Happy New Year!

My husband and I were blessed to be able to get away for New Year's Eve. We celebrated at a hotel in Lansing.

It was very awkward for us, as this was our first time doing this, so we didn't know anything or anyone. Thanks to our clock not working right in our room, we were later than everyone else for hors d'oeuvres so when we arrived at the event, the line for the food was long, but all the tables in the room, that sat anywhere from 6-12 had been taken.

Memories from school flooded back, of being the new kid, and that awkward moment of trying to find a seat in the crowded lunchroom with everyone staring at you. Wondering which table you should go to and be accepted.

After nervously scanning the room, I quickly glanced at the first table inside the door to our left. There were two couples on one end of the round table and it looked as though there were at least three empty seats. "Would it be okay if we set with you or are those seats taken?" I asked.

Everyone welcomed us to sit fine. But you know that kind of awkward silence that fills the air? Yep, you guessed it, we were right in the middle of it. They kept talking in their little group, and left us out. I thought, "This is going to be a long night."

I had really prayed that we'd have fun, because John and I hardly ever get out alone together. So I was really glad, when we were able to break the ice with some small talk, which ended up leading to a night of hysterical laughter and new friendships.

When the couples moved to a bigger table with more of their friends, they invited us to join them. And one of the couples even tried to take pictures of John and I while we were dancing with our messed up camera (all pics they took were blurry!).

Yep, that's my back and John's hands!

This evening could have been a disaster or the blessing it was.

Every day we have the choice to accept and include others and also to be accepted and included. It's hard sometimes after being rejected so long (like I have been) to take that first awkward step, but it is that initial step that will set us free and get us walking in a new direction.

I've battled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder all of my adult life. But this year, I'm forcing myself to step into the awkward.

It's out with the OLD and in the NEW! I hope you will do the same :)

God bless you all and Happy New Year!

Home for the Holidays

It was great to get away on vacation in November over the Thanksgiving holiday. The trip to Florida was beautiful. No rain or snow all the way down or back driving. No bad weather. Only one day of cold while there, all the rest of our 8 days was filled with mostly blue skies and sunshine.

We took a break from everything! I didn't work out once, but I walked the beach, played shuffleboard and putt putt golf, swam, and even shot some pool. Mostly we just kicked back and enjoyed ourselves. We even got to see dolphins swim by from our balcony, and the sunrises and sunsets over the ocean were breathtaking.

No matter how enjoyable and awesome our vacation was though, it was so nice to get back home.

Home is where my heart is. I love our little town of Owosso, Michigan and all the people in it. Corunna is pretty decent too! Love all the Christmas lights and decorations, and love the support and closeness we have in this tight knit community.

But I love my house too. I live next door to where I grew up and spent all my Christmas's. Traditions that we've instilled in our kids have been memories that will carry on to the next generation.

This year our Abuse Bites Team were invited to participate in the Tree of Lights Parade in Corunna, Michigan. Our theme was Santa's Paws for a Cause to Stop Abuse & Bullying. We won BEST MARCHING/WALKING UNIT, received a trophy, and a $50 check!

The parade's theme was Mardi Gra Christmas. My sister, Sue had just passed away and her favorite color was purple--mine pink--so I bought the balloons in her memory and let them go in the middle of the parade.

We also took the dogs in Christmas Costumes to our local Nursing Home, Pleasant View Medical Care Facility, to visit my mom and others for a time of healing pet therapy.

On Christmas Eve we celebrated Christmas with our family . After a delicious dinner prepared by my loving husband, we all gathered together for several hilarious games to the theme of "Surviving Christmas". After each game, the WINNER got to choose and open one wrapped gift. Some were legitimate gifts (gift cards and such) while many others were hysterical pranks.

I never laughed so hard in all my life.

The first game we filled 5 baby bottles with Mt. Dew to determine who was the biggest sucker. For four of them, you could say, "Christmas Sucked" but for the lucky winner, Sam, she got to grab a present.

Sam Wins!!! She's the Biggest Sucker!

They entered arm wrestling contests, balloon blowing contests, a clothes relay, and a couple of games where you couldn't smile--everyone was ROTFL. I was laughing so hard I was crying.

Typically I'm crying because of the great loss I've suffered with my son, father, and now sister passing away. It felt good to have a fun time, celebrate, and laugh. Laughter is the best medicine that's for sure. And gifts given this time of year help to make it a merrier Christmas.

BUT the best Christmas gift of all is simply this, being with all those that love you and celebrating the birth of the precious Christ Child.

From our Home to Yours... Have a wonderful New Year!