Closing in on 2012

Seeing as how the holidays are slowly passing us by, I wanted to take a moment to think about the new year ahead and the one that we are putting behind us.  I would be lying if I said that 2011 was the best year of my life, that is not to say that there were not wonderful moments.  We had a wonderful trip to London and fell in love with a city that I could see us living in without any issues.  We embarked on the next chapter of our lives and became pregnant, and found that we really have never been happier in our relationship.  Those first few years were challenging and beautiful in so many ways, but I really feel that Paul and I have found our groove.  And I have never felt more in love and more committed than I do at this time.  

And then there have been the bumps in the road that no one saw coming, or could have prepared us for.  It was a shock to find out that my parents were seperating and to say it broke my heart, is the understatment of the year.  I looked to my parents as the tride and true guide to a happy, long marriage and to find out that there were cracks in the foundation, tested my faith in the sanctity of marriage, even my own.  But as I have come to find out, everyone has their own journey and sometimes you have to allow people to fall and make mistakes in order for there to be growth, even when you do not understand the reasoning.  I can say that this year has been one of transformation for myself and those closest to me.  For me, I have learned that I cannot control everything and letting go can be very freeing.  Who am I to decide what is best for others, I can only do that for myself.  And I have learned to be a better sister, daughter, wife and friend.  It takes so little to be there for someone, yet it gives back so much in return.  I would not give back the time that I have been able to spend with my sister and mom, that under different circumstances may not have been possible.  I love these two women more than life, and I have learned so much about them this year and believe that we are on a good path to something wonderful.

Leaving behind 2011 and embarking on 2012 is something I have been looking forward to for some time.  So many amazing things in the works for next year.  Katie and Rodger are getting married.  This is such a wonderful thing and I know that they make one another so very happy and I cannot wait for their big day.  Mom and I are planning the shower, the bachelorette weekend is in the works and then the wedding will be here before we know it. 

And then we have little Baby Madore joining us in the summer.  I cannot express in words how happy I am just talking about this, such joy.  I am excited and nervous and at times giddy, at the idea of having this little person that Paul and I created looking up at me and falling in love with every moment.  I was a late comer to the idea of motherhood and having a little one, but I feel like I am hitting my stride.  I cannot wait... For all of the wonderful moments to come!

So with that I say Happy New Year and Goodbye 2011!  Such great things awaite us just around the corner!

A Small Announcement

I have been wanting to make this announcement for weeks and finally I feel like it is time to tell the world... Moe is going to be a big brother!  Yep, we are having a baby!!!!  We are beyond excited and cannot wait to share the good news with everyone.  The baby's birthday is July 7th and we are almost 12 weeks along and could not be happier. 

I was very anxious to be excited in the beginning, so as not to get my hopes up and get disapointed if this did not end up the way that we would hope.  But we are now far enough along, and after seeing the doctor yesterday and getting a clean bill of health, I cannot help but be down right giddy that we are having a baby.  And other than the sickness, the absolute lack of energy and an inability to keep a straight thought for more than 10 seconds, I would say that all is well.  We have met with the doctor a few times, done the ultrasounds, seen the baby growing from month to month, and now we are anxioulsy awaiting the moment when he or she reveals their gender to us.  Names are in the works... Many of which I love and Paul hates, but thankfully we have found some middle ground on a few.  .

I feel very lucky to have so many wonderful people around me to support and love Paul and me through this amazing journey.  And I cannot wait to embark on the many adventures that lay ahead of us.

(By the way, this is 11 weeks and 4 days... But not meant to be upside down, but cannot figure out why this photo will not upload correctly or let me rotate.  I am not skilled)

Beyoncé - I Was Here (Live at Roseland)

I realize I am posting more videos than actual info on my life, but when my sister sent me this... I fell in love! This song is just so beautiful and so very fitting for this last year in my life and the life of the amazing people around me. We are so much stronger than we ever thought we could be and we have so much to give and though it can be hard to stay in the moment when the world is trying to drag you down, it can help to remember that you are only living when you live.

So this is my vow to live in the moment, be present, be thankful and never forget that I am alive and I want to live. I am here and I want it to be here for all the good, bad and just down right amazing moments that we are going to all embark on in the next year and for the rest of this life.

Love to all.