A New Year... 2010!!!

Time is counting down and we only have 3 hours and 30 minutes left of the year 2009. This was a long yet short year, it is hard to explain. I am ready to say goodbye to this year yet I am afraid to let go for I do not know what the future year holds.

2009 started off partying out at a dance club that Simon works at and I danced the night away.
March was an interesting month, We got a BIG unexpected snow storm with the prettiest, fluffiest, white snowflakes that I have not seen since I lived in New Hampshire. It was truly beautiful!

Money got tight this year with Simon loosing his job and eventually we did not have money for our house. We left our house, the only house we've ever had, the house we came home from our honeymoon too and its gone. We moved into Simon's parents basement which is nice. It is like a mini apartment. We have a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and a bedroom. It is all that we need but its sad to leave our old life to this new one. I still cry because I want "our home" back. I guess its a growing experience. Without Simon loosing his job, he never would have went back to school. He graduated with his EMT license in December and he is currently looking for a job. He hopes to join a fire department and eventually go to school for a paramedic license and then maybe go onto nursing. I am so proud of him. He always said he would NEVER go to college, and look at him, he loves what he is doing. I'm glad hes happy.

My job is going great. I recently had my one year anniversary at The Little Gym in Snellville where I am an gymnastics instructor. Its a great job, but now I am conflicted with the choice of going back to school. Do I go back to UGA to finish my Education degree or do I go to broadcasting school? My mind cant choose!

In September I was able to volunteer and help my church with a project that was a very BIG success. It was called The99, The 99 is a walk-through theater that graphically reenacts the five leading causes of death in teenagers and young adults. Many of these deaths are influenced by drugs or alcohol and a vast majority of them can be avoided. I had the privilege of being a part of something great, a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am proud to say I was a great experience. I also helped the church with the Up-Wards cheerleading program. I was the Lead Coach, and my girls were amazing! I was able to challenge them and they looked great at every game and when we performed for the congregation one Sunday; I am very proud of them.

Simon and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary in November, next year is the BIG one! Five years- wow! I cant believe how fast these years have gone by!
Sadness hit the family in December when Simon's cousin, Lily, lost her baby in her ninth month of pregnancy and Little baby Evelyn (Evie) Naomi Bilsland was born into the arms of Jesus. The Bilsland family will never know how much love is around them and I know there is nothing I can physically do to change the situation but I can pray and be a good friend and cousin to them. They are great parents and its amazing to see their faith through all of this- they give me hope and inspire me to be a good person and to grow in my faith.

As you can see, 2010 has its ups and its downs but its time to start a new!

A new decade will begin, and its interesting because that means that I am getting old. This is the first real decade i will really remember.
I remember living in New Hampshire and the Y2K scare as we entered 2000.
I remember moving to Georgia.
I remember high school: friends, cheerleading, meeting Simon.
I remember September 11, 2001- being in 11th grade and sitting at lunch not realizing we weren't talking about a movie.
I remember graduating.
I remember becoming engaged and getting married.
I remember the shuttle exploding coming back to Earth.
I remember the start of American Idol.
I remember becoming an Aunt to my nephew and niece.
I remember learning to drive and getting my license.
I remember college.
I remember turning 21.
I remember death of Michael Jackson.
I remember Hurricane Katrina.
I remember the Tsunami that hit Indonesia at Christmas.
I remember mourning over the deaths of Simon's great-granny, his Granny, and his cousin Evie.
I remember so many many many events these are just a few.

Good-Bye 2009, Good-Bye Millennium!
Hello new beginning!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!

Inspirational People

I often think of the people in my life and how they effect who I am, where I am, and why I do the things that I do. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason and I am just myself. But who would we be if we did not have others in our lives?

I have always heard people say "they are copying me!"; especially working with children everyday I hear this a lot. Instead of getting annoyed or mad at the person why do we not say "Thank You?!" Obviously we do not intentionally want to change who we are if we did not look up to someone, it is a complement when we want to dress like another, or talk like the other, or even trying to compose ourselves differently so that we attempt to be like those we look up to. In no way is it an insult, it is in fact a complement. But I am also BIG in the thought that we need to be ourselves.... so in some way I am mixed on my own views, I guess that is why I am still unsure who I am 100%.

There are also people around us that we look at them and listen to what they say or how they say it and we know that we DO NOT want to be like them since it rubs us the wrong way. It is very important that people think before they speak and how it will effect others around us or just be a total (you know what) and everyone will think your an idiot and not want to be around you!

So there are different ways that people can inspire us; either to improve or add to our own self being or so we know who we do not want to be like. I would love to know that I inspire people to be different or to do something, but I would like to know what I do that inspires people what not to do so I could work on that.

In another blog I may go further in detail about who I am thinking of and open up a little more about myself.

Christmas

We are already in the month of December. Its crazy how fast time flies the older I get; I still feel like Simon and I are newlyweds and we are already in our fourth year. It is unbelievable that we are to begin a new year so soon when we just welcomed 2009.

Although I never wish for time to fly bye, this is definitely my favorite time of the year. I love having the family together and listening to the Christmas music on the radio. The air is cool and crisp and the thought of snow is so exciting... even though here in Georgia it is very rare to have snow, just the thought makes me feel as though I am a child.

Christmas as a child is so magical and adventurous. The thought of Santa Clause coming down the chimney with presents in his bag was so exciting. I use to look for Rudolphs glowing nose out the car window and the mere thought of getting coal in the stocking and no presents ensured being good all year long so I wouldn't get on the naughty list.

Now that I do not get to sit on Santas lap or wake up in the morning to see what Santa left for me I am still just as excited because I began a new tradition 4 years ago as I am now a wife and I get to celebrate the birth of our Savior with the love of my life. There is no greater present than the love between a husband and wife and the Love we share with our God.

I can not wait until the day I get the chance of having a family of my own and seeing the look on their faces when they walk into our living room and see what Santa has brought them and to share with them the true meaning of Christmas and see their faith grow and the excitement fill thier hearts all throughout the season.

For now I get to enjoy the holiday with my Simons family and my family. I get the joy of watching my nephew, Dylan (almost 2), light up when he gets excited about seeing the Christmas Tree, the joy of spending the day with both of my grandmothers as I have the best Nanny's in the world, and I get the joy of seeing those I love together, laughing, and happy.

Although the happiness which fills our hearts during the Christmas Season we never forget the ones who have passed on and who have impacted our lives. My grandfather, My uncles, Simons grandmother, and others are all missed but are never forgotten; For the greatest gift of all was Jesus Christ and because of him we get the greatest gift of all- ETERNITY IN HEAVEN! And those who have left us have Christmas everyday!

I wish everyone has a Merry Christmas and that we all create new memories to go along with those of the past!
Merry Christmas, 2009!!!!