Dear Friends Far and Wide,
Can you believe another year has flown by? It feels like we’re speeding up towards the inevitable, doesn’t it? Anyway, here’s a snapshot of life at our home over the past year, squeezed in between laundry loads and the latest binge-worthy series.
Honestly, 2023 had its ups and downs. Sure, we have food on the table and a roof over our heads—typical survival stuff—but it’s been a mixed bag.
The Kids
The kids didn’t have any major highlights. Max’s acne has taken a turn for the worse—definitely not my genes at play here! Sure, I still battle the occasional pimple, but he’s been on a wild ride with that. After a lot of coaxing, he finally snagged a job, so that’s a small victory, right?
Ella is no longer in the gifted program; we pulled her out when it became clear she wasn’t thriving. But hey, she still plays soccer. Exciting stuff!
The twins, Mia and Zoe, are growing up fast! Mia has officially entered the stage of developing body odor (yikes!), and Zoe’s emotional rollercoaster is quite the show. Can’t wait for those teenage years to hit when I’m also navigating menopause—fun times ahead!
Lily is still a little charmer, although she’s starting to show signs of being a bit of a diva. And then there’s Jake, who continues to navigate life with Down syndrome. We’re contemplating trying hypnosis next—apparently it can do wonders, or so I read in a gossip magazine. And let’s not even start on the baby; Sophie can be exhausting!
Health and Finances
Health-wise, we fared well this year, aside from a brief bout of stomach issues (pun intended!) and a lice scare that we think we’ve handled.
We didn’t manage to squeeze in a vacation—parenting multiple children doesn’t exactly lend itself to travel. Plus, with Michael losing his job, we’ve been more focused on making ends meet. He’s diving into freelancing, so fingers crossed!
Speaking of finances, I’m trying to save up for some much-needed bladder repair surgery because, let’s be real, this leaking issue is getting old! A boob job has been on my wish list forever, but I’m still weighing my options—maybe I could just dip into the kids’ nonexistent college funds. Just kidding! Who am I fooling?
Home Life
As for our house, it’s seen better days. I wouldn’t say we’re living in squalor, but it sure could use some TLC. And let’s just say one of us has formed a close relationship with antidepressants, while the other has found solace in a bottle—I’ll let you guess who’s who!
Anyway, happy holidays! Here’s to another year of chaos and questionable choices.
Best,
Lisa
And if you’re interested in home insemination resources, check out this guide. For more on the topic, this site offers great insights, too. For those exploring pregnancy options, Progyny is an excellent resource.
Summary:
This holiday newsletter offers a refreshingly honest glimpse into a chaotic family life, touching on the ups and downs of parenting, health challenges, and financial struggles. Instead of sugar-coating the reality, it embraces the messiness of life while sharing a few laughs along the way.