He turned 13 on Christmas day.

I'm still gnawing on that fact so I won't go into it right now. I'm just surprised, I think. And surprised at being surprised, really. I mean, he was 12 so of course he turned 13. Seems logical but I'm still not understanding how it happened.

I'm accepting my 32nd birthday tomorrow much easier than his 13th. He's already counting days to his 14th. Oy..

As I may have mentioned, it's been a tremendous holiday. We had 14 people for dinner on Christmas eve, then Christmas day we were at my best friend's home where the head count got fuzzy after about 26. The free flowing wine did not help clarify the counting process.

But a good time was had by all.

I think.

Bella has been staying with us for a little over three weeks now. I've loved having her with us (someday I'll have to explain how my mother-in-law is truly one of my best friends) and I hope she's found some comfort in spending her time with us.

There have been some tears shed but it's been an overall happy season. We miss Yury and there are moments when I've been startled by the fact that he's not here.

We're doing good, though.

I think he'd be happy knowing that.


more later.

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