On Your Mark ...

If there has been one consistent thing through out my unexpected pregnancy, it has been how hard I've tried to maintain a peaceful and stress-free life. Knowing the odds of a 45 year old woman carrying a child to term are horrendous, Steve and I have done everything possible to lighten my load and keep me and Linden as calm as possible.

Well, things are about to get interesting. Luckily, for Linden, his birth is basically the whistle that will start the race to the end of 2011.

(1) On Your Mark ...
Linden is due the 14th of November. And as shocking as it is to all of us concerned, he has technically made it to 'full-term' - as of Sunday night.

(2) Get Set ...
I haven't seen my side of the family since mom's death, so we are planning on driving up to see them for Thanksgiving. Thank God I won't be expected to do anything, but I'll still have a new baby on a road trip.

(3) Go!
Will's 7th birthday is December 2. Especially since Linden will have just officially entered our lives, it is important I don't 'short' Will this year. So we're talking party with friends, cake, presents. Work!

(4) and Go!
Bonnet and B'ella are coming to visit and see Tori's graduation. They'll probably show up around the 11th or 12th of December. I love them to death and miss them all the time, so I am super excited they are going to make it down. However, we will have to plan a family Christmas while they are here - not that I'd miss it for the world.

(5) and Go!
Tori's graduation is the 16th of December and afterward we are throwing an informal party in my back yard. I'm happy to be able to do anything to help celebrate Tori's graduation. I'm very proud of her and feel that I've helped her very little the last four years. The party will be nothing fancy, but it still means my yard and house need to be company cleaned. While I've managed to clear most of the clutter from the house, you don't want to know what the yard looks like. Work!

(6) and Go Again!
Then there is Christmas. I can already tell you I don't feel like putting up a tree, but for Will, the effort will be made. But then there is the meal, presents, Christmas eve, cards, etc.

A minimum of six engagements/events in a six-week period may not seem overwhelming to most people, but it does to me. And there is not a single event I would miss. It just majorly bites that they all happen at the same time.

Bonnet and Tori have both offered to help prepare the house for company. And just being surrounded by so much family and love will go a long way to smoothing the bumps I encounter as this amazing year says it's good byes.