Spring Break in Tampa

I can't believe I haven't posted since January. So many things, wonderful and not so much, have gone on since then. I truly need to make more time to write, since I do enjoy doing so.

Once again, I'm in Florida w/ the Celentano family for Spring Break. Our first full day here has been eventful. From Target, to the pool, dinner and now 'Just Dance', there's always excitement to be had!

Today also is Palm Sunday, the start to Holy Week. From what I hear, service was amazing, and I'm sad to have missed it. However, thanks to the power of technology & the great crew @ MGT, I will be able to hear it online @ some point.

Tomorrow we're off to Adventure Islands! While I'm excited, I'm slightly nervous due to today's sunburn! Ah! It's much too early in the week to be sunburned. There are more days of sun and fun to be had!

In closing, (how official that sounds! ha!)I'm thankful to God for his traveling mercies on us, and to the Celentano clan for inviting me back again.

Good Bye to 2010

Today is the last day of 2010. It's been quite a year, and I can honestly say I'm glad that it's (almost) over. I have a good feeling about 2011; I'm not 100% sure why, but it beats having anxiety over it. In reality, we are supposed to live for the moment and not worry about tomorrow. I can't say I'm worried, though. I look forward to what will come in the New Year. Both good and hard times are to be expected, but by the grace of God, I'll get through them all.

I was supposed to be 'on top' of my blog throughout this year, but I've always allowed 'life' to get in the way. Anyone who is a frequent text or email pal knows I can 'go on' forever. So, why not put some of that energy into my blog? One of my resolutions is to dedicate some more time to my writing each month. As I look back at my posts, I see how much emotion is in my writing. While reading, I either laugh out loud or have tears in my eyes by the end. Regardless of the emotions my blogs bring, I know that I have a passion for writing and preserving memories.

I end this blog with some photos of happy memories from this year. Of course I have MANY happy memories from 2010, but not enough time to post all of the photos I'd like to. Perhaps I'll start a scrapbook. Someone check up on me and see if I've actually started one! I wish anyone who reads this blog a blessed and Happy New Year!

For Michelle

Back in September, my friend, Michelle, was gently reminding me to get going with my blogs. For someone who loves writing, I certainly have stopped doing something I truly enjoy.

These last four months of 2010 have been very busy and full of emotions. I'm glad to be on Christmas break to kind of organize and catch up with things, as well as relax. I slept for a very long time last night, and God knows I needed it. This week is also a good time to catch up with my blogging, and to try and do (much) better in 2011.

This blog is for Michelle. She is currently home being a wonderful mommy to her little loves, Katie and Christopher. I miss having her at work every day, just because we had fun together. Yes, through some tough days at work, we managed to have fun, or at least throw an encouraging word each others way. She visited us a few weeks ago with little Christopher, and he is just too cute for words! On this post, I'm including some pictures from her Baby Shower @ work. Love and friendship, Michelle!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Aida

Last week my family and I celebrated my Grandmother, Aida's, 82nd birthday. I never remember how old my grandmothers are, and when I asked her how old she would be this year, she responded, "84." That didn't seem right to me. We had just celebrated her 80th birthday not too long ago, but definitely not four years ago! So, I asked my aunt, and she confirmed my thoughts. Grandma was to be 82 this year.

This year's celebration took place at my aunt's house. Most of my cousins were there, but Ally was out of town, and we did miss having her there. The fiesta began with a bar-b-que. We all strolled in at different times, just because my family's schedule is always all over the place. Sure enough, though, we all got there and I know Grandma was delighted to be amongst her family. After eating way too much, and laughing very hard over the silliest things, we moved the party inside for singing and cake! Grandma really does not like to be the center of attention. Getting her to smile for a picture is a project in itself. However, it seemed as though she was at peace this time around, and just let the pictures snap away as she took it all in. I'll never know what was going through her head as we sang "Happy Birthday." Maybe she was praying, thanking God for another year of life, perhaps she was talking to my grandfather, wishing he was by her side, which I'm sure he was. Regardless, she just let it all happen without a fuss, and wore a smile.

