Reflection of 2011

Dec21

We’ve almost completed another year. Another year filled with memories and moments. I’m sure we all had high moments and low moments. Feel free to share yours here, in the comment section.

As I sit here looking back on the year that’s passed, I can’t help but feel so fortunate and realize how truly blessed I am. I know that there are others less fortunate, so I try not to take anything for granted. Here are my reflections on the year:

1) This year we were able to support more charities. Our first event was in February, The Bacchus Foundation’s yearly ball. I posted about it earlier this year and posted photos from the event. Then in June (my birthday month!) we went to Jazzoo again. Instead of presents, this year I asked for donations to the Kansas City Zoo. They currently don’t have penguins, which are my favorite animals and I think it should be a crime to not have them! I also posted about this earlier in the year. I am happy to report, however, that construction for the penguin village has begun and penguins should begin arriving around 2013! I can’t wait.

Also, this year we went to the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers (NAIFA) first annual charity gala. The theme was a throw back to the old days of glitz and glamour and had a casino. The proceeds of the event went to Operation Breakthrough, a local charity that supports children. To learn more about their work visit their website. Finally, we also attended NAIFA’s annual Firefighter of the Year banquet; an event held by the Greater Kansas City chapter to show appreciation for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line everyday. The honorees are amazing people, doing amazing things within their communities and it was awesome to be a part of it.

2) There were some sad moments throughout the year. My grandmother in Philadelphia passed away in March, and Brett’s uncle in October. Throughout everything, we were reminded that we have the best people in our lives. Thank you to anyone who said a prayer; sent a card, text message, phone call; or just stopped to ask us how we were. We appreciate you all more than you know.

3) There were some amazing adventures in 2011 as well. This summer we spent a lot of time at the lake house. The expansion is complete and it looks amazing! It’s nice to have a place where the whole family can come together just to be together. We also got to take a HUGE family vacation to Mexico. There were 17 of us. We threw a surprise birthday party for Brett’s aunt. She has no idea we were all going to be there and was so surprised to see everyone there when she arrived. It was a wonderful week, full of wonderful memories. One of the coolest adventures we took this year was going to the freaking World Series! We went to Game 7 in St. Louis!!! It was so much fun (even if the Rangers lost) and possibly one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.

4) Last year I mentioned that there were lots of weddings, babies and engagements. Well this year we celebrated those things. My brother and sister in law welcomed another daughter to the family in August, Scout Marie. She is adorable and looks like my brother. My sister Janine got married in August and my cousin Elyse tied the knot in October. THIS year saw more engagements and next year is going to busy with weddings. By my count there are six! Congratulations to all our friends and family that will be wedding within the next year! We look forward to celebrating with you!

5) I wrote last year that I had started school again and that I was hoping to report that I’d be finished by now. Well, I’m not finished yet, BUT I believe I will be finished in May! I couldn’t be more thrilled, so start looking for graduation announcements in the spring (be sure I have your email address, phone number or home address so you can get an announcement).

6) Finally, like last year, my favorite thing from 2011 is that it’s another year Brett and I spent together (number 5!). I know it’s cheesy, but it’s true. Each year we spend together just reaffirms what I already know; I love our life. He makes me happy and was an amazing support when my Grandmom died. I couldn’t ask for a better partner!

So, that’s my year in a small recap. I hope your 2011 was everything you dreamed it would be. And, if it wasn’t, I hope 2012 is the year of YOU!

Happy Holidays and a truly Happy New Year!

The War on Christmas

Dec12

So I’ve been seeing and hearing an awful lot of noise about this “war on Christmas.” And I can’t help but shake my head in disappointment. There is NOT a war on Christmas. Let me repeat that, THERE IS NOT A WAR ON CHRISTMAS!

Advent Wreath

I get so irritated when I hear someone say “happy holidays’ and the person they say it to responds with something along the lines of ‘oh, you mean happy Christmas.” No, jerk. I mean happy holidays. If I meant happy Christmas I would have said that. You know why I didn’t say that? Probably because if I don’t know you, I don’t know which holiday you celebrate.

