WHEW!!

Well turning 40, has been exhausting!! In a great way though. Vegas was super fun, filled with lots of laughs, love, dancing, and drinking...

I have realized this past week, I am truly loved. It is a great feeling inside, when people tell you that, in many ways. I was spoiled by all my friends, and family,with cards, flowers, notes, gifts, and hugs. I am very lucky. I never knew turning 40 would be so wonderful!!... So thank you friends, family, and loved ones, for making me feel special!!!!

2 days! I am off to Sin City!

I am excited ,,,in two days I will be in Vegas! It is an early birthday present. Forty is only a week away.....

I am meeting my twin sister and her husband...Mikes family will be there too.

More than anything I am just glad to be getting away. Although the timing isnt great, since hockey playoffs start. But there never is a good time to get away around here. Thank goodness for my Mom and Dad, they will be looking after the kids.

I am hoping to get some shopping in, a few good meals, gambling and maybe a refreshment or two!! Oh and of course breakfast in bed..... no kids to eat it all!!!!

Just a post.... happiness...it is in us all....

Nothing really significant to post here. But it has been awhile since I have been on here.

Really I have been just thinking lately how content I am with life ,these days. Sure I still want to strangle the kids , when they wont listen. Or maybe even "run away" for a day or two.. Just to escape the daily grind...but when it is all said and done..LIFE IS GOOD..... I have not always been able to say that ...so it feels good to say it and feel it....

I owe this feeling to my awesome friends, family, husband, kids,god, faith, and so much more......

So today that is my post ,just that,,,, I have a good life and I am Happy!.....

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open. " ~John Barrymore

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." ~Frederick Keonig

Just reflecting about my Big Brother

I am not sure why but today I am filled with thoughts of my older brother. He is 7 years older than me, and when I was younger was my everything. I odolized him more than any of my other siblings.

He was the one that I tried to impress and waited for his return, when he would go away to work.

I know why.... My Brother Jimmy ( later he made us call him Jim) always took time for me, and my twin sister. He would play football with us, walk with us, and laugh with us.

I remember going fishing with him, while he piggy backed me, and had Darlene , on his shoulders. I remember going rabbit snaring with him and loving every minute. Mostly because it was more time with him.

Jim did simple things with me, took me for car rides, and let me drive. Or took me for ice cream, and movies.

Later when I was groing up, he still helped me out when he could. With my car or came to visit me in University.

Now as we are both all grown, with kids of our own, we have little time to see eachother. It does make me sad but I know the love is still strong between us.

But today I just wante dto write about my Big Brother and how special he is too me... Thanks Jim for being a great brother...

The Scarf

Oh the scarf, the beautiful scarf.

With it's array of colors strewn throughout.

The warmth it gives me,

Nothing can compare.

I love when I wear it,

People stop and stare.

I will always be true to you,

My scarf.

No matter what,

With you I will never part!!!

Justin's Scarf... may you forever be around his neck,,,,,

Wow A Whole Month -- A New Year -2009

December was a full month of, friends ,family , fun, and sharing our good fortunes. Christmas was busy but worth every minute of stress. Sometimes I complain about all that there is to do , in preperation for Christmas, but when I look back, even just a few weeks later, I am so glad our family traditions are being carried on.

We ended our 2008, with the third annual Kimberly Ski trip. It is my immediate family, and Mikes sister and son. We have neighbors who also join in the fun. It was great to see my older son, hang out with all his little brothers, they will always have those great memories. I said to the kids, next year we will have to try something new. They all said NO!!! They really love this trip, so who am I to take it away, just because I want to be on a beach somewhere. So next year we will go again....

So 2009, is here, and in reflection , of 2008, I can't help but be so grateful for the life I have. I have a super family, and awesome friends. And health. It has been a hard year , for my sister, who has had heath issues almost the entire year, but am Thankful she is doing much better now.

So for 2009..... I will try to remember this great life.

Help others around me.

Thank God, for my good fortune.

Embrace my friends more.

Be patient with my kids ( this is not easy for me)

Love my husband more, not be so edgy with him.

Not be so hard on myself about my image.

Keep working out for my health.

Encourage my children to keep up the great work they already do.

Show my gratitude to my Mom and Dad.

And Have fun......

Of course there is more ,,,so much more...

CNN HEROE S

I was watching the CNN Heroes night ,last week, and was truly amazed at all the wonderful things ordinary people do for one another. It was extremely moving and brought tears to my eyes. It made me ask myself, how come I dont do more. I told my husband I felt pretty useless, after watching these people.

I really began to wonder how do they come up with the resources to start these projects. These projects ranged from building schools in remote poor areas, to a library which ran off a donkey cart ,in Ethiopia, and donating time to help amputees ,for free, in Mexico.

I have always said that one day I would like to do a mission somewhere, really help a community, in need. I would love to take the whole family , so everyone could help, and they could learn about how others live. Hopefully realizing how lucky we are.

Thank goodness there are people who truly care for others, for what would our world be like without them.....

Something a friend of mine said to me, after I was feeling useless. She said you dont have to go around the world , to find people in need, they are in your own community. It was a great statement, because no matter how big or small the help is that you give, it all matters....so I guess that is a starting point for me.. and maybe for you too.....