Saturday, December 31, 2005

New Year's Eve

I don't know why but NYE is somewhat depressing. First, I am too scared to go out and celebrate. I don't trust people on this night. Everyone drinks which is fine but then they drive. I'm scared to be on the road when most people are sober so you can imagine how edgy I am driving on holiday nights when I know people have been drinking? And then there are the idiots who shoot guns into the air. I don't live in neighborhood where that tends to happen but for some reason, I always expect to see a bullet drop through my roof on NYE. And as if it's not difficult enough to deal with the post-holiday let-down of saying goodbye to Christmas, we now have to say goodbye to the year that we just spent 365 days living. And worse, every show on tv is a look back at the year and of course they always close it by showing the face of every person who passed away. Hello! That is SAD! And on top of that, this year we're going to be rehashing the devestating images of Katrina. I mean really, I don't know about you guys but I can't wait to get to New Year's morning. There's a kind of relief that it's over. I remember when I was little, my Mom used to always cry at midnight on New Years. I think they were happy tears but when you're little, you're just concerned about what it is that's making Mom cry. My Dad proposed to my Mom on New Years so I will assume they are happy tears. But it's tradition. Mom always cries on New Years. I wonder if she still does. My parents have been divorced since I was 10 so I wouldn't think so. But my Mom's a big sentimental mush so she may very well still cry. ; )

So first I would like to thank 2005 (and more importantly, the God who walked beside me in 2005) for the following:

Digital Scrapping - I am so excited to have this hobby that I love. I'm thrilled for the opportunities I was given and that I can use it all to express how much I adore my family and friends.

My girlfriends (including those that are family!) - I am one lucky chica to have so many fantastic women in my life. I used to be one of those girls who would say "I get along better with men then with women." Well, I'm glad I saw how much I needed female friendships because it's you gals who inspire me and encourage me.

A bigger apartment - We must have the only 3 bedroom apartment WITH backyard in Orange County that goes for the price we get it at. It's unheard of and we are blessed to live here.

McKenna's preschool - She adores her class and I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to work a mere 3 hours a week so that she can attend for free. She is doing phenomenal and learning so much and I'm so proud of all that she has accomplished this year. She's amazing.

The birth of my nephew Gavin. It was a scary week to have him in the NICU but a joy to now see him thriving and happy and oh-so-kissabley cute!! And while I'm being thankful, I am always thankful for my little Lukey. And particularly, I am thankful for all the ways he has grown this year. I cannot believe it's almost his second birthday. He's becoming such a little man.

Erick being assigned to a unit at work. We now have a more predictable schedule and one that we love. He has a caseload of minors that he works with and he feels a lot of accomplishment with his job.

My marriage. How did I get so lucky? I can't believe this gorgeous, intelligent, talented man treats me like such a queen. He acts as though he doesn't deserve me when really, I'm the one who is fortunate enough to have snagged him. This year we celebrated 5 years of marriage and he is still and even more so the greatest friend I could ever ask for.

And my absolute favorite part of 2005 - The birth of little miss Kyla Elizabeth. She is healthy and beautiful and happy and I could not even dream of having it better. She is so easy to please, so smiley and social, such a good sleeper, so flexible with all that we do. I just can't believe the abundant blessing she is.

As for resolutions, I'm not against resolutions by any means. But I'm one of those people that if I'm gonna do it...I'm gonna do it NOW. I don't usually need to resolve because if I'm serious about something then I've already done it or am already in the process. Here are a few things I'd like to do....

Practice, practice, practice using my new camera.

Start scrapping pics from McKenna's first year.

Start cleaning out our closets. We ALL have entirely too much clothing.

Get rid of the mouse that lives in our apartment. He's too smart for traps apparently. If he didn't POOP on things then I'd let him live here. I mean, he's tiny and cute and doesn't even eat our food. But c'mon. Do you have to POOP everywhere? So since he does, he must go. Now if I could just find a way to get rid of him.

I know I won't start working out until spring. It's just my way. I get really motivated to work out in spring and then I do until the weather gets hot and then I stop. That works for me. Although I do think it would benefit me to include more yoga in my schedule because I have terrible posture and yoga seems to help me with that.

So there. That's my list of "resolutions". Damn, I have a good life. I should never be allowed to complain right?

Ok, I have two new scrapping pages. Wanna see?

This one is for my sister (Melanie) and my cousin (Alyson).


Credits: Kit is Jasbeanie's "Awfully Chocolate". Flowers and Brads are Gina Miller's "Pretty Petals". Alpha is Traci Sims' "English Roses" (recolored). Fonts are Anke Calligraphic FG (majority of journaling), Jump Start (keyword journaling), Blueberry (SMA).
Journaling: In our family, the words SISTER and COUSIN have the same meaning - they mean FRIEND. No distance will seperate us, no argument will finish us, and time will only draw us closer. We share family features, both good and bad. We share memories passed, sweet moments of the present and hope for the future. We share the promise of knowing that we always have each other. We are bound together twice with both family and friendship. We are family because we must be but we are friends because we choose to be.

And this one is for my devestatingly handsome husband:



Credits: Green Paper and Ribbon from Gina Miller's "Deck the Halls". Other papers from Gina Miller's "Fig & Plum". Brads from Gina Miller's "Dusty Rose". Alpha from Gina Miller's "Birthday Blitz". Font is Jefferson.
Journaling: With you I knew God's face was handsome
Photo taken by my Mom
Text is lyrics from Alanis Morrisette's "Simple Together"



And lastly, a little shout out to the wonderful and sweet women on the FTM board. I'd disappeared from the board for a bit and they came searching for me saying that they missed me. How sweet is that? Thanks for caring girls. {{{Hugs all around}}}

Well everyone, I hope your NYE is joyful and not depressing. I wish you lots of joy and laughter and more importantly, safety for this night. And I wish you peace and blessings and health for 2006. See you on the other side!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG, your weather thing says it's 59 degrees there. You must feel like you're practically in the Arctic! ;) I enjoyed your list of things you're thankful for. I think you have inspired me to do one for my own blog tomorrow, it's a good idea.

Now let me go attempt to get past your security feature. ;)

Anonymous said...

I am so with you on NYE. I am so ready for it to be over and to just start fresh with the new year. I love your 2005 list!

Anonymous said...

Hi honey... yes you are Blessed as am I to have 2 such awesome daughters that turned into even more phenomenal mothers! And YES I do still cry on New Years Eve....

I love you! Mom

Jen said...

i hope you and your family have an even more wonderful new year than the last. i have really enjoyed getting to "know" you this past year and can't wait to read more about your lives throughout the next year :)

Random samplings of my Delightful Life said...

You have inspired me. Is that how you stay so upbeat? Always looking at the positive?

LadyHAHA said...

Oh hey! You have a 2005 list too! Glad you had a good NYE and no bullets came crashing down your roof! LOL! You don't live in COMPTON woman!!!

Anonymous said...

I know I've said it before, but your outlook on life and the positive energy you carry just amazes me!
Happy New Year, my friend!!