New Year, New Start

A good friend of mine recently emailed me and asked if I was ever going to write in my blog again. She said she keeps checking it to see if I have posted anything new only to find the same old dusty ramblings. Well it's a new year. And what better time to refresh a commitment to something than that? So, at a minimum I hope to take the time once a month to update you on the goings on in the Liedel household.

The Liedel household you ask? Well yes. A lot has happened since my last post. Rather then rehashing the past in great detail though, I will give you the Cliff Notes version.

1. Got Engaged.
2. Got Married.
3. Had an amazing honeymoon in Maui. (P.S. If you have the opportunity/means to go there - GO!)
4. Braxton celebrated his ONE year birthday. Already...

There were lots of other events in between but those were some personal highlights I wanted to mention. Now, onto 2011.

2011. A new year. A new start. New year's eve is always a time of reflection for me. Often I feel sad that another year has past and don't focus on the fact that, another year has in fact past. And while it brought with it it's frustrations and challenges, we lived it. And now, we have it as another chapter in our story of life. Lots of memories were made and lots of laughs were had. And we need to hang on to those positives and reflect on those when things may not be so rosy.

Unfortunately, those that know me, know that my dad is in the midst of a battle against a very non-discriminating, unsympathetic opponent - Cancer. And not one that reacts well to treatment either. He is battling Cholangiocarcinoma that has since spread from his bile duct, to liver, lungs and lymphnodes. We got this news last year with a very disheartening and scary prognosis. I have to say, hearing that news made me cling that much tighter to my son, my then boyfriend, now husband, my family, my friends and all of the moments I had with all of them.

When you get news like that is forces you to see the fact that you, and the ones you love the most, aren't on this Earth forever. You have got to treasure the time you have.

So, I have made somewhat of a new year's resolution to myself. I am going to focus on the positive. I am going to be accepting of the fact that I may, or may not get everything I want to in a day done. I am going to enjoy the happy moments I have, as big or small as they might be. And lastly, I am going to make some changes that I need to make, to make things better not only for myself, but my family as well. Knowing full well this will involve taking a risk, but without risk you can not have reward.

Well I have to end this post sooner then planned. To all - Happy New Year! May this post find you enjoying the good, coping and learning from the bad, and focused on the future. Remember, yesterday is just a wind at your back, but today is a treasured gift.

The New & Ever Improving Mrs. Liedel