new

I've been thinking about the old year and the new one...lots of thoughts. The Mayans thought the world would end in 2012. At one point, I thought mine would too. And then the world just kept turning around and I am still going with it.

When 2012 started, I had a feeling in my bones it would be eventful. I get everyone's Christmas letters and most years I think "I'm off the hook--nothing much has changed around here." Last year I envisioned how I would send out a Christmas card announcing a new house and a new baby a trip to Hawaii and Steven cancer free and walking. Some of my dreams came true. But when December came, I found I couldn't write anything Christmas cardy at all--to tell bad news hardly seemed festive. My family pictures all seem incomplete and so I passed this year.

Not all surprises were bad. To be honest, at one point I didn't think my sister, Alisa, would still be around. I'm so glad that I was wrong. She shows me everyday how to hope.

As I start a new year, I am trying so hard not to have too many expectations but at the same time be full of hope.

I did find a dog....I've searched hundreds of ads and hers was the first that really grabbed me. She isn't exactly what I was looking for, but it still feels right. Of course, she hasn't been here long, I hope my intution was right. For now we call her Molly, but don't get anything engraved yet...I have a tendency to change names. Her parents are a mini labradoodle and an Aussiedoodle, but she seems to be mostly Australian shepherd. I was hoping for a nonshedding dog, but I'm pretty sure she sheds. We are kind of in love with her already, though, so we may have to overlook that part.

My picture doesn't really do her justice, but isn't she cute? Doesn't that look just inspire hope for a great year?