This year, I am grateful for how my family has come together. I’ve met (er, re-met) the man of my dreams (quite literally) last September and have begun to build a life together. If you asked me before I met Scott, if I would ever marry again, your answer would be an enthusiastic “hell no!” (quickly followed by my “never say never” mantra, but still.. NO). It seems like this resistance has been chipped through and I can’t wait to marry Scott. I can’t wait to give him that commitment. Granted, I (we) still have some baggage from our past so promising forever is a little difficult but.. today, I love him forever! Being with Scott is like being home. There is no place more comfy for me. When we are not close to each other, we feel it. We have an energy that is powerful and really fun to play with (heh). It’s magic, no doubt in my mind, pure magic. I’m grateful that I have found this magic.

We had the opportunity to have Scott’s girls stay with us this summer. I don’t see myself as a step mother kind of person and it takes some getting used to for sure. I’m grateful for that time I’ve gotten to spend with the girls for I’ve been able to fall in love with them as well. My family has doubled and it’s amazing. Course, we need a car now that can handle the 6 of us but we manage (two cars everywhere), groceries never hang around long and there is never any “me” time in our tiny little house but we manage. It’s exciting.

I am another year cancer free. Almost to my 5 year mark, that is a biggie. I am grateful that this year my cancer fears have gotten less and short of a blip of fear here and there, I’m living a “normal” life. I consider myself healthy (er.. kinda, unfit = unhealthy but who’s counting). I still go to support group but more to offer support these days than receive. I do still ball like a baby whenever I hear stories of cancer (NO, I refuse to watch things like Sisters Keeper), it affects me and I don’t believe that is a bad thing.

My sister finally left her no good cheating … husband and moved home from North Carolina. This is a biggie that I am grateful for. Not much worse than to talk on the phone with your miserable sister and want nothing more than to go scoop her up and pop a cap in her husband.. and not be able to. I try to not hate or even dislike anyone but some people make it so hard. I don’t hate him, but I certainly don’t have any respect for the bastard… oops getting side tracked, that happens on that subject. I am grateful Dawn is home and starting her life. She has all that she needs here and is learning to count on herself. It’s a beautiful thing.

For next year, I hope to marry my Ookie Bookie and cruise the Mediterranean on our honeymoon. I hope to travel more, work less (ah we can dream), make new friends and keep the old (kum ba yah anyone?). I hope to make it to Vail for the First Descents Ball again this year and revisit Montana for my FD camp. I hope Scott’s girls move home soon and we find the perfect house (and sell ours of course, want to buy a house?) to house all of us. Most of all, I will work on living my life with love and without judgment.