Happy New Year!

I say the same thing every time around this time of year... "where has the year gone?" It's hard to believe that 2012 is over already. And what a year it's been! It was an amazing year for us, culminating in the most amazing way... with the birth of our daughter. Who could ask for more? We're all healthy and happy and that's it doesn't get any better than that.

As I reflect on this year, I think about a lot of things. Being pregnant (obviously), and the ups and downs that come with that. I remember like it was yesterday the day I took the pregnancy. I woke Jay up early in the morning and told him that the pregnancy test "thought" I was pregnant. To this day he has not let me live that down and probably never will. As he says, "either you're pregnant or you're not." Sometimes those at-home pregnancy tests are wrong! But not this time!

It was a great year at work. I have an incredible team that I work with, and that makes my job so much easier each and every day. It's not very often that people can say that they have great co-workers, a wonderful boss, and a truly good organization or company that they work for. But I do, and I'm really lucky. I'm looking forward to what 2013 has to offer.

I made the (crazy) decision to run for city council and lo-and-behold, I was elected. What a trip that has been so far. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be an elected official, and I definitely don't want to make a career out of it, but it's been pretty good so far. I love Clear Lake Shores and I want to help make this little slice of paradise a better place to live. Hopefully that's what I'm doing.

Do you make new year's resolutions? I find that they just set me up for failure, so I usually don't. I just look forward to what the upcoming year has to bring, and I know this year will be even better! Overall, I have no regrets from 2012. How could I?! I hope you all had a great 2012 as well. I wish you a prosperous and healthy 2013, and I hope all your wishes come true!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Merry ho ho!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. I have the best present of all this year and I couldn't ask for anything more. May your Christmas Day be blessed with love and family. I hope Santa was good to you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Merry ho ho!

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. I have the best present of all this year and I couldn't ask for anything more. May your Christmas Day be blessed with love and family. I hope Santa was good to you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

One month

It's hard to believe that our daughter arrived in our lives one moth ago today. When people told us to enjoy it now because time flies, they weren't kidding! Where did the time go?!?! We've loved every second of it, and continue to each day.

It seems like just yesterday. I remember that day like it was yesterday. And hopefully I will remember it just like that for the rest of my life. I'll be honest... I was a bit fearful of the labor and delivery part. I had no idea what to expect. And for those of you that know me, you know I don't deal well with pain. So I was a nervous wreck. I worked myself up into a tizzy several times, and for what? Nothing, really. It was no where near the dreadful experience that I had thought up in my head. And I'd do it all over again to have the precious gift that we have now. A beautiful baby girl.

It's amazing, and truly a blessing, to become a parent. Some days I still can't grasp the reality of it. It's something I've dreamed of for so long, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would feel like this. I'm sure there are going to be days when I just want to crawl under a rock and hide, but so far, it really has been the greatest experience of my life. It's life changing, no doubt about it. And I wouldn't change it for anything.

Why?

Unless you're living under a rock, you know about the tragic shootings that happened today in Newtown, Connecticut. My thoughts and prayers go out to the parents and families of the victims, the first responders who witnessed an absolutely horrific event, and the entire city. I can't even fathom what they are going through. It makes my heart ache and brings tears to my eyes. And it makes me ask why? Why do these shootings continue to happen? What is wrong with these people? And don't tell me it's because of guns. Guns don't kill people. People kill people. I'm a supporter of our right to bear arms. But I think we need to have some sensible gun control in place. We must have some sensible gun control in place. I'm not saying that's the answer... if someone wants to get a gun and go shoot up a school, mall, movie theater, church, night club, or whatever, they will. They will find a way to get a gun, no matter what kind of gun control is in place. I hate to say that, but I think it's true. So banning guns is not the answer. But it's not just guns. Consider what happened in China today... someone injured more than 30 children with a knife. Does that mean we're going to ban knives? I think not.

What happened today in Newtown, Connecticut is unthinkable. As the governor of Connecticut said today, "Evil visited our community." That guy (and no, I'm not going to mention his name... he doesn't deserve that) who senselessly killed 20 young kids and six of their teachers today is evil. But even more he's a coward for taking his own life. We may never know why he did what he did today. And honestly, I don't know that I want to know.

As a new parent, all I wanted to do today was to hold my daughter tight and never let go. And I did a lot of that this afternoon while my heart ached for the parents and families of those 20 innocent little kids who lost their lives today. Those kids will never have the chance to grow up and live their dreams, all because of some crazy idiot who did the unthinkable.

So if you haven't already, hug your kids and loved ones a little tighter tonight. Unfortunately, you never know when it might be the last time. And please say a prayer for the families, first responders, and entire Newtown, Connecticut community. I know I will do both.

It's a girl!

This post has been a long time coming. Sorry! Jay and I welcomed a baby girl into our lives three weeks ago today, and she is absolutely precious. She has completely stolen our hearts! This is probably the most you'll see posted about her on this blog. I'm not posting her name or any pictures, and don't go looking for anything on Facebook because you won't see them there either. We don't want that information online... if she wants to do Facebook when she's old enough, then that is up to her, but we're not going to post her name or any photos online. And we've asked our family and friends to respect this and do the same. So don't go looking for pictures of her on any of their Facebook pages either... just ask my dad... even he doesn't get to post pictures of her on Facebook!

What I will talk about on this blog, however, is how amazing it is to be a mom. Yes, as you moms out there know, it's a lot of work, but it is totally worth it. I am excited to watch her grow up and to see the person she is going to become. She definitely has her own personality already, and I can't wait to see how that develops as she gets older.

The thing I have enjoyed the most over these past three weeks is watching Jay with her. He is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. I have fallen in love with him all over again. That is a feeling I can't describe. It gives me chills just thinking about it. There are moments when I see them together that bring tears to my eyes because it is so incredibly sweet. He is so in love with her, and you can see it all over his face. It's pretty awesome.

So that's the latest on the baby front. I could go on and on, but I won't bore you with details. Just know that mom, dad, and baby are all doing well. We're adjusting to each other and our new life, and enjoying every second along the way!