Tiny Eden

Friday, January 6, 2012

Welcome 2012!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a joyous holiday season. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays because I find peace and comfort in the decorations, I love the music, and it is a time to gather with my family to celebrate. It is also a time to reflect and remember. Christmas morning 2008, my grandma passed away. I remember spending Christmas with her and the joy and delite she took in opening each gift. No matter how big or small, she always appreciated the gifts she received. After opening each gift, phrases such as, "Oh, Linda, it's just beautiful!", "Now where did you catch that?", and "That is just stunning." Every once in a while, she would throw in a, "I'm going to knock you one. This is too much. You should not have done that." But we never got knocked. We only got endless amounts of hugs and kisses. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about her.

This year, Sam and I went to NY to celebrate DeCola/de la Garza style. We had a great time with the kids, but unfortunately, they did have the sniffles and caught a stomach virus. Eeeeek! Thankfully, everyone is back to normal and Sam and I came home sniffle and virus free. While we were home, we got to meet my dear friend Kim's baby. He is so adorable! We went to see the tree with Kathleen in the city, and I had lunch with Lisa. My mom and I did our usual stroll on Grand Ave on Christmas Eve, a tradition that we didn't even realize had become one. We went for lunch and we were able to catch up, just the two of us, while my dad, Gramps, and Sam watched the GIANTS-Jets game. Go GIANTS by the way. Mom and I went to the Chinese market that is not too far from our house called Great Wall. There were some interesting things swimming around in tanks and we debated buying them all and setting them free at Jones Beach. Everyone else had the traditional fish dinner and I had chicken. Stina and I wrote her letter to Santa and I wrote Matthew's letter for him. On Christmas, it looked like Santa's sleigh exploded at our house, leaving all of the world's presents under our tree. My family is incredibly generous. So is my husband. I am typing this blog on my new computer. I think Sam got tired of my meltdowns between old computers and really awful internet connections. The computer issue was solved! Each time I go up there, it makes me miss it just a little bit more. New York really is the greatest place on earth and I cannot wait to go back!

While we were living it up in NYC, Sam's mom stayed at our house to babysit her four legged furry grandkids. I was expecting to get a million phone calls begging us to save her from our 2 looney toons, but she said she had a great time. I guess anyone who survived my husband as a child can handle 2 rambunctious puppies.

So what does 2012 have in store for the Byram's? Let's see. We are planning on a few more minor renovations in our house as well as continuing with our Happiness Project. The focus of having a baby is kind of going to be put on the back burner for now. It is more of a source of sadness for us than happiness, so until the time is right, that is going to be on hold. Sam is gearing up for his busy season at work as a CPA. If you need your taxes done, let me know! I am hoping to follow in my sister's footsteps and attempt to make money from my hidden talents. Every year at Christmas, I would make baskets filled with goodies for Sam's family, so I am hoping to do that as well as add some paper goods into the mix. I have been loving my new Cricut machine and I have been spending some of my free time making stationary, gift tags, and decorations for our home. During this year, I am also hoping to increase my confidence as a nurse and achieve some professional goals that I have set for myself.

Here's to putting a year of many mixed emotions to rest. 2011 was the year Matthew was brought into our lives, but the year of a failed IVF. I said goodbye to my best friend Cheyenne, but gained two crazy, wild girls Phoebe and Lulu, got my CPN certification, gained some new friends, but separated myself from some old ones. Hoping everyone has a 2012 filled with love, health, and happiness, a well as more good times than bad. Hugs to all!

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." ~Oprah Winfrey

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce