We were in the thick of it this time last year. I can say that without even going back to read my blog from November 19th 2023. The first few weeks feel like the world’s craziest sleepover, then you realize it’s not going anywhere, you’re in this sleepover forever. That’s not a dreaded thing, not a bad thing, it’s a little daunting, but only because of the hugeness. If you saw a pile of gold or a pile of ice cream the size of a mountain, you’d likely be a bit daunted.  

It feels like Roby joined us last week,
it feels like Roby’s always been here. 

She’s changing all the time. Growing and learning, making silly noises, throwing fits, learning that she enjoys being thrown herself. She’s a real celebrity at church, and she loves her relatives. That’s what I wrote about this time last year, relatives. 

In some ways I am deeply tempted to move some place far off where land might be cheaper, where land might be got that’s exactly what I want it to be. Living out here there are concessions regarding my property because there are loads of people around here and like ten of them are people I love and want to see more than once or twice a year. 

It’s worth it,
but I sorta wish we could all uproot and move to...I don’t know, Georgia, or maybe Wyoming. Grass, greener &c. 

Roby’s got to grow up with family near enough for a car ride, she’s got to do Christmases with grandparents and aunts and uncles, even if she’s got loads fewer of the latter two than I did growing up. It’s alright, it’s worth it. We had the holidays in a blur last year. I can’t really say I remember them, but I think I’ll remember them this year. 

And next year?
Roby will be talking next year, and she’s going to like Christmas in a way I don’t think I ever got to. Not that I didn’t love Christmas, because I did, it was probably the very best part of my childhood, it’s Christmas for goodness sake. But going to church? A church where the old ladies are like grandparents themselves? Where everybody knows and loves you? Not just a place to half-fall asleep while you wonder how these people could possibly be so stupid?

That’ll be a nice thing.