2013 Will Be My Year!!

Today YOU are YOU that is truer than true.

 

 

 



First of all let me say that I LOVE Dr. Seuss. For those of you that have never read his stories or quotes you are missing out because he was one wise man. Now onto my post for today.........

 

I drive to work one hour each way every day. Not to mention all of the traveling I do from office to office within a day most of the time. The long drive can get on my nerves especially in Lexington traffic. However, I find I do my best thinking and mind cleansing in my car, by myself, listening to my music.

 

I am sure most of you have figured out by now that I am a deep thinker. However, it is not often that my daydreaming and deep thoughts suddenly all come together and make sense and make me feel so much better. Like all of the sudden if you were looking at me you would see a little light bulb light up beside my head like in the cartoons. Well that happened this morning.

 

I returned to work today January 2nd after 5 days off. I did not get a thing accomplished that I had planned over my little vacation, but rather had more quality time with my family of which trumps everything. The house, closets, laundry, etc. can wait and if there is one thing I have learned in my 36 years is that the "mess" is not going anywhere. Naturally I did not look forward to returning to work having to give up lounging in my pj's all day, sleeping in late, no makeup, you know all the good stuff that comes with vacations. But it was time to return. As I was driving to work I was going over many things in my busy mind. I have had a lot on my mind lately about a certain situation that just seems to keep getting worse and worse. I am a blunt person. I am sure I can come across too blunt at times. At the same time I am the type of person that does not like to hurt any ones feelings. I do not like for people to be mad at me and if I have done something to you that would hurt your feelings I want to know so that hopefully I can right the wrong. There are a handful of people that have hurt me deeply in one way or another and I have no space for them or the bad feelings I get from them in my life. I forgive them, as God would want me to, but I don't forget the grief they have caused me. I don't let my guard down. I am the type of person that will take and take and forgive and forgive and eventually enough is enough. Unfortunately this situation is one of those types of situations.

 

 

 

I had really put everything in the back of my mind and decided that I needed to just wash my hands of it all and move on. Unfortunately that is not the same of the other side which once again made all of those bad feelings come back and brought forth the "me" that I do not like to be. So this morning I am driving and the beautiful sun was shining in which felt nice. All of a sudden it came to me........I AM WHO I AM!!! Why am I wasting my energy that can be given to so much more and wasting it on a petty ridiculous situation? I cannot change what someone thinks of me, nor can I make someone like me or agree with me. God made us all different and unique in our own way. As long as I have a good feeling in my heart of my values and beliefs than why should I change for anyone? Why should I allow someone to take up so much of my time for nothing? I tell my children all the time to make their own paths. Be their own person. If people choose to like them and want to be their friend and be a part of their life than great! But if they choose not to be that is OK too. I do not want them to change their morals, values, and beliefs for anyone. As long as they know they are good people in their heart and are good with God than they are where they need to be in life.

 

If I can preach this to them then why can't I do the same myself? I am 36 for crying out loud. Why should I care if someone likes me or not? I do not mean for this to sound cold. Quite the opposite. I just think that as human beings we crave acceptance. From the time we are born we want to fit in. We want to be loved, but the harsh truth is we will not always fit in and not everyone will love us or even like us no matter what we do. And you know what, that is OK!! The only sad part to that is THEY are missing out on a pretty good person and friend. Be who you are, stand up for what you believe in, walk tall, remain humble, always remember and stay true to your roots, be kind, smile, laugh, LAUGH OFTEN, and enjoy life my friends. It's the only one we get, better not take advantage of it!

 

June

 

 

5,4,3,2,1 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

 

Happy New Year everyone!! We have made it to see another year. We survived December 21st!! A lot of people would consider the number 13 unlucky but for me it is generally a lucky number and I hope the year 2013 brings a lot of good luck!

New Year's 2012 @ Dollywood

 

The beginning of a new year and end to another is always bitter sweet for me. I am sad that yet another year has come and gone and amazed at how fast time flies by. At the same time happy with the feeling of a fresh start hoping that the new year will be better than the last.

 

2012 was a very good year for me and my family. We redecorated our house, purchased rental property, joined a new church, I started a new job as well as my husband, Parker started middle school, Alli started cheering on a cheer team, Mason (the dog) has calmed down.......well I will stop there because I was getting a little carried away. Mason is still crazy as ever but the rest is true. All in all 2012 has been a year of exciting first and brought a long needed deep cleansing breath. It always feels like we are running in place and going nowhere. Or climbing a very steep mountain and just when you think you are in your grove you lose your footing and slide back down. Believe me I am not getting too greedy in my happiness of 2012 as I know all too well life is a roller coaster. I am very thankful for the blessings bestowed on us in 2012.

 

That being said 2013 has big shoes to fill. Hopefully we have started a good foundation and can just build on it. Positive thinking right! I am trying to take life one day at a time. All we are guaranteed is now. I want to slow down this year and take time to notice the small things. These "small" things aren't small at all. They are memories that are just that, memories. My kids get bigger every time I look at them. I get older every time I look at me:(. My body feels it too. Therefore, I need to slow down and take more time for my health as well. I am not getting any younger. I am one that does not like to make new year's resolutions. I do not make them because I don't want to let myself down if or when I don't follow through with them. However, this year I am making these resolutions. I need to be accountable therefore I am putting it out there, in writing! And hopefully I can look back on 2013 with an even bigger smile than 2012!

 

Throughout this post I am enclosing pictures of special memories in 2012. And here are some more:

 

 Parker getting his baseball trophy and was photo bombed by his friend Justin, lol.

 

My little Cheer Cat.

 

My BFF Ellen came in from Virginia Beach for a visit. We always have so much fun together, maybe too much:).

 

Mason going for his check up. Seat belts are the law!

 

Alli at her back to school night for the start of her 2nd grade year.

 

Parker, on the tracks fixing to start middle school:(.

 

Alli at her first cheer performance.

Mine and Jimmy's fifteenth wedding anniversary. We were going on a date.

 

Girls day out.

 

Jimmy turned 40. Or according to the cake 624!

 

Fall break in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Can you tell we like it there?

 

The kids outside the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg. Our favorite place for breakfast!

 

Parker at our family reunion.

 

A collage of me in 2012. We will see how much I age in the coming year:(.

 

 

 

These are just a few pictures of course. There is nothing like a picture to freeze a moment in time.

Happy New Year everyone. I hope it is everything you wish for and more!!

 

June

 

 

And I quote.......

 

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you are wonderful, and don't forget to make some art - write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself."

                                        ~Neil Gaiman