Valentines Day

What a fun day. I love all of the parties that Melissa gets to have in preschool. All of the kids in her class are so cute. She has great friends.  They decorated their own cupcakes and ate them along with a fancy sugar cookie that Melissa thought was the greatest because it had the tiniest sugar hearts sprinkled on them. 

Valentines Day was way too crazy though. I spent most of the day preparing for the preparedness fair. I made batch after batch of pumpkin soup, mom and steph made about a million pumpkin cookies, and I made a fancy poster with my new Cricut machine and I made handouts that I still have a ton of left. It was fun though. I'm glad it's over, it was a good turnout. Time to plan the next activity. 

Melissa gave me a Valentine, but I think she has eaten most of it. She gave me  a card and a little ceramic container with chocolates in it. Dad took her to the Dollar store and helped her pick everything out. It was very sweet of them. I loved it. Anyway, as hard as Valentines Day is for me, I enjoyed this year. I was busy, all my family was very thoughtful, (Thanks for my favorite candy, Steph) and I really didn't think about missing Joe until I sat down that night and remembered our first Valentine's Day together. What a sweet memory I have of him. It is one of my favorite.

Special Olympics

The torch for the Special Olympics came to Hawthorne Elementary. It was really cool! The kids cheered so loud for them all and sang a beautiful song that made everybody cry. It was amazing. All Melissa could talk about was "Special Olymkus"  She took Steve's Gold and 2 silver medals from Special Olympics to her class for show and tell. I personally enjoyed watching Melissa talk to them afterwards and watching Madisyn give her paper torch to one of the athletes.  It was a really cool program. I've been looking everywhere for the special olympics blue and white scarves, but they are no where to be found. They went quick. I was lucky, my friend Shannon decided to give me hers, so I have one now. Gotta love the Special Olympics!!

My 30th Birthday

I think this birthday has been one of the most memorable birthdays of my life. I really spoiled myself as well as have a good time with my family. It has really made me reflect on where I've come in the last 30 years. I've done a lot of growing and made a lot of mistakes, but for what I've done and experienced I would say I've found happiness. I know that sounds weird for someone who has lost a husband to cancer, watched family members suffer with different situations, and is raising a child without her dad. Nonetheless, I am happy and find joy every day in the midst of all the stress.  I try every day to look for the positive and avoid complaining about every little thing that gets to me. Notice the key word there, TRY!!, it doesn't always work, but when I do I have a pleasant day, and I have more patience with Melissa. 

I hope that my next 30 years are just as full of joy as my first 30 years. I know things are going to happen that are hard to deal with, but you just deal with it and put a smile on your face. If you can't control it, there is no reason to complain.

I am so thankful for my family, they are amazing. I love serving them and hanging out with them. They are my best friends!! They put the biggest smile on my face. I'm one of those people who look forward to family reunions in any way, shape, or form. Yeah, sometimes there is drama, but who doesn't have it occasionally. I'm learning that how you react is half the battle!! I'm still working on it. It's a good thing I'm not perfect, that gives me another 30 years to work on things right!!