To Start Anew

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

I love January 1.  I love starting a new year with a fresh new outlook (read–positive outlook) and nothing but endless possibility.  I am certainly starting this new year with a fresher and more positive outlook than I ended 2008 with.  The end of 2008 so much seemed to rain down upon me towards the end of the year–I am pretty sure that was apparent in my complete and utter lack of posting in December and those posts that I did happen to publish were completely void of all substance and intelligence.  I am happy to say that I completely refreshed and I have to admit that it helped to unplug for much of December and focus on myself and my family. 

I am not a big resolution maker because I just feel as though it puts totally unnecessary pressure on myself to be “perfect” for whatever I have resolved to do.  Because of that I try to make goals for the year and make them be concrete.  I use to say “I resolve to be healthier.”  But really what does that mean.  It isn’t clear cut and I like clearly defined success and clearly defined failure.  I like to know where I am going and how I am progressing.

A few of the things I am holding myself accountable for this year are:

Losing weight–at least 80lbs (aiming for 100)

Getting my office organized and keeping it organized

Not creating piles of crap and paper becasue I am too lazy to put it where it goes

Exercising at least 30 min every day–with my Wii Fit there is no excuse anymore

Taking better care of myself

Spending more time enjoying my children

Getting a full-time teaching job

Ride my bike

(oh and we are doing IVF (want to start in july)–so getting pregnant is now on my list too)

What A Year

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

I can’t believe another year has come and gone.  So much has changed and continues to change.  I have never been much of a New Year’s Eve big hoopla fan.  I prefer to spend the night with close friends and/or family.  That has been how some of my best New Year’s have been spent.  I am happy that 2008 is over.  It has been an amazing and tough year.  But, I look forward to what 2009 will bring.

Yearly recap is short sentences–

January: Noah saw Sesame Street live and was mesmerized and got to experience the joy of collecting beads at his first Mardi Gras Dog Parade. 

February: I got to meet the most amazing families at our first annual Wannafest.  We also got Zoë’s referral.  It was great.

March:  Noah’s first Easter egg hunt–hung out with the Easter bunny and he turned 2.

April:  Celebrated my 8th anniversary.  Watched my brother run his first Ultra Marathon.  Zoë’s case was filed in court in Ethiopia.  Went to New Orleans with my best friend and had a blast.

May: I graduated with my MA in English and Zoë’s case passed court and she was officially our daughter. 

June:  Hubby ran his first 5k and I went to Ethiopia to meet my daughter and brought her home.  My dad traveled to Ethiopia with me–making his first trip out of the country.

July:  Noah got to set off his first bunch of fire works on the 4th and got to have birthday cake with his daddy.  We spent a lot of time getting to be a family of 4. 

August:  Noah had his first dentist appointment and we made our first futile attempt to get rid of his binky(he still has it).  My brother Jeff attempted a 100 mile run–he dropped out with an injury after 50+ miles in the snow and sleet at 12,000 feet.  We celebrated our second Family Day with Noah.  I had a birthday (not a big fan of birthday’s anymore).

September:   Noah started attending a Mom’s Day Out program–loved it.  Started my PhD program.  Remodeled our bathroom and Noah got his first stamp in his US Passport.

October:  Halloween–Noah went trick or treating for the first time.  Hubby and I left the kids for the first time for a great weekend in San Francisco.

November:  Voted for the first African American president of the US.  Zoë turned 1.  EOR had it’s first Art for Ethiopia sale and it was a smashing success.

December:  Zoë has been home for 6 months.  Noah had his first Santa Christmas. 

It’s been a pretty good year and is going to end great.  Hubby just called–he spent the morning calling local spas to try and get me a massage and a pedicure.  He’s on his way home so I can make a 12:30 massage appointment and a 2pm pedicure.  I am so in love with him at the moment. 

Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year’s celebration.  See you next year.

A Christmas Whirlwind

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

Christmas has come and gone and after three days and five celebrations I am very happy it is over. The kids got spoiled by everyone and it was nice to get together with family. I am exhausted from it all. Here are some pics from the festivities. Hope everyone’s holiday was filled with happiness, joy and love.

Watch Out Boys, She’s A Screamer

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 3 Comments

Zoë loves to scream.  It is her preferred choice for all things, good and bad.  When she sees something she wants to she points and screams as though saying “hey you up there–give.me.that.right.now.”

She is quite hilarious and so totally different than Noah.  The fridge opens and she comes running.  You’re eating something different than her–no need to finish eating what in her mouth she just flings that from her mouth onto the ground and screams for what you have. 

I am ready for her to talk as the screaming is really beginning to get on my nerves like you wouldn’t believe.  She’s napping now and has been for about 40 minutes yet, I still have a headache.  But she smiles that cute little scrunchy face smile and all is forgotten.  Well maybe not forgotten but certainly forgiven. 

But, boy can that girl scream.