If You Blink You Will Miss It...

There are certain events that occur such as death, or birth of a baby, that change your life forever. It seems that moreso in the loss of a loved one is when we tend to take the time to step back and remember. It is then we realize how much we appreciate what we have. Why is that? Maybe it's where I live and the fact that everyone here is always in a rush. Constantly on the go. Stressed out over life situations. In fact... My sister in law and I went to a store today to look for something. We told the cashier we were in a rush. His response: "Everyone in NJ is always in a rush. I just moved here, and everyone is just moving way too fast." To that I almost responded... "I take it you haven't visited NYC yet." But I didn't. I said it was my company's fault for not giving a long enough lunch period, hence the need to rush. His comment of course striked up conversation for the ride back to work. He's absolutely right. We talked about how certain states/atmospheres create a different feeling. But unfortunately there are only certain events that occur that really make us stop and think about the things that are most important to us.

Tomorrow marks one year that a friend of ours passed away. He passed away two weeks before our wedding. He was the first person to respond. He continually talked about how much he couldn't wait for our wedding. His death was sudden and unexpected. Ryan was 29 years old. I have since reached out to his mother, and know that she is hurting so badly inside. She emailed me last month telling me that she was beside herself knowing that July was on its way. I've thought about him and his family constantly today. But it just got me thinking about the things that are going on in my life.

I've been so stressed for various reasons. There are things going on within my personal life and work life that just keep pulling me in various directions. My head feels like it's spinning out of control sometimes and all I feel like I can do is cry. (And I've got the zits to prove it) I pray about it all constantly. I really just want to feel relaxed and I know that it is all in God's hands. I know that what is meant to be, will be... yet I have these feelings and thoughts that are constantly weighing me down. Why is it that I just can't appreciate what I have in life? When ever I say my prayers the first thing I do is thank God for all that I am, all that I have, and everyone I love. I wish I could just push that negativity out of my mind.

My point of all of this is that it seems like when someone we care about passes away... that's when people truly appreciate what they have and those around them. Why does it take something like that to bring out such gracious feelings? In an attempt to be positive I will end with this....

I am a very fortunate person. I have a roof over my head. An amazing husband. Two very devoted pups. A job that pays the bills. I still have my brothers and my parents in my life, as well as my in laws. I have truly amazing friends. I truly am blessed. So now the trick is to figure out how to concentrate on what I have so I can stop dwelling on what I don't have or what I want...

A Layout I'm finally happy with!!

Wow.... after hours and hours of playing around with html codes, 880px, left side bars....etc.... I have FINALLY gotten my blog to look the way I want it to! Hallelujah!!!! I owe it all thanks to http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com

Phew! Without that site and their very detailed instructions as to how to customize my layout, I never would've been able to get it done!

Nice work over there!!!

Thank you kindly!

Happy 4th everyone!!!