300th Post!!! Happier than Ever!!! Last Week of Being 24, What I've Learned & Thank You's!

This is my 300th post! Congrats to this blog! -SL :)

One Week Left of Being 24....

So I've been talking a lot lately about me turning 25!!! And while I've been talking about it for months now, it's almost here!!! I can't believe it! I'll be 25 just ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!! That obviously means, I only have one week left of being 24!!!! So, I'm going to be sure and say "24," if anyone asks my age, 'cause seven days from now, I'll never be able to say "I'm 24" again!

Yay God!

I need to make this post and then let the year go! I've already let a lot go this year! Lots, no, tons of crap and habbits and even painful experiences that I no longer needed! I cleaned out and cleared out my home (somewhat, still have a long way to go with that one, but who doesn't?), and my mind! So, for the last time, here's my thoughts/feelings about being 24 and the year 2008:


I'm a positive person, don't get me wrong! But, this year, well, it's been tough! And quite frankly, I'm glad it's coming to a close! The lessons I've learned; about others, relationships, love, myself, etc, etc, etc...I'll carry with me always! This is not a year I'd do again, but it's also not a year I'd trade for the world! I needed to experience every moment of every thing that I did this year! And I'm really happy that I did! Most of all, I learned that marriage is tough but worth it, life ain't perfect but it's worth it, life itself is absolutely and completely unpredictable, nothing is ever what it seems (good, bad or indifferent) and the only person you can truly change (seriously) is yourself! If you want a better partner/friend/parent, whatever, you have to be one! And most importantly, I learned that I am so incredibly much stronger than I ever thought I was!!! And no matter what, this woman will ALWAYS land on her feet; someway, somehow!!! (And only with the Grace of God!)

I could not have gotten through this year without my beloved family & dear, dear friends! You all saved by butt so many times this year; you have no idea! Just by listening (endlessly, I know), caring, encouraging and supporting me (in all my crazy ups & downs)! By loving me and advising me and just plain putting up with me---you helped tremendously! And I thank you, each and every single one of you, for it!!! :) You are all awesome people who totally rock and make my life easier, better and richer! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

This year, I also learned that I will no longer apologize for who I am and what I'm about! I have my beliefs and morals and values, and everyone is different! I am more than happy to agree to disagree with someone, but I will no longer say "I'm sorry," for something I believe in! No way! We all have every right to believe whatever it is that we do; I completely respect that right and embrace it, and I reccomend others do the same!

I learned that miracles, in everyday life, can and do happen! I've always known that, but this year, I've seen the evidence in ways I've not seen it before! (At least on this side of the hospital walls, or perhaps I just wasn't looking, but I digress) I once came up with the phrase that "miracles happen regardless of past circumstnaces or expected outcomes," (or something like that) and I totally believe that to be true!

My miracles this year included my Colin & me! Our ups and downs and struggles and triumphs and coming together again and again and again--always working it out and rising above our own pettiness....that is very much a miracle in my life and I thank God for it, and for Colin, every day! My Colin is a constant reminder of love and acceptance and commitment! He is my teacher and my student and most of all, my absolute love!!! The journey with him has been paved with diamonds and hard knocks but there's no other road I'd rather be walking on than the one I'm walking with him!

My miracles also included my mother; that woman is still one of the strongest, hardest-working souls I've ever known, along with one of the most generous! And regardless of our own mother/daughter bullcrap that's gone on between us this year, I love and adore her! And I still have the highest respect and admiration for her! I really do! The fact that she's alive and breathing and making every effort to improve her life, I am so proud!

All of our grandparents (mine & Colin's) had surgeries this year and of course it's a miralce that they're all alive and well and recovering nicely! Thank God for that! We cannot imagine our lives without them! What a gift they are and a wonderful addition to our family! :)

My seeing my friends this year was also a miracle! Miss Tessa & Miss Claudia; my very best girlfriends and gal pals who inspire me and support me every day! They are my lifelines and I certainly coudln't do this crazy life without them! Woudln't want to either!

