It's a new year, expect big things!

The old year went out with an unexpectedly alcoholic bang. I might have blown an opportunity for an amazing freelance positioned by hitting send on an application I had filled out while buzzed. I thought it was witty and brilliant.  I even had the good sense to have my husband read it before I submitted, but as he'd been drinking far longer than I, that probably wasn't the superb choice I thought it to be. Ah. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say. I refuse to dwell on that mistake right now, who knows, maybe my wit wasn't too over the top. Maybe they'll applaud my grammar and spelling skills while inebriated. Maybe they'll be impressed by my ability to bash the Internet, the very medium of the job offer. Yikes. I'll just go back to not dwelling on it. 

2014 brings some wonderful opportunities for me and my family. 

We are in contract negotiations for me to be a surrogate for a wonderful family who cannot have children. If all goes well, I might be up for doing it again in a year or so. I've had two easy and fun pregnancies, so I'm really looking forward to the little belly full of life. 

I recently met an awesome editor (the proper use of the word awesome, in this case, his expertise and knowledge instill awe and wonder in my both my brain and heart) who has agreed to work with me on my new manuscript. I didn't cry at his criticisms/changes/suggestions, which is a first for me. The editing he did on the first few pages has made a huge difference. I can't wait until it's done. 

I am hoping to attend WyrdCon this year in LA.  Jim Butcher, one of my favorite authors and creator of Codex Alera and Dresden Files (two of my favorite series of all time), will be leading an intensive 6 hour writing workshop. The opportunity to learn from such a talented and successful author is making me giggle a little bit just writing this. 

Plus, it's entirely possible that my family will also be able to come to the convention and then we'll head to the dreaded DL or maybe Knottsberry Farm. I promised Elee that she would get to go to a theme park if she maintained excellent behavior for her entire Kindergarten year. So far, she's only had one day where she didn't achieve a purple star (the highest level meaning that not only she did her work and behaved all day, but also demonstrated good choices and going above and beyond). That day, she got a green, which is still doing all her work and behaving well, so we let that slip provided she doesn't get too many of them. 

Gabez enters the year having been working with a speech therapist after his ear surgery. At two, he has a very limited vocabulary even after four months of therapy. It seems like he's learning more words, or trying to say them with prompting every day, which gives me hope. He's even started using his words voluntarily once in a great while. The first time he said momma by himself without prompting I almost cried. It is wonderful to hear it in his tiny voice. 

So, As I sit here longing to write the next chapter in my manuscript, watching my kids fascinated by cookie cutters, I know that I'm really off to do dishes. Blah. Such a glamorous life I lead. 

Next post coming tomorrow. I swear. 

Bonus pic of Izzie, our 7 month old Newfoundland puppy.