New Years Resolutions...

I always have the same... Workout more, save more, write more. This year started off pretty rough, but as time went on everything changed. I began to change.

What I thought was the end, was only the beginning of something much more. That's what this year has been, the year of more. More happiness, more love, more time, more hope, more faith, more family, more every thing that's good and right.

Usually people can't wait for the new year, hoping this year will be better than the last... But 2012 was very good to me, I am so lucky and grateful for this life.

I look forward to kissing my sweetie at midnight, and enjoying another year of more. Cheers. XoXo

Grateful

Last night was my Dads family Christmas Party... As I walked inside, I was overwhelmed with one feeling, gratefulness. Another year where we all got to gather together around the Christmas tree, have a great night of laughter, food and of course some serious RLC. Joking about what time did we think my Dad & Step mom (who are always late) would get there? Which ended up being only 20 minutes late. When I saw my sister walk in I just ran to her, she had all these gifts in her hand and I didn't even let her put them down first. We hugged for a few minutes and I just kept kissing her head... How lucky we are to live this life.

My boyfriend and I sat down on the couch as everyone began to tell stories about their day, their jobs, etc... And I caught myself just hugging him and kissing his cheek over and over, eventually he looked over at me and asked if I was alright? Lol I'm more than alright, I'm just so happy you're here. That our family got to laugh and smile last night while there are so many families are grieving this holiday season for what they've lost. The time will come when politics and laws need to be fought over, but this weekend was a time to grieve, to hold your loved ones close and to be grateful for the life you have, for those around you.

I like to think that I don't take this life for granted, that I tell the people I love that I love them, that I try to be a giving person who helps others, that I always remember there is someone who has it far worse than I could ever imagine. But when things like this happen, you just feel like you don't appreciate it enough... Nothing like a tragedy to remind us all that we need to make every day count. 

My thoughts and prayers are with those families and the Newtown community tonight... No one should ever go through what you've had to endure. I know the news is hard to watch, but it is important to know their stories, and to honor their memories. If you're so inclined to help out, then reach out to organizations who are trying to provide support and comfort in this time of need. Or just pay it forward for this life you have, pay for a strangers coffee, hold the door for someone, say thank you, and most importantly... Say I love you.

Unbelievable

Today as most of you already know, a mass shooting happened at an elementary school in Connecticut... And as of now the loss is 18 children, and 9 adults. My heart aches for those families, and especially for the parents, sending your children off to school so that they can do bigger and better things with their lives. And in one moment a very sick and twisted person has flipped your entire life upside down. I am so incredibly sorry.

My 14 year old sister tells me all the time I'm too paranoid, that I'm too protective... I don't want her at the mall by herself, at a concert, jogging around the block. She laughs at my fears and tells me to "relax" but she is the love of my life and I can't imagine what would happen if I lost her... This overwhelming feeling that no matter what you do, no matter how careful you are, anyone at anytime could just decide to take yours or the lives of someone you love... It's unbelievable. This fear, how do you handle the fear?

You know in California I used to worry that someone would "dognap" my Husky lol, I was told it happened a lot out there and it really made me anxious... Cut to both my dogs having real time GPS locaters on them that I can track via my smart phone. Yes, I will most likely be the parent who puts a "leash" on my child in public. And although my dogs are my world I can't imagine the fear that a parent must feel for their life's blood, the anxiety. It makes me terrified for the generations to come, wishing we could put our loved ones and children in a bubble to protect them from all the evil in the world, when we know we cant. Days like today remind you to be grateful, to not take a single day for granted, to tell the people you love, that you love them every day.

I know that tomorrow life will go on and eventually begin again... People say that the only way to stop the fear is by living. I know that if I never flew on a plane again, went to a movie theater, a shopping mall, I'd be letting them win. You find out who you are in times like these, you remember what matters most in your life and what doesn't. Please hug your children tonight, your family & your loved ones. We are very lucky to be safe in our own homes tonight, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this despicable act of violence.




"...There's one thing we can never be prepared for, and that's the fear. How do we handle the fear? My son Lucas once asked me if the 'bad guys' were going to blow us up. How do you answer that? How do you explain terrorism to your kid? How do you explain that at any time, any place, someone could just decide to take us all out? And that's why terrorism works, because we can't explain it, we can't predict it, it can happen anytime, anywhere, by anyone. So, all we can do is trust that law enforcement has our backs, and then we let it go. Because the only way to stop the fear is by living. Just living, being with your family, your friends, your community. Look, there is nothing we can do about it - except to seize the day. We live while we can, laugh while we can, love while we can. And that, my friends, is how we beat terrorism..." Pamela (Army Wives)