2019 - You Have Been Quite The Ride

Is it an age thing or is it just me? My life seems to be moving faster than a teenager at a busted tailgate party.  Wasn’t yesterday the beginning of Summer?  The year of 2019 has been a doozy, filled with crushing goals, healing bones, memorable travels, memories with friends and family, graduations, birthdays, last days, scary moments and so much more!  I have grown spiritually this year, gained new friends and learned so many life lessons.

Here’s a quick breakdown of this past year.

CRUSHED goals and accomplishments:

• QUIT SMOKING on March 3rd!!

• Traveled on a plane and navigated an unknown city BY MYSELF for the first time ever!  My child needed me – quite the motivation!

• Road a horse up a mountain without dying! Survived riding this horse along a cliff and somehow avoided passing out from the TERROR of it all.

My travels and adventures:

• My family and I travelled to Wyoming this past Summer.  Probably the most beautiful place I have ever visited.

• Travelled to El Paso…by myself (as mentioned above).  I faced many fears and got to spend one on one time with my oldest.

• Attended a New Kids On The Block concert with my friend, Tia.  We saw NKOTB, Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, Naughty By Nature and Salt N Pepa.  It. Was. Amazing.

• Attended Hootie and The Blowfish concert, featuring Barenaked Ladies.  A group of friends and I stayed in a cute little VRBO in Old St. Charles.  We shopped and enjoyed this fabulous concert.  Some awesome memories were made.  I love my friends so much!

Losses, Healing and Growth

• The year started out with my accident prone child, Nick, and the healing of his broken wrist.  Fun times, glad it’s over.  🙂

• We lost my father in law in July.  I miss him teasing us and hearing his booming voice throughout the house.  I miss seeing him in the field.  He is missed by his grandchildren, his children, his family, friends and his wife, very much.

• Nick strikes once again.  In August he wrecked his dirt bike.  Almost 4 months later, he is still recovering from the brain injury he suffered.  He is in a few different therapies and is still only attending half days at school.  We are so blessed  with amazing doctors and therapists, a small town school that knows my boy and is doing everything possible to help him and going over and beyond (daily).  We are blessed with a supportive network of friends and family.  Without his helmet, we are told he would not be with us.  We are extremely grateful to celebrate his 16th birthday today!

Life changes:

• My oldest son got married on November 17th

• Same son is expecting a baby boy in February!! I will be a grandma!

• My oldest daughter will be getting married next September!

This past year I have witnessed the graduation of my beloved nephew.  He is now in college and I’m so proud of him.  My youngest daughter graduated from 8th grade and is now a freshman.  I’ve witnessed my best friend’s daughter graduate from high school.  She is just another kiddo that I claim as my own.

I am looking forward to this next year because I know my son will continue to heal.  I will continue to grow spiritually…with the help of a few bible studies and a nurturing church.  I will be a GRANDMA.

Life isn’t perfect or easy but trying to stay positive and grateful helps a ton.  Changing negative patterns and thoughts will help during the rough patches.  I have to work on myself everyday to change my attitude and impulsive negative actions.  Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don’t.

I wish each and every one of you a happy and prosperous new year filled with growth, healing, good times, sweet memories and faith powerful enough to get you through the valleys!  Peach out, 2019!