Better late than never?  Good things come to those who wait?  Yeah, I have nothing original for you.  Suffices to say that 2013 was the craziest year to date for my family.  That's saying a lot.  Whoa.  Backing it up.... my last posts were zoo drama and me being irritated about people giving my daughter the stink eye.  So here's a little bit of what we've been up to in the past year and half (ouch):

• 2 surgeries
• Beanie's (girl, 7) school closing
• Beanie's new school not being a good fit
• ADHD diagnosis for Beanie
• Finally opted to homeschool Beanie (1st grade)
• 25% of the way through an M.A. in Education
• Nosy neighbors calling the authorities on us, prompting a series of investigations
• Hot water heater dies in the middle of January

Yeah, um... It kind of sucked.  Here are a few things I've figured out (the hard way), though (Note: I do not like ending sentences with prepositions, but "out which I've figured" sounds infinitely stupid) (Yes, I like parentheticals):

1. We're still here, stronger than ever
2. Sitting on my butt for everyone's school means I have to eat better
3. All of my children are not required by law to go to the same school; each child is different and has different needs
4. At least I had heat when I had no hot water
5. At least we had the money (read: plastic) to buy a new hot water heater
6. We know who we are; the opinions of nosy neighbors are only as relevant as I permit them to be
7. I have one judge, and it is not anyone I meet at Target, school, or driving on the freeway
8. It's better to pray for (as sincerely as I can muster) the nosy neighbors and other metiches I meet that judge me than to take it to heart (see also #7)
9. Nothing is permanent
10. Everything happens for a reason; it's all part of The Plan
11. Clearly, I am not God, so it is not my place to always know The Plan
12. Happiness is a state of mind (happiness is also yelling BINGO!)
13. Breathe

So my words are as pointed as ever.  My facial expressions are still entirely readable and profoundly silly.  I've got a little less attitude and a little opener (that really should be an adjective) heart.  This should be interesting.....

-rock