So what is there to blog about?

So, you'll find that this blog is not so much about me being witty, or waxing philosophic on the political matters of the day, or even being particularly interesting... the real source of my focus and passion these days is my family - so that's what will be the primary topic of this blog... like it or lump it!

So what's new...

My husband, Shaun, is now 4 months sober - really sober, for the first time in probably 30+ years - he's loving life, working the program, going to AA (and enjoying it!!!!), and I feel like I've got my best friend back ;-) It's all good! Thanks go in large part to the people at Sierra Tucson, who really started him on his recovery journey back in November. Not to minimize the help he has gotten from his counselor, psychiatrist and a variety of other amazing people, but at Sierra Tucson, things finally seemed to click into place for him. HURRAH!

Oshun, my 12 year old stepdaughter, is an amazing human being - talented, beautiful, funny, smart - and very very grounded (collective sigh of relief from all 4 of her parents/stepparents...) - I'm so enjoying watching her grow up and anticipating the wonderful woman she is about to become.

Xander - 22 months next week and the love of my life - charming, cute beyond words, incredibly intelligent, he makes me smile and warms my heart 24/7. He has a passion (currently) for sharks (Bruce from "Finding Nemo" is his favorite), dinosaurs (and yes, he can identify/name several - Deinonychus... Stegosaurus... Tyrannosaurus... Pterodactyl...Oviraptor... Gallimimus...Iguanodon...Tricerotops.... and no I'm not kidding...), stickers, Thomas the Tank Engine (and again, he knows, can identify/name just about all of the trucks/trains in the Thomas universe... current favs are Diesel ("arrrgggh, grumpy Diesel!") and Duncan ("rubbish!" said with a Scottish accent, again, no joke).

His memory is incredible - recites lines from books/stories/movies all the time "Cindy Lou-Who says 'Santy-Claus, why? Why are you taking our Christmas tree, why?" (How the Grinch Stole Christmas is another current fav...), "the moon called the dew so the grass seemed to weep" (from the newest fav book "When I Took the Moon for a Walk"). Knows all of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... and Laurie Berkner songs ("running down the hill, I, I , I...")

He astounds us daily with what he remembers and retains (and can say!!!! Not even two and hundreds of words and sentences!!!) "Mommy play with trains?" "Mommy talking to Daddy" "Star in my hand" (it was a Playdough star...), "watch Thomas on computer?"...

Other areas of focus for our little brainiac these days are space/stars/planets - is completely fascinated by the moon and can name all the planets ("Earth, where we live...") thanks to Baby Gallileo ('Gallileo Gallilei") and a great book he has (that's written for kids about 5+ years older than he is...), anything on wheels... trains, trucks, buses, etc. ("goes beerry fast!"), fireworks, and RUNNING!!! "Mommy run? Mommy run? Mommy run? Mommy run beery fast!! (yeah, right!).

sigh... ok current gush over. More on my wonderful family later!