I wish you...

I wish you days of peace, for there will be many trials in life.

I wish you days of sunshine.  We never realize how much we enjoy the sun until we don't have it.  

I wish you days of trials..... so you will appreciate the peace!

I wish you struggles in life so you will know exactly how strong you are.

I wish you love.... the kind of love you feel when you become a parent.  There are no words to describe it.

I wish you laughter!!  Deep gut laughter and if you almost pee your pants, that's a bonus!

I wish you butterflies in the pit of your stomach when you see that special person.

I wish and hope your Character, Morals and Values will stay firm and grounded in life.  Never jeopardize those.  Once lost, they are so hard to retrieve.

People will remember you for something.  You will always be known as the person who _______________.  

There is a saying, "People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel."

Make it positive.

Photo Shoot

Sarah and Lizzie were asked to be part of a photo shoot for The Skin Bar http://www.dbtstheskinbar.com/ which is a "pod" store for Delicate Beauty Spa http://www.delicatebeautyspa.com

Both which are owned by a friend of mine Nancy Young who is an incredible entrepreneur, esthetician and fitness guru!  She is also my spinning instructor whom I complain bitterly about but couldn't live without!

I'm thankful for our chance meeting, for her friendship and for being such an amazing role model to all three of our daughters!  

If you are in the Ann Arbor area, go to one of her locations!  You won't be disappointed!  And tell her I sent you :)  

Lizzie far left, Sarah far right

2013 to be a milestone year!! I'm ready! I think...

2013 - The world didn't end... those Mayans!  So now we continue forward with the new year, ready or not!  

I had the realization yesterday as I was cleaning, meal planning, laundry (sitting on Facebook) that 2013 is going to be monumental for our family!

Emily turns 21 this year.

Sarah graduates high school, will be traveling to the University of Michigan for college (approximately 5 miles from our home) and will turn 18.

Lizzie will turn 16.

The one bummer about all of this is that Eric and I turned 50 last year!  Can you even imagine the excitement if we would be celebrating our 50th birthday's this year as well?  Dang... had I only planned this better.... :)

Speaking of Lizzie... we went to the DMV to get her drivers permit last night.  I realized how much you change as a parent after each child.  We left the DMV, Lizzie got behind the wheel and said to me, "I'm such a good driver", proceeded to put it in drive instead of reverse and almost hit the pole in front of us.  I laughed and immediately Tweeted about it! That would not have happened with the other two!!  

On another note, Eric will be having knee surgery Monday.  Not a replacement thank goodness!  We are hoping that he will be as good as he was at 48!  One can only hope!  I'm feeling some pressure because I will be taking him to the hospital... (thank goodness for free WIFI so I can document his day), and cooking which will be added to my usual routine of... well, making the coffee, eating breakfast that Eric made for me, starting my job as researcher for Facebook and Twitter and Instagram, working out, having lunch with friends and getting my nails done.  I know, I know... it's a lot of pressure but I'm feeling up to the challenge!!  Don't worry, it will be well documented on Facebook and Twitter.  

Losing loved ones.

December 26, 2012   I lost a family friend to liver cancer. He was diagnosed January of 2012.  I went to see Charlie in August, he got tired easily but was still going to work.  It was a wonderful visit but on my drive from Columbus back to Michigan I had time to think about the fact that plans were being made for when he was no longer alive.  I mean, his wife and I talked about this and the things that Charlie wanted to make sure were in place for her, trying to decide if they should sell their home because he didn't want her to have to take care of their large property, etc.  Having the "I probably won't make it to the end of the year" conversation was very real.  I had 3 hours to let this soak in and wondered how I, if given the same diagnosis, would handle it.  Charlie took a hot air balloon ride, walked one of his daughters down the isle and connected with old friends.  I went back to see Charlie December 9th and he wasn't doing very well.  I felt certain that would be the last time I saw him alive.  We didn't think he would make it the week.  I had to be back in Columbus on Dec 17th with Emily and we went to see him again.  He was so proud of my girls when we talked about their riding, Sarah being accepted to colleges and Emily interviewing for Internships.  Before we left, Charlie told Teri that they needed to contact their neighbor who works for Limited Brands and put a good word in for Emily.  That was Charlie, always thinking of others.  That was to be my last hug and last goodbye to Charlie.  He died 9 days later.  Charlie was 57.


January 5, 2012   I just returned home from the viewing of the mother of a friend.  Wendy's mother passed away on Wednesday.  It was very fast.  Wendy saw her mom at 10am Wed morning and she passed away at 11pm that night. I didn't know Wendy's mother but listening to Wendy talk about all the things her mother taught her and her love of horses and the plans they had of doing things together broke my heart.  There was no time to make plans, no time for talking about what you would like to have done with your home, your animals, etc.  It happened so fast.  Wendy is still numb and in shock as anyone would be.  

Death happens, none of us can avoid it.  Will we ever be prepared?  I don't think so, no matter how well we have things in order or how fast it happens, no one if fully prepared for death.  

Hug your kids, your spouse, your parents, your friends.  Stop and listen, really listen when they speak to you.  I find myself half listening if I'm doing something else I think is more important.  Nothing is more important than the relationships we have with those we love.  I have promised myself to be in the moment when someone is talking to me.  I hope you will too.