Sarah, also, my good friend who recently moved to TN...:(, although I'm sad to see her go, I fully support her and her husband's need to get the heck out of Vegas (can't blame them at all, really)! I'll miss her, but her place in my life this year has also been immeasurable and I wish them all the luck and goodness in the world!

All of my MySpace friends/acquaintances who also help me keep my sanity; some of you, I know better than others, but all of you, I cherrish!

My mother-in-law, a true angel who is the best M-I-L a girl could ever ask for! And no, I'm not saying that to kiss up, she is honestly one of my favorite people ever and I'm blessed have her in my life, along with her unyielding love & support, and of course, I'm incredibly blessed to be able to share her (oldest) son! (He's my favorite guy, you know!)

Miss Erica, what a Saint she is! Kept me sane and calm in the midst of true craziness and ugliness and words cannot thank her enough! Always in my heart and my prayers, that girl, I love her to pieces!

Actually, everyone mentioned here in this entry kept me calm(er) and sane during some truly crazy odd times this year! It really has been full of ups & downs!

I learned that friends are so vitally important and are a real lifeline in the midst of chaos! I also learned who my real friends are--and that's good to know!

Back to miracles:

My dad and I, our closer relationship and the fact that we talk and truly converse now more often than ever before, that's a miracle too! I also thank God for that, and him, every day!

Getting to go home for the holidays this year (in a few days actually) is a miracle too! And the ability to experience the love and joy that can only come from family & friends--that's always a miracle too!!!

So, even though it's been a tough year; although no one died, lost their home or ended up in the hospital for an extended period of time (including me!), it's been rough! But, it's been wonderful and incredible and beautiful and ultimately, eventful and one heck of a teacher!!!

I'm enormously proud of my family, my friends and myself! And I give all the glory and joy, strength and happiness I'm feeling today to the Lord! The world is absolutely crazy and infuriating and sometimes completely senseless; but God is good and life is grand! And it's a gift to be cherrished and felt truly and fully, each and every day!

I'm happy to report that I am sincerely the happiest I've ever been! And it's not because things are perfect (there's plenty that could be better/different; but there's even more that could be worse and thank God it's not!), it's because I have myself back! I have that sense of joy, wonder and optimism back! Along with a healthy dose of reality and admittedly, lots of unknowns, but for the first time ever, that's OKAY too!!! I've battled myself this year, I've battled depression, family, illness (myself), the illnesses of others, money, the job market, my man, my mother...you name it, and I've come out of it all, on top, stronger and happier than ever!

So, here's to a very Happy Birthday to me and to a new age and new year that I can FEEL is going to be great!!! I'm sure it won't be "easy," I'm sure tears will be shed for a variety of different reasons (happy ones on my wedding day though!), I'm sure, no, I KNOW, I'll learn a lot more in the coming year and every one after that! But, I can feel it in my soul, turning and being 25, and 2009, well, it's going to be just fabulous!

More importantly than myself though, I must wish Jesus a very Happy Birthday too! I thank Him and God for Their mercy, kindness, goodness, love and grace! It is through Him which all things are possible! He is the ultimate miracle maker and I am happy to be His student, learning and growing in love thorugh it all!!! Thank you for it all, sincerely, for every single bit of it, good, bad and indifferent, I thank you, Lord!

Here's, also, to a very Merry Christmas to everyone out there! I know times are tough, money is tight and the world as a whole, is kind of sucky right now, but go within yourself, dig deep, breathe deeply, look for the lesson and the beauty and SMILE!!! It's Christmas! God wants us to be happy, joyful and strong! Like I said in my last entry, I sincerely hope you and yours have a holiday filled with peace and love and a year ahead full of more of the same, and lots of health as well!!!

God Bless Us Everyone!

In Light N' Love,

-Sarah Liz :)