Oh the Places You'll Go (Or Number 7)

Last night I was reading LittleOne this book as a night time story. And it made me start thinking; when I first graduated High School I had this confidence. I knew things would be tough, but I was sure I could handle it. And I realized that a lot of this had to do with the confidence & support my NameSake and her amazing husband, my UncleD gave me through high school.
A while back UncleD & I were talking and he stated how they expected me to get through college quickly and be doing great things. That was my plan, looking back I'm pretty sure I could have done it. I wouldn't exchange it though for what I have now. I have a family I wouldn't exchange for anything. But I don't think I would be able to get through what I need to, and what I needed to without their help. I have accomplished a lot just not what we all thought I would. And I'm not done yet...
Thank you my NameSake! Thanks UncleD! I know the both of you have touched and helped mold more kids than I can even begin to realize but that doesn't make what you do for me any less. Oh the Places I'll go because I'm not a lone, and because when I'm down, someone has already shown me that I have what it takes to get back up out of the slumps. :-D

Christmas Gift Exchanges

So I know it's not Christmas yet. I don't usually do Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving, but I will start making, picking out, and buying presents months in advance. So I've been thinking about presents, and have even started/bought some already.
Granted my family is not financially sound. But even with that we still try to help those we love, and others we don't know. So Christmas isn't about us in our family. We tend to not think about what we're getting, but giving. I have no idea what, if anything, I'll be able to do for my BetterHalf for Christmas.
So Christmas gift exchange lists, I feel are really important. I feel like it was the one way I even began to keep track of all my relatives growing up. When you get a present for them, I feel, you should personalize it. You find out about them, you think of them a lot. It brings us all closer. Thats what I love about Christmas gift exchanges. After all isn't Christmas all about celebrating the gifts He came to give us, don't you think He thought of each of us individually?
I still own a sweater one of my Aunts made me when I was, I think it was, 12. Because she thought of me as she made it. So while other ways of doing it, and other things are good. (Not to put down on ANYONES traditions) I truly feel giving person to person is best, especially in bigger families. We can't all afford to give presents to everyone every year on their birthdays, or even for Christmas. But we can afford to stop and think about someone and truly get to know them to know what they would like & sometimes need.
That's my opinion, thanks for reading.

Happily Ever After

I had an epiphany just now. I was standing in my room looking in my mirror, just trying to figure out my own feelings on some things going on in my life. (I know that's kind of weird, but looking in the mirror makes me feel like I get a better view inside myself...)
I noticed reflecting in the mirror a picture of myself, it was one of my graduation pictures.
My dear 'Bradre' took them. He helped mold me, I love that man. And would drop anything to help any of his family if I knew how. Anyway. The pictures were taken around his yard, he has a rather scenic yard in places. I remember thinking of my future husband, and just my future in general, as those pictures were being taken. When I looked in the mirror just now and saw that picture, I realized that what I was really doing was dreaming of my 'Happily Ever After' . And that made me wonder if I've found it. I'm married, that's usually when it comes in the fairy tales. And I've decided that I have found it.I wouldn't trade my life for anything or everything. I don't think a Happily Ever After would be right without trials. I like it this way. I am Happy, and I think that happiness will just continue to grow.
So here's to Happily Ever Afters. I hope you can all find your Happily Ever After beginnings. (Especially Kare-Bear & Buzz, and Atlas & his Princess who are getting married in the next couple of months.) I'm grateful for my 4 and 1/2 years into Eternity that have begun my Happily Ever After.

P.S. We met the Future Mrs.Atlas and she is everything anyone could ever ask for, for Atlas. Not only everything he wants, but needs. We love her dearly, and I can't wait to see her again. She really is what he's been waiting for.

Time for something New

First off, thanks to everyone who responded to Naming Things. Each of your timings was perfect and helped me a lot.
Secondly... Well, just new things are happening all over the place. BAN was just born & when we went to meet him in Idaho our car broke down. Which was kind of a blessing because then RN was there to help us, otherwise we would have had to take it to a mechanic which would have not been possible.
I really loved this Idaho trip, I especially enjoyed just feeling like I could bond and socialize with my sisters. Normally I get all stressed out and worried. This was nice. I don't remember the last time I felt so loved at a family gathering. (May I just note, that I know this has a lot to do with me & I pray this doesn't offend anyone, it is what it is.)
I'm also SUPER excited for StateStreet who is not only fortunate enough to have an awesome husband. But the two of them are expecting 2, yes TWO, baby boys at the end of March. I wish I could be closer to StateStreet as she figures out being pregnant with twins. Yay for texting & phone calls!
I can't even express how excited I am about the other things going on. Kare-Bear is getting married end of December. LittleOne is SO excited to be her flower girl. I truly believe it will be a WONDERFUL ceremony and will improve lives.
Eight days later my sweet brother Atlas is getting married. I haven't met the amazing woman. But I can't wait to, hopefully we'll meet her tomorrow. I know she must be one of the most beautiful women on the inside & out. Nothing else would bring the peace & joy into Atlas' life like this. (Don't worry, I have no expectations of her being perfect. I have no idea what to expect. I just want to get to know her, & hope she can get to know us.)