It's my BIRTHDAY!!!!

As I sit here thinking about the past year of my life, I can't help but think of how blessed I am.

Last year when I turned 24, I sent myself into a panic. I was afraid to turn 24 but wasn't afraid of 25. Then, as the year went on, I became more and more afraid to turn 25. There is a lot of pressure in getting older. Everyone expects so much more of you.

You need to be sure of yourself, where you're going in life, who you want to be, where you want to end up, etc. All these questions that you couldn't answer the year before, you have to answer now.

But what if you don't know what you want to do, or who you want to be, or where you want to end up? Then panic sets in. But that's not fair. Why are we always rushing time? When kids are younger we want nothing more than time to slow down, so why as we get older are we forcing people to rush into life decisions that they aren't ready to make, or aren't sure of?

I was so afraid of 25, but the longer the day goes on, the more I feel like 25 won't be so bad. I feel like this may be my greatest year yet!

I am surrounded by a family that loves me and that I love. We've had our ups and downs, but we did it as a family, and we are even stronger because of it! I was told happy birthday right at midnight, I woke up to a note from my Pops, and my brother actually got me a birthday present. Life is great!

I cannot wait to see where 25 takes me, but wherever it is, I am ready to take it on full force!

WATCH OUT WORLD, HERE I COMMMEE!!

Lights, Camera, Action!

So tonight I got to thinking about makeup. I am babysitting my cousins kids and was going over in my head if I had brought everything with me. As I was thinking about my makeup, I couldn't remember if I had grabbed my foundation or not. Then I was like, no one will see me tomorrow, so if I did, what of it?

Then I got to thinking about makeup. I can only speak for myself, but as a single female, I realized that unless I am seeing someone or have the potential to see someone I may be interested in, then there is no point in doing my makeup to begin with.

It doesn't matter if I haven't left my house all day and I am running to Sheetz to get gas, there will be makeup on my face. Because the first time I forget to put on makeup, that would be the time I would see the guy I am crushing on.

But why is that fair? It's not like guys are thinking, "oh man, might see a hottie at the store, better use my good smelling stuff!" Like, no. They're not doing that. So why do we find it necessary to do it?

Now, I am growing more and more confident in who I am and what I look like as a person without all my clown makeup on, but I just can't get over the fact that I have to walk out of my house without makeup on and someone might see me.

I know eventually, we will live in a world where females fall asleep and wake up with their makeup perfect. But honestly, I don't want to be one of those people!! So ladies, this is to you.

You are beautiful. You are amazing. You look just as good with makeup, as you do without makeup! And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

Oh Christmas Tree

Oh there's no place like home for the holidays.

Yeah, that's not true. There's no place like home with a tree full of presents like the holidays.

Recently, I have seen post after post from people asking for free hand outs from other families to give their children the Christmas they deserve.

Instead of teaching your children that Christmas is about money and gifts and whatever "Santa" brings them, how about we teach our children that the holidays are meant to spend with our families and cherish the time we have together.

As I sit here typing this, I think about my great aunt that lost two children and a husband, I think of my cousin who is over seas, I think of my cousins sister-in-law who is going through cancer treatments. Imagine what is on their Christmas list?

My cousin wants to be home with his family eating delicious food, not over seas fighting a war. My great aunt wants her house full of love and laughter, not sadness and memories of Christmas past. My cousins sister-in-law wants to not have to worry about being sick for the holidays due to chemo and radiation.

Honestly, it is so easy to sit and complain about the things that we have or the things that we want. But honestly, there are so many things to be thankful for. Health and family being two of them. Wealth should not ever be one of the things that we are thankful for. Having enough to cover your bills, keep the food on the table, and the roof over your head should be enough.

Next time you think your children deserve more than you can provide, just remember that we didn't ask you to have all these kids that you can't afford. Instead of asking for free handouts, offer to help those you are receiving the goods from with small tasks they may need done.

A good bit of advice is the four gift rule:
1. Something to wear,
2. something you need,
3. something you want,
4. and something faith based.

And if your kids can't accept that, then maybe you need to reevaluate your parenting style.

From me and mine, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!