The Child has an Ah Ha moment.

A recent conversation with Anna went like this:

Anna: Mom, did you notice that we get along better over the phone than in person?

Me: Yes. Why do you think that is?

Anna: Because I'm nicer.

Me: I agree. So, what do you need to do so we get along better in person?

Anna: Be nicer. 

I'm happy mom when she figures these things out. 

Resolutions

As a rule, I don't make New Year's Resolutions. If a goal is good on New Year's Day, it's good any time throughout the year. So, last week, at a Relief Society get together, I announced two goals or resolutions I've made for this year. The first is to NOT get married this year. This one shouldn't be difficult to achieve. The second is to go out on dates with at least a dozen different guys. I think it's safe to say that I've never gone out on dates with even close to a dozen different guys in one year before. This is part of the reason I want to achieve this goal. I want to get to know several guys and just have some good clean fun. I'm hoping, too, to show Anna that this is the better way to date, especially in high school - better late than never for me, right? :)

Brief Update

Rey and I did have a beautiful wedding. Sadly, the remainder of the year did not go as expected. The wedding did not result in a marriage and I expect an annulment to be finalized any day. 

In November, I lost my job at the college earlier than expected, though through no fault of my own. I was blessed to obtain another job, and one that I am enjoying more, after only a month. 

Anna found these and the many other changes that occurred very challenging and it has become evident that she needs the intense therapy of a residential program for a while. It's not been an easy decision for me to reach, but I'm grateful to know she'll be getting the help she needs and hopeful that she'll be ready to surround herself with more positive people when she comes home.

Through it all, I've been blessed with the love and support of friends and family near and far.