Four days till Christmas and counting.

It's ironic. It's our first Christmas without my dad, but somehow I'm really looking forward. I seem to be taking time to stop and smell the poinsettas and I'm enjoying singing and dancing Christmas songs with L. He's older now and he really gets a kick out of all the lights and displays. I love seeing him get excited over the new snowman decoration, or the new set of lights we put on a bush, or the Christmas tree when the lights turn on, or the nativity set that's sitting on our table. It's wonderful! And I feel like this year, rough as it was, is coming to an end and the promises of new beginnings is upon us. Like a breath of fresh air.

L news - he's talking and talking and talking. He says ba (ball), apa (up?), caca (which I actually think means Lukas, his name), aca (not sure on this one). He said cheese once (I was going to take a pic and said, "L, say cheese" to which he promptly replied, "cheese!"). He says wow, uh-oh, and a few others after we say them, so he's really into the mimicking stage. And there's his usual tete, aua, papo, papa/dada, mama, babe, babi. His second molar started breaking through about a week and a half ago. He's climbing on EVERYTHING and anything he can get his legs onto. It's funny, cute, and nervewrecking. He's so curious and mimics everything we do and say

As for me, I was offered a teaching position starting Jan 5. It's a little farther from home than my current job, but I would have summers off, spring break, and winter break, among other regular holidays. I wouldn't have to work the 8-4:30 hours and it would allow me more flexibility with L. Plus, I love teaching! I get to teach (and only teach - no admin work!) prep and comp classes. :) fun! I am really looking forward to this new (ad)venture in my life, but I have to say I'm also very sad to have left my family at my current college. I have been there for seven years, and they have seen me get married, get my degree, and have a baby. They are wonderful, and I'm going to miss them terribly. :( But they've all been so supportive of me and they've encouraged me and had faith in me. This past Friday was a sad day because it was my last day at Dade.

Looking forward though, we are getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner at our home, and then maybe heading to my aunt's house for a little while, and then Christmas Day we're heading out to Disney!!! Nana and abuelita are going with us, so it will be a wonderful trip! I can't wait! Hopefully, no one will be sick and the trip will go smoothly, unlike mommy's bday trip to Disney. lol.