Dear me

Dear me

I have accomplished a lot in the past year. More than I thought possible. I finished Sliver’s first book and wrote two more. Good. Now I have to find the time to edit them, which leads me to my first resolution.

Take a class for English punctuation and grammar.
To fit my schedule better I have started watching DVDs on this subject. It doesn't reflect on my older writings yet, but I have learned a few things and believe it is starting to make a difference in my newer efforts.

The kids love their new school and have learned more in the past five months than the two years prior. That’s awesome. I see my children thrive academically to heights that I didn’t know they were capable of. Here is the second resolution.

Support and encourage my children’s academic success.
Since the move the kids have yet another new school to deal with. The teachers, parents and staff are very welcoming and I think with continued parental support our boys will adapt easily.

Our neighborhood has gone from borderline bad to all out ghetto. There is a gang camping out on our block. People have been shot. It’s crazy. I never thought I would live in such a place. Less than two weeks ago I thought my last hour had arrived. As I put my children in the car to drive to the eye doctor a white SUV drove around the corner into our street. A young man stood in the car and had his whole torso sticking out of the passenger window. My middle son commented: “Look, mommy, they are playing war.”

Move away! We have given the landlord our notice and have started looking at places. We have seen almost a dozen of places. Not by the end of the year, but by the end of February we will live somewhere else.
We moved on February 24th, 2009. The new place has it all. Swimming pool, rec room, nice neighbors, awesome landlady, world class YMCA in walking distance. We've upgraded our life quality and pay less rent!

I haven’t had any real income in four years. Being a mommy and housewife has its charms. It does get boring and I fear I am growing stupid. Finding WDC has provided a new challenge and I love it. But there is more to life.

As soon as we have a new address I will find out where the closest Community College is and get my paperwork started. I have to pass the TOEFL. That’s an English proficiency test. Yeah, even with MY punctuation I can ace that. From there I will get my nurses diploma certified to US standards.
Hey, no pushing. I did a lot already in 2009. Yes, I'm slower with this, but I have found out which colleges have nursing courses in the area. In September, when all three boys are in school five days a week I will start meeting with counselors. I need my hands and head free for those bureaucratic endeavors.

My husband and I have gone through a lot of hardship the past three years. Our marriage is stable and we have grown as people. Here I can say:

Keep the great communication and honesty we have with each other alive. It’s our greatest asset.

That’s what I want for 2009.

I think it can be done.

The beginning of 2010 will tell …