Guess What I'm Recapping!

All of the news sources are doing it--looking back on 2012 and creating best of, worst of, and never want to see/hear again lists. As we near resolution declarations, I thought to look back at our wild 2012 and, more importantly, gear up for what's to come in 2013. In brief fashion, because few care to relieve my life, here is our 2012: the year the world didn't end.



In 2012 Levi became a mover. First he crawled, then at 11 months, walked, and now he can dance to music ("Gangnam Style" is his favorite) and run. Levi also learned to climb and has become quite resourceful with using objects of various heights and sturdiness (read: the dog) to reach his desired destinations. Levi says Daddy, Mommy, and some form of Gooey which we think stands for Norah or Pippa, depending. He can high five, billy goat, and give kisses. He consistently and without problems sleeps in his crib for at least 10 hours each night. The worst part of his year was just last week with his first (and we hope his last) trip to Riley Children's Hospital for dangerously low platelet counts. Zach and I had never considered what we'd do if one of our children were sick, and a parents' worst fears flashed before us for those 20 hours from doctor's phone call at 8 p.m. to hematologist's confirmation that all is well the following 3 p.m. Neither of us had ever been so scared. The situation, as horrible and sudden as it was, also ended up being one of the year's biggest blessings. Levi is perfectly fine, and Zach and I became much closer through the ordeal. I was reminded how precious our life is, and I have a renewed determination not to take anything for granted.

Norah blossomed more than we thought an already creative, outspoken little girl could. She graduated from preschool, joined Pop Warner Tiny Mites, started kindergarten, learned to read, and became a more confident and intelligent individual. In the last two weeks she has challenged herself to sleep with only a lava lamp on (instead of an actual lamp) and continues to eat crazy amounts of meat and vegetables in the hopes that she'll grow the remaining two inches needed to reach Disney World ride height requirements. She is bound and determined to go on the Tower of Terror with her cousins in March when all 13 of us trek to Orlando for spring break. We've already decided to pad her shoes with socks if need be, but it's cute to watch her set goals. 2012 also brought a renewed belief in Santa and the magic of Christmas.

As for me, this past year I stepped out of my comfort zone (majorly) and took on direction of a school play. I finally feel in control and confident in my classroom. The state's changes to evaluations have shaked that confidence, but I'm choosing to focus on what I can control and remain positive. I've also taken my future into my own hands by FINALLY committing to writing my novel. I've counted a novel as my biggest goal since I was 11 and read Harriet the Spy for the first time, but I've never ventured into the realm of actually doing anything toward writing one. A month ago I crafted my main character and the basic rough storyline. I also decided to move National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo, which is November annually) to January for myself. By January 31, I will have written at least 50,000 words. Now that you've read that last sentence, it has to happen. If you see me or talk to me at all during January, ask me how my writing is going. One industrious student has committed to writing his novel with me, so I'm hoping the responsibility of inspiring a 15-year-old will be enough to keep me honest. I really am excited about the process, though. The 31 day deadline forces me to get out of my head, turn off my perfectionism, and literally get the words out of my body. After that, the hard work (for me, at least) will be done. Revising and editing make me smile and dance with joy, so I could do that for the rest of 2013 happily. Writing the book is the hurdle. So, here is my official 2013 resolution: complete NaNoWriMo and then be proud of myself. I just added that second part, and then thought to mark the follow-up goal, because I realize while typing this that that may actually be more difficult than doing the work. I'll let you know how the entire process goes, and you let me know that you expect me to follow through on something for a change. Teamwork, kids!

As for the rest of the upcoming year, we're planning a joint anniversary trip with two other couples for the fall, we want to take Norah and Levi to a lot of fun, educational, memory-making places, and we want to really focus on saving money so we can start planning for Wild Baby No. 3. That also includes dreams for a larger house, with more than one bathroom, a garage, and a larger yard, as well as "scheduling" that baby's arrival as best we can so I don't have to take off a lot of time during the school year. I know you can't really schedule a baby, and I know we'd be ecstactic whenever God delivers our next bundle of joy (me, moreso than Zach--he'll only be ecstatic if that arrival is a ways off), but planning works for our family so we're going to keep doing it.

I'm off to enjoy the rest of the day with the Wild fam. Zach and I got to sleep in today (which NEVER happens) as the kids slept at their grandparents' house, and then I did Bethenny Frankel's yoga DVD. Feeling very centered and zen-like :) I also have a new book, Gone Girl, I'd really like to dig into today. When I really look at it, 2012 was a good year. I have the feeling, however, that 2013 will be much better.

Happy New Year, readers! See you next year.

The view from up here

November is already over? It was by far the busiest month of my year. I had the fall play to prepare for (which debuted November 2) and birthdays for both children--which of course means two birthday parties. Norah had her first friends party at the bowling alley, and Levi's first birthday was celebrated with a monster theme (so fun!) at the fire station. My little one year old amazes me every day. He is starting to communicate effectively now, even though most of his "words" sound like EE! He is running everywhere and into everything. Being a mom is by far the most amazing thing I've ever done. I can't wait to do it again. Zach says I can wait, so maybe in a couple of years Levi will become a big brother. For now, we're working really hard at establishing a functioning budget/savings system, making improvements to the house so we can move to something larger eventually, and preparing for our third anniversary trip with friends who share similar wedding dates. We're thinking Puerto Rico or the Dominican; any recommendations? Our life has been a little less wild lately but no less sweet.

As far as my first foray into theater is concerned, my cast's production of "Les Miserables" was nothing short of a triumph. My students dazzled me with their dedication and hard work; I threw a complicated, challenging script at them and gave them one month from table read to opening night. Critics told me I was crazy, that a month wasn't even close to enough time, that I was bound to drive myself to an ulcer and an on-stage failure. I felt confident making my rehearsal schedule given the opening night date, but their lack of faith pushed me that much harder to prove them wrong. My students responded to my expectations and then surpassed them. That's what I love about teaching--I'm surprised every day, and I'm learning as much from them as they are from me. Opening night was a bit rocky as far as nerves and memory, but I couldn't have been prouder. The second performance featured a skipped scene in Act I, which gave my students a chance to ad lib and recover seamlessly, and a nearly flawless Act II. Our time crunch forced us all to buckle down and focus; we had no time to rest or get sloppy. Watching my cast perform their pre-show ritual (probably a top secret theater thing I shouldn't repeat for fear of cursed shows in the future) I got that warm, tingly feeling of connection. Students from all walks of life came together as a family of miserable ones, and it was beautiful. My mentor recommended walking away from the experience for a bit and "letting the dust settle" before I decided whether I'd direct again, but I really didn't need that time. Sitting in the back of the audience, watching them perform, I knew I wanted to do this again. I grew as a teacher and a person, and I couldn't be prouder.

This month I've got the countdown to Christmas break happening. I'm excited for Levi to really experience his first Christmas (last year he was basically a lump), and Norah is loving her Elf on the Shelf, Flyer. She is learning to read and is recognizing new words every day. That's a wonder to watch. A couple of my lifelong best friends are returning to the midwest this month, too, so we have amazing wine-filled rendezvous planned. I have also decided to move NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month, which is November) to January. Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, I am cranking out a 50,000+ word novel before February. I've sketched out my main character and a rough idea of the plot, but I'm mostly letting it ripen in my brain until year's end. Then, it's buckle down time. I kind of love the idea that it doesn't have to be good. I just have to force it out in 31 days. I've been wanting to write a novel since I was a teen, and I've realized that there will never be a good time to tackle something like this. January encouragement will be wholly welcomed. I also intend on getting back to blogging more regularly, so if you've missed me dearly, fret not. Mama Wild is back!