It's been rough around here lately...

Really. I can make you a list. Lots of stress.

Currently, I'm waiting for a crew to come and remove the ice dams from my house. This is the first year I've had any kind of issues. Water continues to drip into my bedroom. Spending extra hundreds or thousands this week is not my idea of a happy holiday.

We've run into some race issues. I KNOW race continues to be an issue in our society. I did the reading, classes, and countless discussions. It still stinks. I've been walking around in my white priviledge for 43 years. I'm having a hard time trying to keep my emotions out of it. It's about my daughter and I. I want to protect her from all of it, but know I can't and shouldn't. I just need to make sure she's prepared for it and she has the self esteem and know she's loved. I'm so grateful for all of the support we have in families that are walking the same walk as we are. What would I do without you?

Ok, so on to happier things. Birhane has been sick this week, but excited to play with every last thing she has received (so far!) for gifts. At my parents' house, we traditionally open up our stockings before any other gifts. She would have been completely content with the Dora stickers and popcorn. Really! I have been trying to keep celebrations about the celebration and not the gifts. So far, that's been successful, but a little overwhelming for her, I think. The success might just be due to her age, but time will tell all...