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My three favorite memories from this year are starting a new home-based business, buying a new home, and probably the one that will stay with me the longest - my oldest daughter starting kindergarten. 

When I look at these memories, they are all inter-related.  I started a home-based business so that I can fulfill my goal of spending more time with my children and less time working, not giving up executive pay.  I saved for over a year so that we would have the down payment for this house and the house was chosen based on the school district.  We are zoned for one of the only magne elementary schools in the county.  It is a very good school and my daughter is very happy, having started kindergarten in August.  It was a pretty rough start because she was learning new friends, a new neighborhood, a new bedroom, along with sharing with her new sister. 

Now, there is nothing that would keep her away.  She loves her teacher, her classmates, her home, her big backyard, her frends and of course - her baby sister.  Sometimes I have to wonder who is the mother in this house.  I recognize that a big part of her maternal instinct comes from losing her godmother and my baby cousin in March.  She was the baby sister that I never had.  I have three cousins and we are all only children.  As the oldest, I was not prepared for either of them to precede me.

As I look back, I recognize that it was then that I decided to move out of our old home.  There were just too many memories, for both of us.  Now, I can focus on our good times, her smile, her quest for knowledge, and her love of children - her legacy.  SO, as 2007 comes to a close, it certainly will not be one of the happiest years in my life.  However, I have learned more this year that I have in my life and it has caused a change in me that is more profound than anyone could imagine.  This change has caused me a grow up and face some difficult challenges but God knows that it also created a newness in me.

Happy New Year to all!