In case you have forgotten, Christmas is not the only holiday in December. Just because you don’t happen to celebrate any of the others doesn’t mean they don’t happen. And to insist that other people say happy Christmas is not only ignorant, but incredibly rude, intolerant and downright stupid.

Just because you celebrate Christmas doesn’t mean you get to force Christmas on everyone else. And that goes for the other holidays, as well. If you celebrate Hanukkah, that’s awesome. Kwanzaa? Fantastic! And for those of you who get annoyed and upset because you’re starting to see more and more Hanukkah and Kwanzaa stuff at the stores, why are you upset? Why can’t those holidays be just as over commercialized and their meanings just as lost, too? Are we really so selfish as a society that we’re also trying to control who’s holiday gets to be the most commercialized?

Menorah for Hanukkah

So, when I say Happy Holidays, I’m not saying it to wage war on Christmas. I’m saying because I don’t know which of the many and wonderful December holidays you celebrate. And if you were a polite human being you would respond with a simple, ‘thank you. And a Happy (insert your holiday here).” Since I’m a smart person, I’ll figure out you’re telling me which holiday to tell you to enjoy the next time we should meet.

Kinara for Kwanzaa

So, Happy Holidays, Happy Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy Festivus to all of you. And if you don’t celebrate at all because you don’t believe in any of it, well then, Happy Solstice and Happy December.

Happy December

Happy Winter Solstice

Viva Vallarta

Nov8

Last month I was fortunate enough to take an amazing vacation.

Thanks to Brett’s uncle (and his aunt having her birthday to prompt the trip) the whole family was able to go! It was a surprise party for his aunt, and his uncle (and Brett, and his uncle’s assistant) have been planning it for a year! And even though there were several things that almost spoiled the surprise, the whole thing managed to go off without the surprise being ruined!!!!

Mary was very surprised to see her whole family in MEXICO!

That’s right, this surprise party took place in another country! There were 17 of us. And it was such a wonderful time.

I feel so thankful to be included as part of this family. Everyone is so genuinely kind and they truly get along and enjoy each other’s company.

Here are a few shots from the trip.

Our view from the dining room terrace.

Our day in Sayulita. My favorite place on Earth.

Brett and me after surfing. I’m fierce!

Brett as a living mannequin in a boutique in downtown Vallarta.

At the Cheeky Monkey. Best drinks in town (and SUPER CHEAP)!

Brett’s sister, mom and cousin. Three of the nicest women I know.

A huge!!! THANK YOU to Dave and Mary for such an amazing trip!

A Wedding Weekend

Sep9

As I type the first part of this post I am sitting on an airplane heading toward Oklahoma City for my baby sister’s wedding.

I am excited, nervous and stressed all at the same time. And it’s not even my wedding!!!

I’m excited because I helped plan this wedding and did a bunch of it from another state. And because I’m the maid of honor (another sister, Maura, is the matron of honor). And because weddings are exciting.

I’m nervous because I don’t love to fly. I had to check two bags (one which has my dress and the wedding programs)! And because I want the wedding to go smoothly.

I’m stressed because it’s a wedding and there is a lot involved. I want this to be a great wedding for Janine.

I recently told someone that one of my most favorite things in the world is being a sister. I love it. I can’t imagine a life without my sisters. ALL of them. And so, as a sister, I worry about all the things that could go wrong.

The optimist in me says everything is going to run smoothly and everything will be perfect! I’m trying to listen to her and ignore the realist.

Update to follow after the wedding.

UPDATE:
IT WAS WONDERFUL!

JHS Class of 2001

Jun21

June 10th was my 10 year high school reunion. 10 YEARS?!?! What? Where did the last decade go?!?!

When I first saw the Facebook post about planning it I immediately decided I wasn’t going. No way. Uh-huh. Why on Earth would I want to go? I haven’t seen any of my high school class in ten years – maybe there is a reason…. And on and on and on.

But with advice and input from my trusted advisors (and a lot of encouragement from Brett) I changed my mind and went.

And I am so HAPPY that I did. I had a really great time seeing the people I haven’t seen in ten years.

There were lots of drinks bought, a ton of laughter and so many pictures. It was really a great night and I’m so glad I didn’t miss a wonderful opportunity to see some really great people.