Just a Note..

Dearest Bryan,

I am in complete and total awe that it has been five years since you left this earth. It seems like yesterday and 100 years ago at the same time. I remember so many details and forget so much at the same time.
I don't wake up thinking of you and go to bed thinking of you anymore. I packed away my picture frames and put my scrapbooks in a drawer somewhere. A stranger wouldn't find you in my house, but I want you to know that you are always here in my heart.
Sometimes I worry that Matt will get angry or hurt that I still think of you often, but I hope he understands how instrumental you were in changing my life and in turn, leading me to Matt.
I didn't understand my self-worth... I don't even think I believed I had self-worth... Lots of terrible relationships taught me a lot that I never processed... until you.
I wish I could see you just one more time... to explain to you how thankful I am for you being in my life... how thankful I am for the short time we had together... how much everything you taught me meant to me... and how happy I am now... Some people asked me if I was angry that God took you from me... and I was at first... but I think it was meant to be. I think God knew he was going to need you, but that I needed you first... I don't think it ever would have lasted with us... it wasn't meant to be... You were meant to lead me to the end of my broken road.. to show me what I deserved...I thank you for leading me to the end of my broken road and to Matt.
You'll always have a special place in my heart.

Merry Christmas

Baby Livi's Christening

Happy First Birthday, Finnegan!

Cutting the Tree 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

Just a quick little note about what I'm thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day...
*my amazingly strong and supportive family
*my wonderfully loving and caring fiance
*my phenomenal friends who have been there for me for as long as I can remember
*my strange little puppy and how happy he makes me feel
*my house which has become our home
*my job which provides me with laughs and frustrations, intellectual conversations, and the ability to make it week to week
*my health and happiness, and the health and happiness of those around me.
*my experiences, both positive and negative
*my faith, my beliefs, my morals & values.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Old & New Traditions: Friendsgiving

Every year, one of my favorite get-togethers happens around this time. Since before I met Matt, his group of friends has gotten together each year around Thanksgiving to hold a tradition they call Friendsgiving. It's a time for the friends to get together and have their (our) own Thanksgiving dinner with our "other" family.

This year, I planned one for my group of high school friends. I hope it carries on each year. It's nice to know that at least (hopefully more) once per year, the whole group of us can get together with our significant others and eventually our families so that we can remember to be thankful for everything we have. Here's to traditions - new and old.

Pumptoberfest 2010

Another successful Pumptoberfest! Can't wait 'til next year!

Andi, Marissa, Diane, Mariel, & I in the apple orchards

Al in the pumpkin patch

The Leonard family in the corn maize

Mariel, Jon, Paul, Marissa, Andi, Mia, & Diane in the Maize

Matt, hiding in the corn

Carving Pumpkins


Dahla chasing darts

Not quite the turnout of last year, but there's always next year!

Merrymeetting Lake

Matt, Finn, and I were lucky enough to get away for a night up to New Hampshire with Matt's parents & his sister Corey. Finn took his first swim in the lake. Matt, Corey, and I visited Meredith at the stables & went horseback riding. It was a nice little getaway.

Are we there yet?


On the boat

Fishing

Finn tries swimming with Daddy

Diane & Corey canoeing with Jack

Matt & Jack

Horseback Riding

Corey

Corey, the Horse Whisperer

First Sox Game Together!

Kodak Moments: Finn Meets Layla

Our very close friends Beth and Derek got a puppy yesterday from a shelter in Tennessee. Her name is Layla, and she is adorable! Finn and Layla are going to be the best of friends. I know it!

Kodak Moments

As much as I love Christmastime, coming home to this "snow" was not so fabulous.

Best Surprise Ever!

Matt and I went to the UFC Fight Expo with Rey & Tina yesterday at the Hines Convention Center. I hoped that Chuck Liddell would notice me while I was there and pull me out of the crowd but somehow, he didn't see me! Regardless, Matt and I did get to take our picture inside the octagon! Better yet, when we came home, I found that I have the most fantastic fiance in the world, and he threw me an amazing surprise 27th birthday party. I was completely blown away. I went down to the basement to get something out of the freezer and about fifty people were in my basement.
I have to thank my friends and family for helping Matt with the planning and for keeping their mouths shut and not letting it slip for the six weeks he planned it! It was so fabulous to have so many important people there for me. For those that were there for me, I can't tell you how much it meant to me to have each and every one of you there with me! Thank you!

Me & Joshy - my bestest since Kindergarten!
Di, Jax, Riche, & I
Cassidy
Sam definitely gets the award for traveling the farthest in one night!
Langs, Joshy, Mel, Cole, Di, & Mike
UFC
Me & Cole

Joshy, Cole, & Jax: Typical Party Animals