Smile through your fear and sorrow.

     Over the years I have had some pretty hard trails in my life, as we all do. But we all react differently when our lives become stressful or hard. I told myself a long time ago that I would do my best to push through it, and do it with a smile on my face. I told myself that this trail can either make me or break me.

    I try my hardest everyday to begin and end each day with a smile on my face and have a good attitude. I want to be the kind of person that people can go to if they are having a bad day, or just need to talk. I strive to be the person with the positive attitude towards life, and I hope people see me that way. But it's actually really hard to have a "good" attitude, or to always have a smile on your face when you might actually be having a bad day.

   One of my favorite songs in the entire world is called "Smile" ..here are the lyrics.

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though it's breaking

When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by

if you smile through your fear and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just smile

   We all have our days when we start to get discouraged, stressed, and just feel like we are stuck in life. It's the days like this when it's the hardest to have a good attitude. But you know what... it's ok to have a good cry, or to feel discouraged. At least I know that I need it. It is motivation for me in a way... if that makes sense.

    Well actually, I have self diagnosed myself with seasonal depression. (Don't worry people) It's just in the months of January/February when I start to get depressed in a way. It's just at time when it's hard for me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I guess it's the lack of sun in the winter months, or maybe it's because of all the ugly gray snow.. who knows.. But many people don't know that I get like this at this time because I choose to smile, have a good attitude and press forward.

   I guess what I'm trying to say is that, when you are feeling sad or depressed. Just remember that everything will be ok in the end. As Bob Marley said.. "Don't worry about a thing, because every little thing will be alright." Don't worry about the small things, and just enjoy life. Try to have a smile on every minute of the day, and press forward. :)

We have some catching up to do.

Ok, Where to begin... Well it's been about 5 months since I blogged last, and a lot has happened since then. 

It's really weird to go from blogging everyday for a year to being able to just... not blog. HAHA.. So I guess that's why I haven't done it for awhile. I just was sick of it after my 365 challenge... but I'm back now! 

So here is what has happened...

My family and I went camping in late August to our most favorite place to camp ever. Warm River. It's up in Idaho, and we just spent the weekend. It is one of my favorite places to be, and camping is one of my favorite things to do.

Little Cameron got to come up to go camping with his dad, while Sara and the baby stayed at home. He loved it so much, but when I think about it... what doesn't Cameron love... other then red meat? His favorite part was the fishing, and telling stories next to the camp fire while roasting marshmallows.... speaking of marshmallows... 

I think Scott got a little carried away this time.. HAHA.. it was more like BURNING marshmallows.

Well the months went by, and soon it was Halloween, one of my favorite holidays.

My Mom, my sister and I took Lauren and Aaron to "This is the Place" to do all the Halloween things. Lauren dressed up as a witch, and Aaron went as a Skeleton (but he didn't wear his costume when we went.)

Anyway... I dressed up as a Zombie, and I've got to say.. this is a really good home made costume that I made. I'm really proud. It looks like I really did just walk out of my grave.

Cameron and Ali went as bugs. This happened because we call Ali "Ali Bugs" so we thought it would be a good idea to have them be bugs, and Scott went as a bug catcher, and Sara as a butterfly. But before Halloween, we would ask Cameron what kind of bug he would want to be, and he always replied.. "I want to be a Dragonfly." No matter what kind of bug we insisted on him being, he always said Dragonfly. So Sara made him this AWESOME Dragonfly costume. Isn't he so cute! 

My Dad and I heard about this house that had over 100 carved pumpkins, so we check them out, and here they are. Someone has some spare time on their hands! They were really cool! People can have such interesting talents, it amazes me! 

Later on... I ran my first 5K on Thanksgiving. I have always wanted to be a runner. So I did it. I started training about 2 months before, and it worked. I ran almost the entire time. I loved every second of it.

It feels good to accomplish a goal or dream you have, and it makes you feel so proud of yourself, and you gain a ton of self confidence doing it. I lost about 25 lbs, but it isn't all from the running. I started the diet in August... but I'm sure the running/training helped a ton!

Scott ran it with me. Now I just need to train for a 10K and eventually a half marathon, and then a full marathon. It's my new dream to run the Boston marathon. But every time I think about a marathon, I get scared and don't think I ever could. But that's what I thought about the 5K two months ago ;) If you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. So I just need to tell myself that I can, and never give up!

We had a HUGE wind storm. I guess you can call it a natural disaster... well actually.. it was a natural disaster. There were THOUSANDS of trees the fell down. (The picture is of my apple tree that fell in my yard) and people had the power out of their house for literary days! It was really scary, but I'm proud of our city. We all pitched in, and help each other in every way we could. I love where I live, and I love the people who live here!

It kind of felt like the world went black, and everyone was just cleaning up, in shock, and scared what was going to happen next. It was kind of cool to see all the trees that fell down. 

I mean they were GIANT trees all over the town, everywhere you looked.... all you could see were trees laying down, broken fences, torn apart houses, and much more. What a day that was! My favorite part was spending time with the family while the power was out. Scott, Sara, and the kids came to our house and slept over.. so that was fun. But if I had to do it again... I wouldn't... and I hope it doesn't happen again!

Well... I was in another Musical. This time I was in "A Christmas Carol" It was so much fun! I made TONS of new friends. It mad the holiday season ten times better, and now I love Christmas even more... which is saying something because I LOVE Christmas. But after being in this show, and telling the story of Scrooge every night really hits you. I learned that we should all be grateful for what we have, and we should always help people in time of need....

One of my favorite lines from the musical is.. "Let the Stars in the sky remind us of mans compassion, let us love 'til we die, and God bless us everyone." and that is really what the Christmas season is all about.

Christmas came, and we it was so much fun, as usual. :) I got my blog books, some DVDs, some books, and a popcorn maker. 

We made it to the new year. I can't believe it's 2012 already. Time fly by so fast..... apparently the world is suppose to end this year. But I know it doesn't, because In back to the Future they travel to the year 2015 and all is well. So that's good.

I don't know if you remembered, but last new years wrote in my blog that I vowed that I would get hot air balloons next new years... and I did. They are so AWESOME! They were so cool. 

We lit them at midnight. It was so much fun to watch them fly away, and it was a great way to start the new year. I told everyone who lit one that they needed to make a wish for the year to come... I hope that everyone's wish comes true.. I would tell you mine, but then it wouldn't come true. So I guess I will tell you when and if it does indeed come true.

I hope that you all have a happy new year, and that you are safe. And please... Be kind to one another! :)

So now you readers are all caught up, and I can start blogging again! 

HIP HIP HORAY!