Normal Me.

I'm generally of the opinion that being "normal" is not a good thing, so when someone told me I was normal the other day, I had to take a step back and think. I didn't like what that might entail: acting like everyone else? Thinking like everyone else? I suppose I have a "normal" life. That doesn't bother me. But being a normal person does.

Looking back, I am sure that I was not a normal child. But the qualities that made me abnormal were all bad: extreme sensitivity, emotional immaturity, OCD, anxiety, etc. So if I have graduated to normal, maybe it's an improvement. Is it because I like the same things everyone else does? I like chocolate, coffee, secretly like some reality TV shows (Duck Dynasty, I admit it), tend to read books on the New York Times bestseller list, etc.

I don't have an adventurous streak, travel bug, or the desire to make a grand, world-changing discovery. I'm not overly quirky. I immerse myself in mom-tasks and details--and I love doing that, for the most part. If I'm normal, though, I'm just more noise on a crowded, normal planet. But of course, attempting to not be normal for its own sake would completely defeat the purpose. I have no solution. I'm just trying to process this new thought. No one likes to hear that they're a cookie cutter person.

Blank Pages

S & Q on January 1, 2013

S & Q on January 1, 2014

I don't know why, but I feel unerringly optimistic about 2014. It just feels so new and full of possibilities. I like the idea of authoring my life and of today being the first blank page that I set my pen to for this year's novel. I spent a lot of time today enjoying my small family--watching S tickle Q on the couch as she giggled and giggled, taking Q to visit her great grandma in the hospital and discovering that she looks infinitely better than she did yesterday (when she didn't even realize we were there).

And Q woke up at NINE this morning. NINE, I TELL YOU. Do you know when that has ever happened? Do you?! Never. It has never happened. S and I attended a party last night that resulted in us climbing into bed at 2am. As I drifted to sleep, I thought to myself, "Ugh, this means I'll only get about 5-6 hours." But I woke up refreshed and elated to the sounds of Q babbling to herself over the baby monitor at 9am. We ascended the stairs and found that my mother-in-law had prepared blueberry waffle batter, which I made into heart-shaped waffles drizzled with syrup. Also today, I worked out to a fitness video while Q chilled in her playpen for 30 whole minutes without making any complaint. That in itself is a small miracle.

And you know what? I'm going to see a moose this year. I can just feel it in my bones.

Good things: My mother comes to visit in two weeks. My husband and I attended a great party last night; I had fun despite not knowing another soul there, and I am excited at the potential of new friends this year. One of my best friends is bringing her daughter to hang out with me and Q, tomorrow. Q's (much older) cousins stopped by for a visit and gave her a stuffed glowing seahorse that plays music and water sounds. And I am sipping the most delicious sparkling wine I've ever tasted--I'm not even sure it has alcohol in it.

So here's to you, 2014! I expect great adventures, personal growth, family, good books, love, and industriousness! And moose. Please don't forget moose.