I will forever love my grandmother. There are a few people who know what she truly means to me and my family. She is so wise, loving, prayerful and simply put, amazing. I do pray that God blesses her with many more years of life. She is our blessing.

I love you, Grandma. Always.

Random Evening Thoughts

There is so much on my mind, I wouldn't even know where to begin writing. We have 16 days left of this school year. It's been quite a year, but I will save that for a later blog. The camp season is quickly approaching, and that's definitely at the forefront of my mind. I did as well as I had hoped to in the class that just finished. That was the highlight of my week! And now, I just have so many other things to think about and sort through, I just have to take it "one step at a time," and hope things get figured out. I have a feeling June is going to fly by. The first week is nearly over, and I have a jam packed weekend planned. Being busy usually makes the time fly by. I look forward to August 6th, which is the last day of camp, and my summer will actually begin. I'll need a week or so of just quiet. The thoughts of this blog are very random, which I suppose is how I feel tonight. Kind of all over the place. I did have the best time/dinner with Sue and Gid. Being with them always keeps me laughing and smiling; even long after we've said good-bye. They are wonderful friends and people! Hopefully my next blog will be a bit more 'organized.'

May = One Busy Month!

So glad to see that I last wrote only 10 days ago. As I was running this evening, I started thinking about my blog, among other things, and I was certain my last entry was at the end of April. I thought, "How could that be?" In realty, that wouldn't have been so 'off' for me, since I haven't been on top of the blogging this year. That's probably because I always like to have pictures to include with my posts. Oh well! Next one!

May is nearly over, and I'm truly shocked. This month went by much too quickly, and thinking back on it, there was minimal drama in my life. That's always a good thing! ha! Perhaps it seemed to fly by because I was working nonstop on my final papers for the first two weeks of the month. Once my papers and class were finished, the next two weeks were all about graduation, after graduation, after graduation, along with Shannon's birthday, but I missed the party because of -- graduation, lol. Her next celebration was the day before a half-marathon, so I missed that one, too. Sorry, Shan! Three very special people reached this amazing accomplishment, and I could not be happier for them! My sister, Marisel, our aunt, Mildred, and my cousin, Bethany all graduated within last two weeks. Now they will be on their way to bigger and better things! We celebrated everyone's day differently, and each event was special in it's very own way!

Now it's Memorial Day weekend. I sit here shaking my head wondering where every day has gone. Part of me wishes I wrote daily, like in a journal, just to truly reflect. When the weekend is over, it'll be June...and there will be 19 more days of school a.k.a. work. Then camp begins... Time is moving too quickly. I think it's time I stop and smell the roses, cherish the moments, and really take things in. That's my plan for June. : )

Nighttime Rituals

At 11:15 p.m. I'm already 45 minutes 'late' for bed. It's important that I get 8-9 hours of sleep each night, or else I'm not as functional as I'd like to be the next day. Today was a long one, which turned into an even longer night. After work and a run, my family and I celebrated Titi Mildred's birthday. The time together was entertaining, as always. I really didn't mind getting home later than usual. What I mind is that I'm still awake. If I didn't have to do ALL the things I do before getting to sleep, I wouldn't still be up. Really, though, the things I MUST do before bed (besides washing up) are: get a cup of water to have on the night table, make sure the door is locked, the closets are closed and the shower curtain has been pulled open. Those are my nightly rituals. However, they shouldn't have me up til 11:15. Then I stopped to really think about WHY I'm still awake. Perhaps the phone call with my friend, Cathy, added to my 'late' night, or the straightening of my mane (a.k.a. my hair); maybe it was reading up on people's Facebook or my friend's blogs. All I know is that as I was straightening the shower curtain, I thought, "I do this every night...why?" In reality, my 'nighttime rituals' aren't SO important. They are funny to think about, if anything, but they are part of me...and my silliness...and I guess that's what makes them OK.