It's a New Year, Charlie Brown

I don't typically make resolutions. The New Year normally just comes with a return to school and start of a new semester. While it marks the end of my much-loved Christmas break, I usually look at the New Year with dismay.

Not this year. 2007 is my year. 2006 was full of turmoil and anger. I learned more than I ever wanted to about heartache and change and baby, it's time to move forward. Mark my words, this will be a good year.

Things about 2006 that I'm most thankful for:

1. my kids. They are the most beautiful, brilliant kids I know. No joke: they are the air I breathe.

2. my health. While I ate too much and drank a few too many cocktails this year, I stayed relatively healthy. That year-end root canal reminded me that not feeling well can taint everything. I'm thankful for a good year of health.

3. my family and friends. In times of crisis, the solid friends rise to the top. Although excruciating to learn, it's an important lesson and I appreciate the friends who have stood by me. My family goes without saying. I will forever love them for it.

4. my girlfriend. She makes me LAUGH every day. She's patient with my emotions but doesn't let me sell myself (or us) short in any regard. She challenges me to be a good mom and to do it different. My life changed when she entered.

Onto bigger and better. I'll take the good stuff into 2007 with me and leave the ugliness behind. Onward...