A lot has happened the last few months. I will share it all...in the form of the Christmas letter I had hoped to write and mail to family and friends but never actually accomplished....so here goes!
Merry Christmas to all the wonderful people in my life! I hope life is treating you well and this letter (blog) finds you happy and healthy as we wrap up 2011. Here is a brief recap of the past 12 months in the Zeets house.
Brian: Well you know Brian, nothing really bothers him and he's still as laid back as ever (drives me crazy!). He's still a supervisor at Crystal, 17 years now. He's one of the den leaders for Tommy's Tiger Cub pack (maybe he's a wolf or a bear now, I have no clue...mother of the year!). The best part of the den leader gig is Brian gets to wear one of those awesome brownish-tan scout leader shirts! He looks so dorky! (wait, did I say dorky, I meant hot....yeah hot.....not.) Sorry to offend any scout guys, I just like to make fun of Brian (like all the time). His newest adventure began a few weeks ago when he started playing basketball a few mornings a week. Abby wanted to know why he was doing this. Brian said it was to get some exercise and Abby's response was, "You're already skinny." (little punk never says that to me!). Anyway, old man Brian has been feeling the pain of the early morning basketball league, but actually enjoys it and that makes me happy. (As long as he's quiet when he leaves at 5:15am to play basketball, I'm good.)
Danny: Well the Dan-Man is now 17! (I know...no way I look old enough to be his mother...thanks for mentioning that!) He's been accepted to Loras College in Dubuque and they have offered him a pretty decent scholarship. He's had a busy year. Last February he went to Washington DC on a school trip called Close-Up. It's an interactive classroom where students learn all about the government. He had a great time and was the only one from his Catholic high school to take the liberal stance on the issues (not sure where he gets his left-wing liberalism from.....I'm not at ALL political...hehe!) He was also selected as a candidate for the American Legion Hawkeye Boys State camp last summer. It was quite an honor and he's considering going back as a counselor next year. This fall he attended the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). He's a well-traveled young man! He's still pretty darn funny and a very nice kid (except to his siblings...he likes to antagonize them). I am very proud of him (so is Brian, but since I am writing this I will take all the credit!)
Danny-boy!
Abby: Miss thang is now 9 and a force to be reckoned with! She's still singing, dancing and playing piano. She was 'Molly' in our local theater production of "Annie" earlier this month. She earned rave reviews for her performance and made some awesome friends! Here's the link to the review!!
http://wcfcourier.com/lifestyles/review-wcp-s-timeless-annie-impressive-treat-for-holiday-audiences/article_2ae79c72-24eb-11e1-a75b-0019bb2963f4.html
Anyway...after being called a "noodle of light" in the review, singing Annie songs all the damn time and basically being the world's smallest diva, Danny lost it. One night after a show, Abby came home all hopped up on her new found fame. She started bitching at Danny (sorry for the cursing....it's just who I am!) and Danny started bitching back. The following is a transcript of the conversation:
Danny: "Abby...SHUT UP!" (can you feel the love?)
Abby: "You can't talk to me that way. I am a noodle of light!"
Danny: "You are not a noodle of light. You are a noodle of darkness. You're a burnt noodle!"
Abby: "MOM! Danny called me a burnt noodle."
Me: "I'm sorry...Mom's not here right now, please leave a message."
Now...I actually liked Danny's burnt noodle comment (I enjoy a snappy comeback) but told them both to knock it off. They didn't listen to me and Abby just sang louder to piss off Danny.
Abby will also be singing the National Anthem at a UNI women's basketball game in February....Danny says he's not going (Ha!)
Here's a picture of our little "Molly"....rotten orphan!
Tommy: Well Bubba is 8 and in 2nd grade. A big year as he had first reconciliation a few months ago and first communion will happen this spring. He's taking piano lessons and is also quite musical, just not so in your face about it all. He loves martial arts and just leveled up to his orange belt and earned his first stripe this week. He's in scouts (no idea what level.....did I mention that I am STILL waiting for my mother of the year award?!) But Tommy looks super cute in his little blue scout shirt! He's still very sweet and the only one who listens to me (making him my favorite....although I tell all my kids they are my favorite when the others aren't around). He takes care of the damn dog because in his words, "Abby is always doing her hair." He's found a new love of football thanks in part to Grandpa Don taking the boys to the UNI games. Actually Tommy enjoys tailgating as much as the game (he enjoys snacks....a chip off the old block!)
Here's the little martial arts champ!
Me: Well it's been a good year! I'm still a wife, mother and youth minister. I enjoy my Tuesday mornings at Panera with my friends. Survived an overnight service experience with middle schoolers, survived an overnight trip to Valley Fair with middle schoolers, survived an overnight lock-in with middle schoolers (did I mention I am getting too damn to sleep on a gym floor?!) Took 90 high school kids to NCYC. Got to see the bright lights of New York City a few weeks ago with my mom. Spent a lot of time at the theater with Abby. All while maintaining my girlish figure and sanity (shit....0 for 2 on those!) Anyway, life is good....if I could just get that damn song "Hard Knock Life" out of my head!
I hope you can take some time to relax and enjoy some time with your family this holiday season. One of my favorite quotes comes from catholic artist Steve Angrisano who says, "FAMILY....it stands for Forget About Me, I Love You." Merry Christmas to all whom I hold so dear. I am blessed to have such a loving family and some fabulously supportive friends. (Shout out in particular to Hippie...you know who you are...I adore you! Hope everyone has the chance to experience a friendship like ours!)
Peace!
Annie
