End of a year

It's New Year's Eve.

Much of the city is out partying (I suspect). At least much of our apartment block. But with 2 under 2 we are home, and L has gone to bed. I don't think my babies understand that tomorrow is a good day to sleep in.

So I'm having a rare moment of peace to reflect, and am reflecting on the year past.

Wrote some questions...

- What have been the highlights from 2011?

giving birth to LL is definitely one of the biggest highlights. It is with great delight that I think about the whole event: labour, birth, the early days with a new external member of our family. What a privilege.

- What have been some significant relationships in 2011?

my wonderful mum's group has been one source of great conversation and journeying. It's been very special to share in the lives of these women as their babies grow into toddlers.

- What challenges have been part of 2011?

It's been a year of constant effort. One child goes to sleep, the other needs attention. Sometimes (often) both need me at once. It's felt hard to have much time for much else, unless it's mixed into a multi-tasking effort. L and I are weary, and have had great patches of connecting, but also many times where it's harder to say much beyond the business transactions of who's cooking dinner and which child needs a new nappy.

Living as 4 in a unit is also a challenge, with it's good points (learning the discipline of culling our stuff, for example!). But it's been hard fitting in an ever increasingly active toddler, a baby with all the add ons, and then having a spare surface to do something I find relaxing like sewing (oh and the overhead of getting out the machine knowing it needs to go back before the toddler wakes!). It's been a joy to host people even when we feel pressed for space though.

- What am I thankful for from 2011?

My husband who listens very well and patiently (when we catch pockets of time!)
E, who is growing and developing at a remarkable rate. He's learning so much so fast and makes me laugh often.
Meeting LL and watching E and LL enjoy each other
The people who have asked me tough questions.
The people who gave us meals, gifts, cards and various other sorts of love before and after LL was born.
God's faithfulness and sovereignty through some personal and wider challenges.
The privilege of good health.
C.S. Lewis and his book 'Screwtape Letters'.
People who have thought hard about babies and sleeping and written books about how to help it happen.
The people who have asked me spontaneously how I'm going and have meant it.
Models of perseverence and grace.
The simple delight of sitting down to think.
Slings and wraps for carrying babies that have revolutionised my capacity to care for 2 little ones especially in the newborn days.
The people who L works with.
Sara Groves and Colin Buchanan.
Visits with my great grandfather, including singing songs with him that he sang as a young adult.
Friends are still alive.
Marriages are still intact.


There's a few thoughts.

Anyone else doing any reflecting at the end of this year?