We have all had a long year with lots of personal growth. It's bizarre to look back and realize how much has happened in just one year. Bob survived a major layoff at the plant, but was given many new responsibilities and has had to learn to adjust to the new stresses in a healthy way. Gina has gone through both growth and cutbacks in her science instructor job, not to mention a personal journey in motherhood. And Rebecca struggled with behavior, social and speech problems which eventually resulted in being diagnosed with a disorder on the autism spectrum called PDD (Pervasive Developmental Delay), and after a lot more effort, resulted in a new placement in a special education pre-kindergarten.

The holidays are always a time for reflection. The season of advent inspires us to be better as the year's end gives us a chance to assess what we have done. What I reflect on most this year is motherhood. Our struggle with Rebecca's PDD has been a real journey. So has watching my sister Amy become a mother.

Amy (and Wes) gave birth to a precious angel on Sept 3rd. They named her Molly B. She is divine. Finally, a redhead for the next generation of Framents! She is very mild mannered, due in part to Amy and Wes's attentive parenting. I am in awe when I listen to Amy talk about her or watch them as a family. I am so glad I got to meet her in Nov. at Julie's wedding.

Hearing about Molly makes me think back to when Rebecca was younger. And I realize how far she has come. It is easy to get discouraged when I watch her around other kids her age and see how far behind she is. And I often get frustrated and disappointed at the extra effort it takes to do tasks that other moms do with ease.

Her new placement has been a huge success. Seemingly small adjustments to the schedule and physical environment really add up. Her teachers are so talented at helping her learn behaviors and skills. This month, our Christmas came early when she was awarded Student of the Month for her class (10 students). In the beginning of this year, I couldn't have imagined that was possible.

But she is our greatest blessing. She's very good at teaching me to let go of the things I cannot control. Occasionally, I see her struggling so hard to behave and I understand she is not in full control of her actions. And I am awestruck at how far she has come and how wonderful she is.

Then she gives us one of her intense hugs, and suddenly everything in life is okay...