I spent half the year growing in strange new ways.
And the next half nurturing a tiny, beloved new creation.
I loved being pregnant, and as for motherhood . . . Motherhood surpasses anything I could have imagined. I keep wanting to try to capture it in words, but so far I haven't attempted it. Maybe I'm afraid that I won't be able to make the words line up in the right formations to convey what I'm feeling. The magnitude of it. I'll just want to use a lot of superlatives and say, "It's so amazing," and that just won't cut it. I am going to try, though. Some time, but not today.As for marriage, it just gets better and better.
How cool to discover there are still whole untapped new ways to love somebody!
(Mwah!)In all, it was a year of bearing fruit. The seeds that had been planted in the previous year flowered and fruited. Clementine was one fruit (and appropriately named!), and Lips Touch and Silksinger were the others. My books, my beautiful beautiful books! Thank you, Jim, for the "beautiful" part! Thank you Putnam and Arthur A. Levine Books for putting them in the world.
It's been incredibly gratifying to see Lips Touch getting attention! It started with the thrill of the YA Editors Buzz Panel at Book Expo in late spring, and peaked with the wild surprise phone call from the National Book Foundation in fall. Two trips to New York this year, both completely unanticipated! To top it all off, Lips Touch made the "Best Books of the Year" lists for both Publisher's Weekly and NPR!
It has been a phenomenal year during which I have really felt like a writer, which is what I have always wanted to be.So much goodness and excitement. The support of an amazing family; great friends, both here and abroad; new friendships blossoming; a relaxing beach retreat; a lot of work on the house, and more. Thank you, thank you, 2009!
The one sorrowful note was the loss of our darling Leroy.
May he be waiting for us at the riverbank in the Moonlit Gardens.xo
28 comments:
Lovely post. That 5 month pic of Clementine is amazing.She is just so precious. I know just what you mean about motherhood... it is impossible to describe. It is the best thing that ever happened to me. Thanks for sharing.
You've had a truly blessed year. Most of the people I've heard talking about the past year have said it was hell on them. When I looked back over it, I realized that for me it was a huge drain of energy. Nothing tragic happened, but there were so many little losses and challenging projects that I was glad to see it go. Congratulations on all your blessings. May we all have a happy and healthy 2010.
Countless "Mwah!"s right back atcha!
xo
Husbles
Fantastic year for you! It has been a joy to watch:) I still think about Lips Touch all the time; it just sticks with you!
Oh, what a wonderful year. I can't wait until you search out the words for what motherhood is...
Beautiful year for you! Hope this one's just as wonderful.
Who is the photographer of that five month old picture of Miss Clementine Pie? The photographer deserves ten hundred billion dollars for it!
And this was one of the most inspiring years I've ever seen anyone ever have and you created it all with a ton of hard work, perseverance, and heart. You should be so stinky proud of yourself Fatty!
I was listening to O Magnum Mysterium as I read this post. What gorgeous music to enjoy as I read of your uplifting and oh so glorious year. Many blessings in 2010, Laine.
Annie
And it has been grand to follow it here on your blog. You are so very honest and generous with stories and pictures.
What an amazing collection of photos.
May 2010 be just as filled with joy and change and accolades! *raises glass of wine*
Just discovered your blog. Yowza! It exudes your positive energy. What a year for you and hubby! Congratulations on so many counts. Your baby is beyond adorable. And I was very sorry to read of your dear dog's passing.
I know I speak for all of your fans (and Jim's! And Clementine's!) when I say, "I can't wait to see what the new year has in store for you."
xo
Lisa
Indeed. I've loved reading your blog and celebrating this year with you. May the next year be all that you hope and dream of. You're a gift, Laini.
Oh, I forgot to tell you that I think LIPS TOUCH was the best folktale/fantasy of the decade!
You are the first person who has had a kind word to say for 2009. Good for you! That five months picture of Clementine is so gorgeous! Totally agree about motherhood. I feel like my life was like Dorothy's in Kansas and when I had my Daisy I went to Oz. When I was in the black and white scenes I had no idea of what was missing. And the relationship only gets better and better I found. Motherhood is such a blessing.
Happy New Year to you xx
What an amazing, amazing year for you. One of those you'll look back on and smile. LIfe really is kind of nice.
I agree with you about 2009. Probably because, like you, I had my sweet little baby boy this year. I hope you do try to write about motherhood, and I'm sure I'd probably bawl like a baby if I read it. Congratulations on a great year. Hope 2010 will be as wonderful. And I'm sure it will be with your wonderful little girl. I know I look forward to it!
I'm so happy for your happiness and hope 2010 is just as blessed. Yay for both our sweet 5 month olds!
I just finished Lips Touch and Laini, you truly are the master of imagery and metaphor. Thank you for that treasure of a book!
What a lovely post, and great pictures too. What a busy and exciting year you and your family have had. Sounds like you're in for another equally fun one!
-Sequoia
May 2010 be even better. :)
Clementine at 5 months looks like you!
What a beautiful post!
Happy New Year!! So many wonderful things to happen in just one year! Best wishes for 2010!
Thank you for letting me hold your darling daughter last night. Oh, and of course it was great to see you too. :)
May 2010 bring many more wonderful things your way!!
I love this post. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us.
Laini, this post makes me happy. I can feel your spirit in it.
:) ox
I stumbled across your journal by chance & it's so inspiring to read.
You've encompassed so much of what I hope to achieve and bring into my life this year.
So, thank you for the creative motivation.
And your baby girl is absoutely gorgeous :)
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