so, tonight.

tonight is the last night before things get going.
the girls have their doors closed. there is wrapping and laughing and a little bit of fighting going on.
one girl is reading (being read to) charlie and the chocolate factory, and is going to sleep with ease, glad to not have a party tonight. it was a hard weekend for that little one.
this girl (oh! i am so no longer a girl, but don't we always sort of think of ourselves that way?) is considering staying up way late to get just everything done. i don't want anything hanging over my head while the rest of the family is ready to celebrate and be together.

we have much family and many friends who will be around us this next week. and i'm sure i will stop in here and post some pictures, wish everyone well.

but right now i want to say this:

you are all so wonderful. the comments i get, the support, the encouragement i garner from you taking the time to let me know you're listening, means so much to me.

i'm awful about replying. and i'm sorry. as i've said, if i don't have your e-mail right there to reply to, it's hard to go find it. and frankly, the time is more than i can handle. i read every.single.comment and it often makes my day a better one.
i'd love to know more of you...hear who is listening and what you like listening to. and maybe if i can do one thing better in the new year it will be to respond more to comments.

but for now, i just wanted to say thank you, and sorry, and please, please know that i am sitting here at my desk, with a cup of tea, a glass of wine, a girl on my lap or a girl waiting upstairs for me, and when i get kind words from any one of you, i feel so good about what i'm doing, who i am, and who i want to be.

best of all wishes.
xo,
tt