Marriage, money, and broken TV's...

So, it seems I have let a few weeks go by without saying anything... Last week Conan got to travel to northern CA for his job and I just couldn't think of what to say! That must mean that he inspires me! Actually, he does! He deserves a medal for loving me so much and for so long. I really hate it when he's gone, and not just because I can't sleep very well without him... I did put some chairs under the knobs of the outside doors (which a few teenagers in my life- I won't mention names, really had to make fun of...) and Maya, our dog came upstairs and slept next to my bed! I didn't even ask her to!

I've been pondering the milestones in my life- married for 17 years, which we recently celebrated at the beach in Delaware and Maryland, Elizabeth turning 12 in February, and now Christian, our first born, will be turning 15 next week!!! No way! Now I get it when "older" people say things like, "where has the time gone?" or "life just goes by too fast!" I don't really feel that old, some days I feel like I am still about 10... When those fears hit and I'm too scared to want to be the mom; the responsible adult setting the example. This past week I hit the library and ended up reading several books. I specifically felt drawn to the finance section and ended up with three books on getting out of debt and then one in the motivational section entitled something like "Sugar Addiction is Real"! I did manage to read the money books, but couldn't quite get past the second chapter of the sugar addict's self help one... No, it's not denial... The point is, I know where my weaknesses are and I'm really trying! REALLY!

Back to the milestones... the best thing is to look back and see how far I've come, how much I've really changed for the better. The absolute worst thing is to look back and see how much I haven't changed and how many years have gone by without realizing how much better I could be if I would have... Make sense??? ( Oh well, it's my blog so I can say anything I want to!)
The greatest thing of all is to see how amazingly blessed I am, how much our Father in Heaven has given to me. I don't always feel or show my gratitude, especially when I get whiny about things, but I really am overwhelmed with thanks for everything and everyone in my life. My life really is good and I'm making a huge effort to treat myself better (more exercise, less sugar, less spending, more laughing and hugging...).

Oh yeah, our ridiculously expensive 50" plasma TV broke last week (along with my camera which had broken the week before), so I had the satellite turned off... (HUGE!) so we're watching way less television now (as in NONE), which doesn't seem to be inflicting too much pain! Yesterday Elizabeth manufactured a treasure hunt for Emma to go on- how long has it been since that happened last??? Over the weekend we actually played games for hours (as in board games, remember those?). It's all good! Yep, I'm still grateful..