, and I can pretty much guarantee I'll never go to another artist as long as I live (well, provided David stays in Chicago forever, that is . I've set up several sessions from April through October in hope that I'll be able to complete the half sleeve by the time we renew our vows in November. But even then, I have so many other projects I want to tackle. I want to turn the half sleeve into a full one, and finish out my other arm (and it still has quite some work left). And then there's the piece I want on my leg...yeah, the list is pretty much endless. So it goes. I love getting tattooed (and semi-related, I love this commercial, too). I'm not one for needles, but the end result...oh, man. It's just so worth it.

[x] Since, say, my birthday in November, I've been on a journey of self-discovery. It's been pretty amazing, albeit challenging at times. I really dig it. The older I get, the more I learn about who I am, what makes me tick, how grateful I am for all I've been given, all I've experienced (even the bad), and all those who make my world what it is. I'm really, really into appreciation right now. I've picked up meditation on the regular again, and it's made a tremendous difference in both my energy level and my overall outlook. We've hit some stressful points as of late in which I'm reminded that money is, in fact, the root of all that's evil in this world, but I've been able to turn it around as soon as it springs into action. I keep saying "this too shall pass", and it will. Keeping the faith is keeping it real, you know?

[x] My brother's birthday is at the end of this month, and man...I miss him. I wish New Mexico was located in place of, say, Indiana. Our relationship has really developed over the past few years and for that, I am so, so grateful. I have no doubt that he's in my corner, and I hope he has no doubt that I'm in his. Wish we could spend his birthday with him. Anyone have a teleporter?

[x] Speaking of travel, Bear has it in his head that we're going to Disney this year. It was February, but now our (non-existent) trip might be in April instead. Where did he get this? How do kids come up with this sort of thing? Maybe we'll win a vacation and he just has a gut feeling about it. I could rock out Disney. Personally, I'd be happier with a trip here, but hey...if Bear's premonition is right, a free trip is a free trip, no?

[x] Okay, I've gotta get a move on and put the finishing touches on Sunshine's cake. It's been beautiful here in the Chicagoland area--uncharacteristically warm--but within the next few days, winter is supposed to move on in. I'm ready for it. The kids are waiting (im)patiently for snow. And so is K., since he happens to have an amazing snow thrower. He is dying to test that baby out. And this is all from a guy who hates winter with every fiber of his being.

Peace, my friends! <3