Oh My Gosh! Where have I been?
I'll tell you just so you don't think I'm just a total SLACKER...

I've been busy with one of my newest, dearest friends (Amina) and I've been working a lot since July, which is a blessing, and I've been attempting a run at the "best mother and wife" of the year award (I think I was officially out of the running as of Februray 2010)

HA!

So things are finally slowing down a bit, which is also a blessing because I'm certain I could not have maintained that pace of life much longer.

I'm still working a good amount at TAC, but I have more time to make my home a HOME and be with my little guy, Peyton, and more energy to spend with Olivia when she gets home from school and more energy to keep my house clean and nice for Steve.

I have met some really wonderful people this past year and I would not change a single thing if given the chance. Every challenge and speed bump, or better said POT HOLE, I've encountered has really made me a better person and a stronger woman/mother.

I'll be up front that this might be the last post for a while, because that's my track record, but maybe I'll surprise myself and post more often. Maybe I'll learn how to add music and pictures and video etc. There have been crazier things I've done, like taking up SEWING! Yes, I did say sewing. I realized recently that sewing, along with cooking, are things I need to do now while I have really great people in my life to help and tutor me. I want my mom to be proud of me and when the day comes that she isn't able to do it for us, that she will feel happy and confident that I can do it; take over for her.

Some really great people that I've known for years have also been a great influence on my year, all in very different ways. So if you have helped me this year, in any way, I hope I've told you THANKS, and I hope you know who you are! Often times we forget to recognize those who touch us so deeply, maybe because we are so busy or because at the time of assistance we are deeply self involved. If I have helped "you" and I hope I have, I know you are thankful for me and what I am able to give you.

Great people come in and out of our lives all the time, and if we are lucky they stay or at least return often to remind us of how LUCKY we are to have them.

My health and abilities are things I have come to cherrish and hold dearly because I've witnessed a lot of heartache and pain since last year. I'm not really afraid to die, but I've seen how death and illness can affect so many people that I'd rather be on the helping end supporting end doing what I can.

My time is valuable to me because it's really the only thing I feel I can give at this point in my life. I have a really bad habit of spreading myself thin, and although I'd love to say "no" to people and events I just don't feel that I can. I have been given so much in my life and I believe that I have the gift of being a "people person" so I can hopefully help people just by being ME!

Hmmm, enough about me! I now need to visit all of your blogs and see what's new with you!

My love to all of you.