This Just In

I’m up early for a Sunday morning.? I went to bed too early last night is the problem, but I was excessively tired from doing so much in the month of December, I think it just finally hit me.? Not to mention that I had H1N1?clear up until around the 10th December.? I guess I really needed to sleep.? It’s left me up at 4 a.m. though, and my kitchen is now spotless and a batch of home made cinnamon rolls is halfway through it’s first rise.? Recipe and photos to follow later today.?

This is the last Sunday of the year.? I look back and wonder where the year went, it seemed to fly by so quickly.? So much has happened–coming out of my depression, getting my house organized, projects around the house, baking and cooking and living life again like I haven’t in two years…the summer job from hell…my aunt passing away; my friend Ruth from high school passing away (we didn’t keep in touch really…nor was I close to her…but she is remembered with love and fondness because she was truly a wonderful person); Evan finishing kindergarten and starting first grade; Carl getting really close to finishing school (one more year, you can do it kiddo!); quitting smoking (still smoke free and loving it!);?not to mention some other issues resolved, and others being worked on,?in my personal life that have helped immensely in so many areas.

This year has been rich with moments that are golden…my friend Nathan calls this “real time”.? I have been fortunate enough to recognize these moments in my life this year–living in the haze of depression dulls your senses and makes you listless…I was determined to really live?once the depression was over, and I have.? This blog is part of that–documenting my passion for baking (okay, and cooking too)–if I’m baking, I’m happy.?

Overall I’m pleased with this blog and its transformation into something I love this year.? I have blogged more faithfully than ever before, and 2010 will be even better.? I can’t promise I will do it every day, but I will do it as frequently as I do now, or more.? I’ve return to some of my old internet haunts, places I’ve loved to go to read but dropped out of during my depression.? This has been wonderful for me, to catch up again with all those that I lost touch with.

Below is my little man’s year in review in pictures.? I didn’t set out to do this, so I missed a couple of months for photos.? In?2010 I will make a conscious effort to record each month more faithfully.?

?It’s so cool to see how much he’s changed in twelve months.?

?Gone are the baby features for the most part…replaced with those of a young boy.? He’s very tall…a head taller than most kids in his class.? He jumped from size 6 pants to size 8, and to 10-12 shirts.? He goes through a pair of tennis shoes every two months–mainly because shoes are cheaply made, and he’s hard on them.

He’s so smart, and so funny.? He’s got a wonderful imagination and tells some pretty tall tales.? I call him “Big Fish”, after the movie.? He knows how to tell a story.

He loves to read, loves history and science.? And sharks.? Especially shortfin mako sharks.? They are a “red” on the fear factor chart you know.? This makes them completely fascinating.

He’s a baseball enthusiast, and can’t wait to play again?next year.?

He loves music and can’t get enough of the iPod he got for Christmas this year.

?I am really enjoying getting to know my little man as he grows, he’s a pretty wonderful person and at last (those who know me know what I mean here), I am in love with being his mom.

Click any of the photos below for a full size picture.

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Savor the rest of your weekend,

S.