#365/365--Zero

It's good to spend time with some good friends, cherishing your past year and the growth of new friendships.  It's also good to spend New Year's Eve in the safety and warmth of your home.  This year, we had our good friends over to eat, play games, watch movies, and do crafts.  I'd say tonight was full of great memories. 

Once again, it has been fun, interesting, entertaining, eye-opening, and at times stressful, trying to keep up with my "picture-a-day."  And, once again, I can look back at each entry and have multiple memories.  This year has been extra special because of how all my wonderful friends and family helped me celebrate my 40th year.

As always, there are highs and lows, good memories and bad ones.  With each memory comes emotions.  And those emotions make you feel alive.  I'll take the good with the bad (and the ugly) because that is where you grow and learn....and most importantly, hopefully, gain wisdom. 

At the ripe old age of 40, I sure could use that! 

#364/365--One

I know you think my son wears that crazy red hoodie in every picture...and you are right.  He absolutely does.  It's his "jacket," so to speak.  I promise he is wearing a clean, fresh shirt underneath.  And,  I promise I really do wash that nasty thing....

...aren't they amazing?  <3

#363/365--Two

((I know you probably can't tell, but I was really stuck in traffic--not driving!!))

...but I just thought I was having a bad day...

((This guy lost his chairs in the middle of the freeway))

It truly is all about perspective.

#362/365--Three

Clean sinks

#361/365--Four

Harry Potter Chess

 (and Michael's smile because he always wins.  Always.)

Ping Pong (or, Table Tennis, as it were)

#360/365--Five

Pokeno

#359/365--Junkie

I have found a new hobby...a new addiction, if you will.  I am an oxygen junkie.  I know, I know that sounds wrong.  We come by oxygen naturally, we breathe in, we exhale...it happens automatically, our bodies keeping us alive.  That's what I mean.  I like feeling alive.  I love inhaling.  No...not the "Clinton inhale."  But that crisp, fresh air I intake on my run.  That is my newest hobby.  Running.  I'm not good at it yet, but I love it.  I woke up this morning craving the deep inhales, the panting, the shortness of breath, the cold breeze through my hair.   After my run, while I was in "cool down" mode, I took some pictures.  Of things I probably wouldn't otherwise notice...

 

#358/365--Christmas

Our Tradition...

A Want...

A Need...

Something to Wear...

Something to Read...

And Stockings...

Merry Christmas 2011

Love,

Us Franco's

#357/365--One Dozen

Happy 12th birthday to my Angel.  

...a donut--his breakfast of choice-a reminder of my dad, 

who always got donuts for us when they were visiting.

My sweet son...

Who stayed up much too late last night...

...and was grouchy today.

Who is a master at chess...

...and also wit-filled comebacks.

Who makes me smile when I'm having a bad day...

...and also when he's in trouble.

Who loves to cook...

...and is growing in his love for reading.

My youngest child...

Who tried his hand (or, foot) at soccer...

...and also Whiz Quiz.

Who wants a bulldog...

...and is best friends with the dog we currently have.

Who dreams of his future...

...and enjoys being a child.

Michael.

Whose name means, "Who is like God?"...

...and has the very heart of a servant.

Who is a comedian...

...and a sensitive, wise individual.

Who thinks he loves me more...

and, yet, knows better.

My very own Christmas present.

Who wouldn't fit under a tree...

...and is already taller than me.

Merry 12th Birthday!

And a Happy Christmas, too.

#356/365--Celebrating Michael

Whirlyball (and Laser Tag)

Fun times.  <3

#355/365--Cookie-Boy Madness

More Franco fun...

...the whole army of "cookie-boys"...

...slaughtered-by-Santa-cookie-boy...

...wannabe-Justin-Bieber-cookie-boy...

...alien-cookie-boy...

 ...missing-an-arm-sticking-his-tongue-out-at-you-for-making-fun-of-him-cookie-boy...

...missing-a-leg-and-sad-because-that-mean-cookie-boy-next-to-me-made-me-lose-my-cookie-leg-cookie-boy...

...mean-cookie-boy-smashing-another-cookie-boy's-head-because-they-got-baked-together-cookie-boys...

...normal-cookie-boys...

...now-that's-just-laugh-out-loud-funny-cookie-boy...

...maybe NOW I'm in that Christmas spirit...
((Cookies created by my precious, creative children))

#354/365--Striving...

...to get into the Holiday Spirit...

 

 ...I went Christmas/stocking stuffer shopping...

...Lauren and I baked sugar cookies, made homemade frosting, and she decorated them...

...and I even went looking at Christmas lights (forcing myself to listen to Christmas music)...

I just can't seem to find that "spirit" anywhere.

Maybe I need a visit from Christmas Past, Present, and Future?

;-)

#353/365--Christmas Lights

#352/365--Utter Goofiness

I got an "interesting" make-up kit from a child (parent) in my class, for Christmas, this year.  My children thought it was fun playing in it...

...it's moments like these 

where I realize that

they are not as grown-up as they think they are...

...and then, I am relieved, 

that perhaps time

isn't going quite as fast

as it tries to make me think it is.