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I've really accomplished a lot this year. I enrolled Sophie in school, started Jude in daycare, started college...

I found out this year that Sophie has Sensory Processing Disorder. We've been in therapy for that since April. She's gone from barely speaking and having a lot of behaviour issues to talking a blue streak and barely acting out these days aside from what a typical 4 year old would do. She's happy and thriving. I am so proud of all the strides she has made this year. Her intelligence is incredible! I love watching her grow.

Jude has adjusted well to daycare. His teachers tell me everyday what a joy he is to be around. He learned his ABC's at 18 months! I love listening to his little voice sing songs. Nothing brightens my day like having him climb up on my chair behind me and hug me tight around the neck. He is learning to use the potty too! On Thanksgiving he even stopped in the middle of dinner to tell me had to poop! I'm amazed at how much he changes all the time yet still remains my sweet baby boy.

Bridgette is 14 now! It seems like only yesterday we sat together and snuggled while she looked at me and said "I'm in your eyes." Now she is a blossoming young lady. She went through a rough patch at the beginning of the school year and we decided together to move forward with cyber school. It has been a challenge but well worth it. She went from sliding by with mostly C's to having straight A's. She's less stressed since we eliminated a lot of the social pressure that was interfering in her being able to focus on learning. She's happier and that makes me happy.

I started college in May. I eased into it by just taking a few classes over the summer. Now at the completion of the Fall semester I can proudly report that I have straight A's. I've applied for the Honors Program and have added a second degree in Social Work in addition to the Paralegal I will be finished with this Fall. I am anxious for classes to resume after the holiday break. I am starting to explore my options for where I want to complete my BSW. I may even go on to law school after that but for now I am just taking it one day at a time.

I just applied for a great job at the courthouse working as a CYS liason. It would be a great place to start and get some valuable hands on experience. I'm hoping that there will be good news for me to start the New Year.

My one big regret this year is not taking control of my credit more aggressively. I recently found a perfect house for us but because I let that slide the house will not be a reality for us for a while longer. I've gotten copies of all my credit reports and am going to start putting things to rest in hopes that this year's hard work will reap even more benefits for my family in 2010.

One of the greatest things I have gained this year is the friends I have made in an online forum I regularly participate in. There are so many strong women who share their wisdom, their support and a shoulder to lean on when you need it and I would not be able to face the days with a smile sometimes were it not for having them in my life. Sadly, I missed out on a group get-together this December but I foresee many such gatherings in the future that I will be a part of. A toast to you wonderful ladies this New Year's Eve!

In 2009 I will have the satisfaction of seeing much of my hard work come to fruition in the coming months. There are some new projects that I will become more active with and I am excited about what the future holds.
This has been a monumental year. I spent a lot of time campaigning for President Elect Barack Obama this year and it is with great anticipation that I look forward to the day he finally steps into office. I truly believe he will work hard to bring about the changes we need to bring America back into the sun. I will be ready and willing to continue to work on his behalf in the future...a future that looks brighter knowing he is there to lead us.

2008 has been an incredible year and I foresee 2009 holding even more promise for me and my little family. I wish everyone a safe and happy New Year's Eve and many blessings to come in 2009.

Seattle is a great city. Lots of diversity, cultural offerings, great atmosphere and welcoming to crunchy mamas like myself.
However, it's just outrageous to live here. Most places are around the $1000 monthly rental mark or higher. The total cost of living just seems to be so high I wonder how other single parents manage to make it.

I'm actually an hour NE of the city and even out this way everything seems to be beyond my means. It's a real jolt to the system to look around and feel like you can't provide for your family. I'm on several online communities and Most people have 2 incomes and even then are talking about major financial difficulties. I've always felt this desire to live on the West coast but I am truly at a loss for how to be able to maintain it.

I previously lived in Pittsburgh, PA for the last 3 years. Great city. I had lots of support there from my Le Leche group and babywearing meetings. I had a nice group of friends and a lot of things within walking distance to do with the kids. I'm feeling like Pittsburgh is a much more family friendly city. I've been comparing rental costs between Seattle and Pittsburgh over the last week as well as educational opportunities for myself and my children. The more I look, the more I want to kick myself in the ass for moving.

Maybe if I find myself a nice husband with a killer income....maybe then I can pursue my dream of going to college. Otherwise I don't see how I can take care of basic needs and go to school and be a good mother to my children. DSH gave me this handout the shows how at $8/hour you can make something like $1300 per month. That is about double what I get from them. Great! I'm all for it. Then I take into consideration that a 3 bedroom apartment runs about $1200 PLUS utilities and I want to sit down and cry.

Really makes me want to pursue my dream of living off grid in a cob house that I built myself, with a composting toilet, hand pumped water and a woodburning stove. I'll just trade some labor for a goat and a couple chickens, learn how to spin yarn and knit and just totally make-over myself into Crunchy, Hippy Mama. I can homeschool my kids and barter work for whatever extras we might need.

Maybe I'll win the lottery. Maybe monkeys might fly out of my butt....