Merry New Year!

I can't believe its 2008! I know everyone says that but to emphasize...I cannot BELIEVE it is 2008. So much has happened in the past few years, degrees, a house, marriage, children, jobs...the sheer number of life changing events is just amazing. It is so good to be home from our trip to Florida but two weeks with family has really made me and Steve realize how great it is to be near family, especially now that we have kids. While we both like Baltimore there really isn't anything that is gluing us to the area anymore now that I have finished school here. The want for family nearby mixed with the fact that we could afford to live in a much nicer home in a safer neighborhood has really lit a fire under this girl’s ass! (Plus it’s just heartbreaking to hear Lily asking where her cousin, "Steppy" went). I am usually terrible with resolutions but this one I am determined to keep, especially because it is a family resolution and not just mine. I really need to clear out the clutter in the house; we own so many things that go unused that could be loved by other families. What purpose do they serve living in our basement (or under the couch, or on the floor of Lily's room, or shoved in our only closet, or in the hallway upstairs...)? The general goal of all the downsizing being to make moving easier, which we have also sworn to do by this time 2010. We were in Florida for New Years, so I made this resolution before walking back into my house yesterday and fully realizing what an amazing undertaking getting my pack rat house in order is going to be but I am up to the challenge!