A New Year

Hello, 2013!  A whole new year is here, waiting to be lived, and we are definitely excited.  In this new year, we are certain that there are lots of new things to be learned, experiences to be had, and friends to be made, especially if 2012 was any indication of what is yet to come.  In looking forward to 2013, we reflect on 2012 and the head start that the last few months in our new home have brought.  Here are some insights that we have recently gleaned from our new home that we would like to share with you.

1. Humbling experiences are always just around the corner:
The question is, what you will do with them.  I found this out while walking Sahara to school for the first time in the ice and snow.  Like any good mother, I was being very proactive in warning her of all the hazards of icy hills, and on how careful she needed to be while while walking down them.  Practically in mid-sentence, a car drove by, and as I moved out of the way, lecturing Sahara all the while, I forgot to be careful myself.  In a split second, my feet were in the air, and I was looking up at the sky, flat on my back.  To make matters worse, I pulled Sahara down with me.  If you could have seen us, it would have been quite a sight.  A pregnant woman sprawled out on her back in the middle of an ice patch, and a screaming 4-year-old.  Now, whenever we walk to school in the snow, the rolls are reversed.  Sahara is the one constantly lecturing me on how careful I need to be while walking on ice.  Whether she does this for my sake, or so that I don't pull her down again, I am not sure.  Whatever the case, it was very humbling.  If she could only see her daddy, who has been spending some time on his own backside trying to snowboard down a mountain; I'm sure she'd have something to say about that as well. 

2. Four-year-olds have very unique perspectives about the world around them:
We could not figure out why Sahara would not eat the food at her preschool.  She said that it looked like it tasted good, but day after day she refused to even try.  Not even a bite.  Finally we sat her down and had a heart to heart with her about why she was refusing to eat.  In a serious and sad voice she said, "But if I eat that food from here, then I won't be American anymore."  Finally it all made sense.  Holding back laughter, we reassured her that just eating the food would not change where she is from, and what do you know?!  Now she eats and enjoys the food at school every day. 
 

3. Friends Are Like Cups of Coffee.  They Keep You Going Even When You Feel Drained: During this holiday season we have found that our friendships here and around the world have been so important in helping us keep going.  To all of you, you know who you are, and we sincerely thank you.  Our hope is that this new year will bring lots of new friendships, and that the ones we already have will be made even stronger.

So, here's to 2013!  Our hope for everyone is that this year is full of days we can love and live to the fullest, new strength to deal with new opportunities, new memories that we will never forget, and new friendships that we would never want to live without.  All the best to you, dear friends, this 2013!