Happy New Year, y’all!

Wow, I cannot believe 2013 is history. I still remember when we rang in the New Year last year.  

My husband and I barely made it to midnight awake. This year we spent the evening with our kids and friends and ended the night in front of the fireplace watching the ball drop. 

Everytime I write a blog post I keep thinking- stick to speech- that's what the readers want.
I think 2014 I'm ready to get personal- since there's more to every SLP than her job.
This is my first attempt of the year...

Our 2013 included some big fun and major milestones.  I'm so thankful for them all. 

1)  My husband and I traipsed all over NYC at the peak of Winter Storm Nemo.  Being from the south and barely ever getting a snow flurry, we had the time of our lives! 

2)  My son, Riley, turned 15, finished his freshman year with straight As and started to learn to drive (yikes!) Thanks to him we continued our new adventure as marching band parents. 

3) Shannon (my high school sweetheart and very best friend) and I celebrated 23 years of marriage. 

A friend took this picture of Shannon changing out my foot warmers at the 911 memorial (during the blizzard of the decade) Every girl deserves a man that will change her foot warmers and tie her shoes.  :)

4) We spent Easter (among other days) in New Orleans which was a blast.  Who knew that it was a party (granted on a much smaller scale) like Mardi Gras - with parades and all! 

5) I turned the big 4-0 with lots of fanfare (it’s not so bad) and ditched my big ‘ole SUV for a baby blue VW beetle convertible. I don't ever want to be old at heart. No way. 

6) We watched our oldest son, Ferris, graduate from LSU with a degree in journalism and finish his first novel  - so proud of him (praying that it gets published one day!)

7) My extended family gained babies, in-laws, and my parents were well (what a blessing)

8) I experienced Canton, TX Trade Days for the first time with my husband. This little trip took care of my antique fix and spurred many DIY projects around the house! 

9) We spent another restful summer vacation on the white sand of the Gulf Coast- our feet in the surf and cold drinks and books in our hands.  Paradise.  

10) Riley and I  went back to school in August and I moved into my new (and very own) speech room for the first time in my 18 year career- that was a huge deal for me! 

11) We brought our pup Lola on her very first mini vacay to Biloxi, Mississippi. She behaved like she was born to live at the Hard Rock Hotel.  

12) I must have been pretty good at time management because I added 104 products to my TpT store!  I’m addicted to it now. I may need TpT anonymous.

13) We adopted a stray cat (or he adopted us) who we now call "Linus"- which I think he prefers to "cat." He doesn't like us very much, but he loves Lola. 

14) We spent Thanksgiving at Disney World with our kids and our 7 year old godchild (oh, and the rest of his family, too!)  Man, I have the same shirt on in this picture- I must really like it LOL 

15) We ate lots of gumbo and crawfish. We spent lazy days in the pool, getting out just to make a batch of homemade ice cream. Some days my boys and I just stayed in our PJs. 

That’s the good stuff.

16) Finally we celebrated Jesus' birthday at my Momma and Daddy's house in Mamou, LA.  Nothing like it.  Home feels good.   

At the turn of a new I’m always a little anxious- a little scared - to be honest.  I think surely I’ve been too blessed and that surely the other shoe is about to drop.  

Since I became a Mom, fear and anxiety always nag at me.  

Will we all be ok?  

Will we stay healthy and safe?  

Will my parents stay healthy, too?  

I have to remember....

As my New Year’s Resolution I’ve decided that every morning when I wake up I will approach the day with a brave spirit & positive outlook. I will experience every little joy the day brings and let the worry go. I will breathe through the things that are less than joyful and play Bob Marley on my iphone as needed. "Every little ting is gonna be alright." 

That’s not always easy for worriers.  I don't trust myself to keep this resolution so I put a few images on my phone and taped to my file cabinet at work to help keep me on track.   

What's your resolution? 

Happy New Year to you and may 2014 bring us all happy days full of good things. 

On the other days, may we all remember to breathe. 

xoxo