Blessed

The older I get the more and more I appreciate my family.

Since my parents are divorced and I live in the town that they both grew up in (and where most of both sides of my family still lives) Holidays have always been so crazy. I have always felt the pressure to make sure that I spread my time evenly. I didn't want one side of my family to feel less important then the other side... however... In the back of my mind.... I would always be complaining.... Just wishing that both of my families weren't so close and so big and that I would for once experience what a "relaxing" or "normal" holiday was like.

The past few years my mind set has completely changed. For whatever reason God has blessed me with probably the most amazing family in the world. Both sides are huge, and fun and loving.... I wouldn't trade them for the world. Some people don't family at all and spend every holiday alone.... and here I am complaining about having to many family members? THAT'S CRAZY.

I am blessed beyond words.

Icy Air

Inhalation of broken glass

each breath with its shards

Bleeding lungs

cool night air

make you remember

opens your soul

Celebrating My Sisters Life!

I can hardly believe that my little sister Emily turns 11 years old tomorrow.

My love for her is sooooo huge.

Can I brag about her for a little bit?

~She is probably the most loving, non-judgmental kids (let alone person) I met in my entire life.

~She lives life to the fullest.

~Her personality is vibrant and people are just drawn to her.

~She never leaves anyone out.

~She is soooo hospitable (anyone that walks in to my parents house and feel so loved)

~She has the best sense of humor.. seriously she makes me laugh sooo hard.

(and there is more, but I wont keep going)

When I still lived at home I got the privilege of sharing a bedroom with her. One evening I was laying in bed reading and she woke up.... this was our conversation (remember she was maybe 7 years old at the time)

Me: "Hey Baby girl, why are you awake!?

Em: "I dont know, I just cant stop thinking about my friends from school."

Me: "What do you mean?"

Em: "Well, they just dont seem to love God the same way as I do... and it makes me sad and worried about them."

COME ON!!

Not to mention that when she decided to follow Jesus at the young ripe ago of 5 or 6.....

(after she prayed telling God she wanted to live for him)

she said to my mom with tears running down her cheeks....

"Mom, I feel like a brand new kid"

She is such an amazing girl.

I am really excited to see what God has in-store for her and her life

I know his plans are big.

He is going to use her to touch so many people.

I pray that I am, and will continue to be an example of a Godly women to her.

I LOVE HER SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH

Happy Birthday EMILY CLARE

Real Self

Sometimes I like to think what my personality was like as a child.
Before the world and all of its cracks tainted you.

I feel like that's when you truly lived out the best portrayal of your true self.
Of course, over the years you learn and grow a lot.... but I still... I feel like the younger you paints the best picture of who you are, what you like, and how your view the world.

Who was Dana?

1. EXTREMELY independent. I would spend hours in my room playing by myself. I was really comfortable being alone in my own space and thought.

2. I was the neighborhood welcome wagon. Whenever a new family moved in I would be the 1st one knocking on the door welcoming them. I wanted everyone to feel like they belonged!

3. I use to make up songs all the time. I remember being scared that when I grew up that all of the songs in the world were going to be used up, and I would never get to write for myself.

4. I felt the most love when sitting on the couch with my mom snuggling. Touch has always been the way I receive love the best. No matter how I feeling.... if I was close to my mom.. or brothers.. or grandma.. or dad... I felt self, secure and that everything was going to be alright.

5. I didn't like TV and would much prefer using my imagination.

and I am sure MUCH MUCH more.

What about you? What were you like?

Growing up

I have been thinking a lot about life lately and have decided that I don't want to live a SUPER long life.

Don't get me wrong.... I desire marriage, kids and grand kids... but I don't want to live to be soooo old I lose my independence.

Interacting with my great grandparents have shown me that. My great grandma is only 87 and her mind is still completely with it, but she is losing her mobility. My Banka is 91 and his memory is lost. He reminds me of a child. We always need to remind him, who we are... how we are related... etc.

Even conversations with them always consist of how there friends have all passed away and how they miss there families.

Can you imagine being the only ones left out of your circle of friends? How lonely?
The only one left out of you cousins and siblings? So sad.

I guess they have us, but still.. it just makes me a little sad.

Its all in Gods hands, but that's what I would choose if I had my choice.

My Banka

Today was a good day.

I walk in to my grandparents house for a family dinner. As I walk in I make my normal rounds of hugs and hellos.
Usually as I say hello to my great grandpa (Banka), he gives me a blank stare and says hello... confused to who I am.

Today was rare gift.

As I walk over to him, before I could even utter a word he says.....

"Well, Hello Dana!!", with a huge warm smile on his face!
Man, this warmed my heart.

He went off to tell me what I a beautiful young women I was.. and told me stories of when he was young.
I was able to ask him questions... tell him memories I had of him from when I was young.

I will cherish tonight for a long time.

Thank you God, for this rare connection with my Banka.