Remember when you were 13 and you ran outside at midnight on New Year’s Eve with 7 of your closest friends and shouted, “Happy New Year!”?

Xay will.

Do you remember running outside barefoot in the snow when you were newly 17 on New Year’s Eve?

Yanni and Laura will.

How about toasting the New Year with sparkling grape juice and cider? We’ll all remember that. Along with watching the painful exchange between a nearly toothless Dick Clark and the most fabulously dressed Ryan Seacrest.

I’ll also remember how much I love the sound of a house filled with children–especially when ours have friends over. How the sound of a group of new deep voices discuss the efficacy of wet noodles. Or giggling girls talking about dancing and what killed Spiderman’s former best friend.

I wish I could hear more giggling girls playing barbie and dress-up, and little boys playing basketball. . .

Welcome, 2009! Bring it on!