The Journey Begins

This Christmas was one of the happiest I have had in many years. We were able to provide some awesome gifts for our children, family and friends. The fact is we did so without using any credit!

Christmas morning is different now the kids are not little, but this is not a bad thing. Now that they are older, they get excited about us opening our gifts from them and from each other. This was no different this Christmas.

My son Joey gave me and Emily tickets to see "Legally Blonde the Musical" at the Kennedy Center. Even though I knew about the gift, it was a wonderful surprise for Emily and we had an awesome time.

Emily made me a CD in which she created herself. She recorded dual tracks of herself playing Josh Groban's "Believe" with her trombone and she sang the song. She added pictures of me when I was a little girl and through the years, each of my kids through the years, and finished it off with a wonderful dedication thanking me for being her mother.

Christina made me a Picture Book entitled "Our Wedding Story". She gathered pictures from our wedding album and with the help of my best friend Robin, was able to name and label each picture. Since we never did have larger than snapshot pictures done from our wedding, this was a fabulous gift.

Of course, I spent a good part of the day crying each time I looked at my gifts. I also made up my mind it was time to do something about the me I have become. For the most part, I am extremely happy with myself and my life. Seeing the pictures of the me from way back when made me realize I want that me back. I don't want to be as thin as I was in 1986 - but I need to be healthy. I need to be able to stand without pain during church. I need to be able to walk all day in an amusement park with my family. I need to be able to run and play with all of my nieces, nephews and someday - many years from now - with my grandchildren. I am tired of missing out on the fun the family is having because I need to sit and rest.

I was encourage and inspired by Marissa - Cindy's friend - to begin this journey and to document it. Marissa thank you for your inspiration! Cindy thank you for your love!

I ask all of you to keep me in your prayers and to check back often for updates on my journey.

Life is not a spectator sport - It is time for me to stop watching life pass me by.