Happy 12th Birthday

Happy Birthday!!!
See this beautiful girl, she is 12 years old today.

I cannot believe that it is really here. I remember holding her in my arms, this new little life and thinking that we had so much time to be together and my, how it has flown by.
So today I want to wish her a very happy birthday and let her know that my greatest joy in life has been to be her mom for the past 12 years.
She is my little sweet-pea and always will be.
Happy Birthday DQ!!!

Night Before the Night Before the Night Before Christmas Party

Every year we try to have our "Night Before the Night Before the Night Before Christmas" Open House and this year was no different. We opened our home to our new neighbors and ward friends and had a crazy but fun evening. The pile of shoes at the door show how many were in attendance.
Good friends guarding my piano and my Santa collection.

My Lemon and Lime culprits, then later in the evening the lemons and limes ended up back in the punch bowl.

Fun to see some hard working guys have a moment of fun and laughing with old friends.

All in all it was a fun night and I am glad that we did it, but it will take a year to recover and decide to do it all again next year.

Sunday thoughts.......

2009, when one looks back on a year does it ever seem to make sense, or does one just see alot of choices made in moments of panic?

How do I define all that happened in 2009?

That is something that I have been pondering, what do I look back on and remember the most about this year?

The answer to that question is also a hard one, for right at this moment I have regret.

Regret that I did not do enough, that I did not do all that I could, that I took so many things for granted, things that no matter what I do, can never be altered.

I also see times of sacrifice, intense joy, ultimate suffering, love beyond this life, moments that I hope will define me as a better person, moments of renewal, reunion and remembering things of long ago. It has been a year to say the least and one that in all my power will not be repeated, but there is also much hope in the year to come and dreams of peace for my soul.

But for today, I am wearing my heart on my sleeve, tears come easily and often, thoughts are constant in my mind and reminders of sacrifice for my behalf on the forefront of my being.

What was 2009 like for you?

Merry Christmas

I have been internetless for a while and see that I have seriously neglected my blog and email and facebook and all that. But for a while longer I am going to be missing in action as the holiday quickly approaches. You see, I want to spend time with my family, making memories, taking time to just be and doing things that make my heart happy. It is a hard time for me but I am so happy that things in my life are progressing ahead and there is much hope for the coming year.

So my wish to all is that you take the time this season to really look around you, see the many people in your life that mean so much to you and take the time to let them know. Truly the best gift is those that share this journey through life with us and help to make it bearable.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!