New year... new beginnings

As the New Year approaches, I have been looking back at 2013.  This has been a year full of anticipation, hope, disappointment and possibilities.  It has been a year of restoring old friendships and making new ones. It has been a year of hurt and also a year of forgiveness.  Most importantly, it has been a year of change (which I typically hate).  This has been a year for me to grow as a person, and learn from my past.

I realize there are many things to change - beginning with having a little more faith in people.  As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."  Unfortunately, a lot of times - the first step is the hardest one to take.  When you take the first step, you must have faith in what is yet to come.  Having faith can mean opening your heart and letting walls come down - opening your heart and life to new possibilities.  It can also mean believing in someone when they have given you a million reasons not to.  It can mean putting your trust in God, knowing that He knows the plan for your life and He knows what is best.

In 2014, there will be a lot of changes in my world.  C will turn 16 and will be able to drive.  J will turn 21 - which is a HUGE event.  K will finish middle school, and my sweet baby girl will head to high school. All of these things are milestone's in their lives, and I am not sure I am prepared for any of them.

So, I pray on a daily basis that He will show me His plan, and I will have my heart and mind open to listen and follow it. I pray that my babies will remain safe and they will continue to grow in His name. I pray for my heart to be softened and to forgive others for things we may consider unforgivable.  It is time to let go of the negativity, and focus on the positive. I am surrounded by amazing friends and am pretty sure they are they best around.  I work for an incredible company and am blessed with co-workers I truly love. Most importantly - I have the most amazing children and family who support me and my craziness unconditionally.  It is time to make some changes to my life, that are for the better. So... here's to 2014! Cheers!!

The reason for the season...

If you are like me, I have more going on in my life right now than I really know what to do with.  For me... I work full-time, I am a full-time student, I have a daughter playing volleyball (practice twice a week), I have an active 15 year old who has a social life - throw in homework (for me and the kids), final exams, groceries, laundry, attempting to keep the house clean, taking care of animals, having extra kids in the house - then you have Christmas shopping for family, friends, holiday parties, baking... the list can go on forever!  Now...let me say, as crazy hectic as it is - I wouldn't change a thing!  I love my life and I love all the people in it - it just tends to get a little crazy sometimes! We tend to get caught up in the commercial aspect of Christmas, and truly forget what this holiday is about.

We focus on Christmas traditions, we worry about when Rudolph comes on, we worry about what food will be prepared for Christmas dinner...all of these things are fine.  But do we take the time we should to focus on the REAL reason for the season?

In John 3:16 it tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave us his one and only Son."  That sentence sums it up - this is the time of year to celebrate Him and His birthday!  Celebrate by adopting a family in need and reaching out, show them what God's love is all about.  Sit down with your family, take time to read the Christmas story and keep Jesus in the heart of the holiday!!