Long Time No See

So it's been what, almost a full year since my last post? Wow. This has been one of the most challenging periods of my life, for many different reasons.

I'm not going to go into gory detail, as I try my best to focus on the positive, but I will explain some of it in future posts. Right now I just want to take a deep breath, exhale, and say, "Hello!" It's good to be back.

As I type this, I am not in the place I would like to be in my life. But I know that with every challenge comes learning and strength and insight that I would not have had without it. The words of Charles Dickens keep coming to mind, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." It's time for me to begin sifting through the moments, focusing on the joy, tossing out the muck, and discovering the gifts and nuggets of gold I know are there.

One of these gifts is that no matter what, I have laughter, love, and fun with my children. The love we have for each other, the silly giggles we share over dinner (or rolling on the floor) are precious, beautiful memories that can never be taken away. And they are there waiting to be created at any given moment, despite financial hardship or any other problems we face in life. And that is the greatest gift.

Life can be so bizarre and unpredictable. Once in a while it even seems surreal. I've yet to see the new "Alice in Wonderland" movie, but on more than one occasion I've felt as though I'd fallen down the proverbial Rabbit Hole, where nothing was familiar or certain.

Yet if you think about it, the bizarre and unfamiliar often provide the adventures of a lifetime. And what is life without adventure? Lame. And with a 7 year old son and a MacBook Pro, it can be a ton of fun.

These next 2 minutes of video make me smile every time I watch. They are random, unscripted goofiness. And I love it. May a smile cross your face and a childlike joy find you as you witness some of our silliness.

It's nice to see you again. Thanks for coming back to my adventure.

Many Smiles,
Monica