2010

This is going to be a long sappy post so if you are looking for some entertaining reading this isn’t it. Feel free to skip over this one….

The last few days I have had a lot of time to myself and it has given me the opportunity to look back at this past year and think of all the things that I was blessed with as well has some trials that I have had to overcome.  The year didn’t start out well with Indy running away right before New Years and being hit by a car a couple weeks later but the year ended well with me finally getting the keys to my house.

I have been so blessed with a wonderful family and friends that have stood by me in difficult times and laughed with me at some of my most crazy times.  I have come to realize how much my friends and family care about me and how difficult it is for me to tell them how I feel. I will always be the first to say Thank You or I really appreciate what you have done but the very last to say I love you and as all of you know I HATE to be touched so a hug is definitely out of the question unless you are Thomas, Noelle Karly or Tyler. I know that I need to be better about that.  So here is a start….

My Mom- I know that I can count on my Mom to teach me something new.  Whenever I have wanted to start a new project as crazy as it maybe she always supports my decision.  Instead of doing what would be easiest for her (which would be doing it herself) she takes the time to sit down and teach me how to do it myself. 

She allows me to make mistakes and learn from them.  She loves me unconditionally and although I may not always do as she would or make the right decision she has never once said “I told you so”.

My Dad- He is about the hardest working man I know.  Not only does he work hard at his store but he gives of his time almost daily to his family and friends.  He never says no when asked to help and he does whatever the project is with a smile on his face. No matter how big the project is.  If he doesn’t know how to do it he will find out how and he will do it to the best of his ability.  

Like my Mom he also allows me to make mistakes and learn from them.  He loves me unconditionally and although I may not always do as he would or make the right decision he has never once said “I told you so”.

Troy- Has always been the strong one. If I need advice or someone to help me think something through and see both sides before making a decision.  I know that I can always count on him to tell a story and make me laugh. 

Kelly- Is in a league of her own.  She truly is my very best friend.  I don’t know many sisters that are as close as we are. We think the same things, we come out of the house wearing the same thing, we laugh at the most ridiculous things (like  “they need a good home.. not one with druuuggggs”)  and we share our most embarrassing moments but most importantly we are always there to support each other.   I don’t know what I would do without her. I know that I can tell her anything without her judging me.  I can count on her to pick me back up when I’ve fallen. I know that I can call her at all hours of the day even if it’s just something crazy without her asking why I’m calling at 1:00AM. I know that she would do anything for me.  She is my rock and I have no idea where I would be without all that she has done and sacrificed for me.  

Julie- Tells it like it is.  I know that she will never holds back and she will be honest.  I love that she calls me just to say hello and see what’s going on.  I love that she tells me stories about Tyler and I love our webcam time.  I love that she makes me laugh and that I can be myself around her.  I really did gain a sister when she and Troy got married!

Thomas- I love this boy more that I can put into words.  It’s the strangest felling and I really don’t know how to explain it.  I love that he is so loving, I love that he will ask to go on a “date” with me, I love that when he sees me walk in the door he runs to give me a hug and yells “Auuuntie”. I love that he thinks of others and their feelings.  I love his smile and bright blue eyes.

Noelle- Is a miniature me.  She teaches me patients and how to slow down and just enjoy the moment.  I love her bright smile and all of her facial expressions.  I love her intuitiveness. I love how she cares for her babies.  I love how much she loves her baby sister.  I love that no matter how busy I am she will make me stop to have a conversation with her, read her a book, or sit and play with her.  She makes me laugh on a daily basis with her imagination and perspective.

Tyler- I love that he calls me Auntie Shell.  I love that no matter how much time goes by that I haven’t seen him he knows me and isn’t hesitant to play with me.  I love his bright hazel eyes and his contagious smile. 

Karly- She may only be 7 months old but she has taught me more in the past year than anyone or anything.  She strong and she is a fighter. She has a huge smile and bright blue eyes and she loves to be held.

Dave- I love that he has compassion and wants to do the right thing.  Even when it isn’t easy or the “popular” thing he does it anyways.  I love that he has compassion for the little kids at the hospital. I love that he watches over me and always wants me to feel safe in my home. I love that he is always willing to help me with something around the house. I really really love when he mows my lawn and plants beautiful flowers for me.

Chris- I love that each time I see him he asks how “my people” are doing (meaning my clients). I love that he treats my Mom with respect.  I love that he is always willing to help.  I love his stories about work and I love that he isn’t shy about telling them.

Christina- I love what an example she is to me.  I love that I can call her after not talking to her in months and how it feels like it was yesterday.  I love her generosity and the love that she shows to those that she comes into contact with.  I love getting her perspective on things.  I love that she sets goals and she really does accomplish them. 

Wanda- I love that she gets me.  I love that I can make a plan with her and be able to call and say I’m just to tired and she isn’t upset and that she knows and does the same thing to me.  I love that she calls me daily on her way home from work to just see how my day went.  I love that we can laugh about the difficult things that come up and that we support each other when life gets difficult.  I love that I can trust her with a secret. 

Cassandra- I love that she loves me for who I am and doesn’t expect or want me to be anything but who I am.  I love that she feels free to question me about what I believe to be true and why.  I love that she laughs at all my idiosyncrasies.  I love that she calls and asks for advise and that she knows that I will keep what she says between us.  

To all the rest of my friends and coworkers I want you to know how much I have appreciated your support, kind words of wisdom and the love that you have shown me over the past year. Thank you for being who you are and doing the things that you do.

Thank you all for the role that you play in my life and for love and support that you have given me.  I am truly blessed to have each one of you in my life. 

I love you all!!!