Looking Forward...To Looking Back

"The modeling by people that we love is what changes us"..

Soo I din't keep up with this blog as I intended..I was hoping to write one for Christmas and a seperate one for New Years.. I guess honestly..I was having to much fun and my giant to do list grew and grew. Usually writing is an outlet for me- I should have been on here sooner... So I will have to collaborate this blog into a culmination of the past few holidays...but really a reflection on the past year. So 2010 is gone...and will never return again..and neither will the age of 27 which is what I currently am now. I use to think growing up was a bad thing...honestly I did everything to go "against the grain" of being an adult- I will always be that way alittle, I'm a child at heart. But this last year- I can really say I feel all grown up and I am ready for stages I never thought I would come to- it has taken me awhile to get here and accept it... So this last year was pretty great. Summer was too...I must say..Although I worked over the summer as a learning support teacher- I had had plenty of time to travel...and I got to really spend time in my new house making it a home...I have accomplished many things that I thought I never would this last year.. In May I received my M.A. of Education...I worked with challanging students this summer that taught me alot..Last January and February I enjoyed many snow days with Jameson- we built an igloo and had some snowy walks. I can remember staying in watching movies on snowy chilly nights as my hair was "defrosting"... In April I spent my first Easter away from home in Florida!! It was great to be somewhere differnt..Berks Countys luster is getting old-if it ever had one lol In early June...I went to Brams (Jamesons Brother) Naval Academy Graduation in Annapolis...There was nothing quit like it, it is something I will never forget...all I saw was patches of white spanning great distances...the men were in great numbers-It was a day to be proud. Over 4th of July we took a short trip to Annapolis again..We watched fireworks over the Annapolis Harbor...it was beautiful and amazing...I loved the sight of boats, water and crowds of people celebrating-We had SO MUCH FUN!
June shortly rolled around and we had been anticipating a summer vacation with Eastvale to Dewey Beach...We could not wait! Proof: We were the first ones to arrive- sitting in the grass waiting to see which car would pull up next...there were a total throughout the week of about 15 or so people...and a fabulous time we had. Some highlights I will never forget!-The moment Jameson proposed on the beach..late evening..with an aquamarine ring that knocked my socks off!!! We celebrated that night- it was a celebration indeed!! Another evening we had a dressed up outing where the group took a trip to a delish seafood restraunt...Nights out dancing at Starbird and The Cork and Barrel..Hanging out on the huge deck and jumping in the hottub ( only later to find it wasen't working at all, it became chilly and cloudy towards the end of the week) Lastly I will remember "Feastvale and our big Breakfast Day" and the night we all went around sharing what we loved the most about our trip and our friendships...It truely was unforgettable....Labor Day weekend came quick and so another trip ensued...we went to Boston!! We spent the weekend with the Terenzoni family! We had a fun time hanging out, swimming, eating, and being silly ...Shippin up to Boston is Great!! and so is the family ...In August we decided to go with two good friends on a trip to New Jersey camping... It was hot hot hot! Thankfully the campground had a pool....What I remember most about this trip was the late night campfires, all the places we visited and toured...the countless pictures I took..and really great late night talks around the fire..The camper was awesome, Boo Boo even strung lights around it!! In November over Thanksgiving break we headed back down to Florida... I had one of the best Thanksgivings I can remember in a looong time.. The week was packed with fun and the Beates house was full!! All the siblings were home :-) Some highlights I will remember: of course the delicious meal cooked up on Thanksgiving- and I had cranberry ice for the first time. I loved it!! I don't like cranberry sauce..and this was sooo much better... Bram,Abby,Jameson and I went to a Orlando Magic Game! Very Fun! One night we also had a campfire out in the driveway-roasted smores hung out and talked- it was really great! We had heard back in PA it started to snow- the weather there was around 80 the whole week...( I was in love) I remember playing darts with Papa Beates, Jameson, and Mama Beates on the front porch late at night- good times... I also remember a Christmas shopping outing with the ladies and decorating the beautiful Florida home with Abby and Mama Beates... So December..the month was beautiful inside and out! Highlights!!! Jameson and I decorated a beautiful tree- we collected ornaments and received some in the mail from Mama Beates...I thought the tree would fall over it was so packed with ornaments, lights, and other things.. We found the coolest lights ever that faded into color combinations ( I can't lie- we loved the tree we decorated so much-it's actually still up!!) But what was really cool- we couldn't find a star for the top for a long time- so we finally decided to create our own star and weave our own lights into it! It was perfect! We shopped online for presents and in the stores :-) I was even out on Christmas Eve ....still shopping! Both of us love Christmas so much- that two weeks up until- we watched various Christmas movies, played Christmas music, and wrapped presents... Christmas Eve had finally arrived...it was amazing and relaxing... we decided we would make it memorable and special and start some of our own traditions..in the chilly cold night we walked to a 7pm church service..we had a great time bundled up..and I was looking forward to a candle light silent night service ( Thanks to Liz and Dain for having us)...once we got home we cooked a seafood dinner!! ( We got some of our favorites from Adelphia- Crab legs,baby clams,shrimp,and lobster tail!! ) We even made a salad and Jameson suprised me with some rreeeally good wine :-) The funny part was we had never made a seafood dinner before, but thanks to Google and some determination- it was perfect! We ended the evening with a gift exchange and polar express!! Christmas Day!!! It had finally arrived! Highlights- Receiving awesome gifts such as...new punky sneakers and a beautifl bracelet from Jeb and me giving him his Taylor Swift guitar picks and special "heart" card...along with an art project I had been designing for months... That day we went to Grammys House and Aunt Lisa's soooo much fun! Seeing all of my family together made me really appreciate them..that is really what makes the holidays great: Family...
As I look back at this year..I can smile :-) The year haden't always been easy...and there were some struggles here and there..but I can say it was certainly a "a good year to remember".. Life is funny you know.Life changes. One day you are here and one day you are there...The roads of life are winding and can throw you for a turn...but cruising on the interstate straight away sure does feel good...Having my own home sure does feel good... I finally got a new car this year as well..I had my last one for almost 10years...it feels funny sometimes driving in something new...it almost feels like it's not mine...but it is and she is here to stay...:-) She reminds me of a good year and a new leaf :-)
So at the moment my wedding is 5 months away and I couldn't be more thrilled!!! Although I am busy with 2jobs..designing the school play...and going back to college for an ad on cert ( Reading Specialist Cert) planning my wedding has been a "busy" thing that I really enjoy doing and the process is so much easier because my fiance is so involved... the truth is- I couldn't do it without him :-) I am looking forward to a greater year then last! I know it will be- I am getting married!! and so are 2 of my best friends.. but this year I do have a few New Years Resolutions and I made sure at least 2 weren't about me or for me...I will write about those at a later time...
So heres to the start of something good..Hers's to faceing lifes new challanges with patience,grace and love. Here's to being the best person you can be- because really in that should be what lifes about- How do you want people to remember you>?.... love others. It's not always easy- "to love things that may not be beautiful" but my parents taught me early on that this is the only way to love...who doesn't easily love what is beautiful... So if you make any New Years Resolution this year- make sure it includes 2 things...learn to love yourself more and the others that are around you.. Be slow to anger and slow to speak.. And by all means..Think Think Think before you do anything...Think about what is really best and necessary...It's not always about what you want..but what you need and what is smart...

On that note: Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! Make this one- one of the best!! T.