Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I'd say, SURPRISE, but I probably don't have to.
I hope this post finds you all well and looking forward to what 2020 will bring.  I'm excited for this new decade, but a bit overwhelmed by where I find myself...  Nicky will be heading back to the University of Arizona on Jan.10 to have a mini RA training before the residents arrive on Jan.13th. He'll be starting the 2nd semester of his Junior year as an electrical and computer engineering major and will continue applying for summer internship opportunities and DJing his weekly radio show. Lyndzi just turned 18 a few weeks ago,and is finishing up her last college application as she prepares for the second semester of her senior year in High school. She's juggling being the Varsity Soccer goalie and one of the captains, along with finishing additional works for her portfolio, volunteering at the Sun City Thrift Shop, and mastering her classes. Kelsie turned Sweet 16 a week before Lyndzi turned 18. She is prepping for her upcoming role in "Mulan"at Peoria High School, as well as playing Varsity soccer, volunteering and taking honors classes.  I'm just dumbfounded at how quickly the years have passed, in addition to how long it's been since I actually pursued my own dream of becoming a writer. As a mom and wife, I prioritized everyone else's needs and goals before mine. I was a cheerleader, a chauffeur, a consultant, a collaborator, a DJ, an emcee, an event coordinator, and a fundraiser; and though I loved (almost) every minute of it; my dream took a backseat. PLEASE don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely NOT complaining, I'm just making an observation; because, ya know - THAT'S what I do.

Being a mom is the most satisfying, gratifying, and exciting experience that I've ever had and If I think about how old my kids were and what they were doing when I first started writing "The Bumpy Ride" and where we are now, it feels like it's all transpired in the blink of an eye. I wouldn't change a minute of the time I've spent helping them become who they are but I'm hoping that in this New Year, I will encourage (OK, push) myself the same way I do my kids.

As I sat home relaxing  today (something that I'm not really good at), I thought to myself that it would be a great day to take a stab at resurrecting my blog. I didn't really have anything witty or profound to share, so I re-read a few of my old posts. I wasn't surprised to find that I had mentioned my desire to get back to the gym, several times, and yes, that 100 plus pounds is still yearning to be lost; but just as I took a chance and tried to compose this post, I'm going to make my best effort to get back to the gym. For extra inspiration, I perused some quotes about getting started and because I'm all about the greater good, i'll share some of my favorites with you, just in case you need a lil New Year's encouragement as well.

So, with these words of wisdom in hand, I welcome 2020 and all that it will bring. We have a lot of wonderful things to look forward to and I plan to enjoy them as my best me.  I wish the same for you as well.

Till next time...
Paige

(43-158) HAPPY New Year 2011

Welcome to "The Bumpy Ride" 2011.  I hope that you all had as wonderful a New Year's eve as my family and I did.  We spent a perfect evening with Mari and her family...  Good friends, Good food, GOOD TIMES!!!  And now, I'm writing my first blog of the new year, as I sit in my car, 40 miles or so south of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Although it typically doesn't snow in Phoenix, Luis and several of my friends, reported seeing snow flurries on Thursday; as Northern Arizona got pounded with about two feet of snow.  We usually try to take the kids up north to play in the snow at least once per winter; so this New Year's day seemed like a terrific opportunity to do so. We waited till after noon to begin our drive up north; which turned out to be a really good thing to do because it had warmed up quite a bit.  It wasn't long before we started to see snow; and just past Sedona, people were pulling over on the side of the road to take pictures and let their kids play.  We drove a little further north, before doing the same.

To be honest, snow wasn't high on my list of ways that I wanted to spend my day; but my family's enthusiasm was contagious.  The joyous expressions on their faces as they crunched their way through the snow tracks that Luis had made for them, was priceless; and we just couldn't take enough pictures.

It wasn't nearly as cold as it had been in Phoenix the past couple of nights, so I didn't even put my coat on.  The snow glistened as if someone had poured glitter over it; and my kids were beaming. 

After icicle hunting and horsing around, I got back in the car to warm up and start writing my blog.  I was hard at work; but I lifted my head out of my notebook, and I felt a smile spread across my face as I noticed Luis building a snow ramp, so the kids could use their sled.  Is he the BEST dad or what?

Nicky and Lyndzi made arsenals of snow balls and Kelsie ate the snow, Luis built his ramp up higher and I HAPPILY took it all in.  I remembered my winters in New York; hours of sledding and rosy red cheeks; and I couldn't help but think to myself "life is good!"  With that thought in mind, I couldn't let an opportunity to play with my family pass; and I got out of the car so that I could take my turn on the sled.  I told Luis that I was going to go down on my stomach, and he said "well, you're the pro," and with that, I took off down our little slope, giggling all the way.

The kids took a few more turns on the sled and decided that they were ready for hot chocolate; so we piled back into our car in pursuit of a warm, sweet treat.

Even though it's not what I thought I wanted to do; it turned out to be an amazing day with my family and a wonderful way to start our new year.  I wish you all unexpected pleasures as well.

Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING