A year in review

It's a girl!

I started this blog in 2008. And this year, something clicked. I got comfortable with my own voice and sharing more stories about my life and you reciprocated by showing up, adding to the conversation and sticking around. Today's post is embedded with links, so follow your whimsy. Pretend you're eating popcorn with your feet propped up on the coffee table and watching one of those cool year ender videos on the nightly news. It adds to the effect.

In 2011...

• I visited Disney World for the first time and discovered it really is the happiest place on earth, until you stand in front of me and block my view of the parade. 
• Charleston had a not-so-snow day—a sleet day—which prompted me to pull out old photos of my grandma in a bikini and reveal the dash of crazy that makes up my DNA.
• Another photo surfaced—a screen shot of my first television news live shot—and we reflected on the things we'd tell our 22-year-old selves.
• As I completed my memoir, you rallied and helped me make an inspiration playlist. And I confessed what I really wanted all those years I climbed the ladder of TV news success. Turns out, it's what most of us want. 
• I stopped waking up at 4am to write, but that post got lots of you talking about your daily routines and how you create space for the things you love.

Dillon turned 5.

Moving on

I said goodbye to the first house my boys, husband and I shared as a family.

Then, we all gathered around the confessional and exposed our relationship with clutter.

schools out for summer

I declared summertime The Frat Party of 2011.

Eventually we bid farewell to lazy days and I sent Dillon off to kindergarten.

• We laughed when I paraded around town in my cheetah suit, and exposed Lou Mello for who he really is.
• You celebrated with me when I announced a baby girl is on the way.
• You didn't turn me in to authorities when I revealed my mom tip for staying sane: I tie my kids to the coffee table. In fact, some of you were right behind me, waiting to sign up for lasso lessons.

Overall, we spent 2011 goofing off, reflecting on what really matters and recognizing we need to just keep swimming.  Thanks to you, this little slice of cyberspace felt a lot like home.