A Look Forward; A Look Back

Goodbye 2007. Happy 2008! At the juncture between these two years I want to review the year that has just ended and preview the one that has just begun.

Although 2007 was NOT the year I received my Libby Doodle Doo, many important milestones/achievements did occur. I want to pause and remember those. After all, 2007 was the year in which:

***Little Zo Peep learned how to read and how to organize her thoughts and compose it into words.

***She first danced on a stage in front of an audience (5 times) and showed a natural ability to connect with the audience and sparkle.

***Zo Peep began to learn to speak Mandarin.

***She lost her first tooth.

***In spite of encouragement from Mama Hen, Zo Peep ended her violin lessons. Later in the year, she seemed to display a new interest in music with a shiny pink electric guitar.

***Mama Hen visited Spain for the first time in her life.

***Mama Hen was approached by 2 garden writers – one from a local paper and one from Better Homes and Gardens – who both wanted to write a story about her gardens. She was very flattered, but turned down both offers. However,

***The Hen House was filmed for the HGTV show “What You Get For The Money.” An airing date has not yet been confirmed.

***Mama Hen got involved in some exciting work projects that were innovative, challenging and fun.

***She volunteered to work with an Asian Film Festival – her first attempt to do volunteer work again since becoming a single mom. She learned from the experience and now know not to stretch herself too thinly when accepting volunteer responsibilities.

***But Mama Hen was able to help out 2 friends -- one who was opening a new business and one who was applying for a Grant. These volunteer projects were do-able and satisfying.


. . .BUT MOST important of all:

***On March 2nd, a beautiful baby was born somewhere in the Jiangxi province of China. This baby was destined to become Libby Doodle Doo.

***In November, Mama Hen and Little Zo Peep looked into the photographs of this little baby girl for the first time and took her into their hearts and into their souls forevermore.


The big event for 2008 will be meeting Libby Doodle Doo, bringing her home and incorporating her into our family.

Any year that contains such a monumental milestone will be memorable, but I suspect that other amazing, unpredictable, and wonderful events will also occur for each of us separately and for our family collectively.

How exciting!

I can’t wait to savor every morsel of this year.