What a perfect day to start something new, right? I feel like every July 16 is a new time to start over and look forward to life at a new age, and push the years I would like to forget back in time 365 more days. I have learned SOOOO much in the past 5 years and I am grateful for aging and gaining new perspective on life, parenting, marriage, and family. This past year being 25 I can say has been the single most stable, rational, and "normal" year I have ever had. I look back and there were no screaming fights, no troubles in the relationships with my parents, Dallas seemed to grow up so much, Brooklyn matured a lot into a huge helper, I have guided Zachary into the beautiful toddler he is right now, and I had a great best friend to support me and cheer me on through it all even when she couldn't do that for herself and that is a true friend to me. It seems all those years of chaos in relationships just kind of let up and gave me a break for a while. I know happiness is fleeting so that is why I need to be grateful for it when I have it. I know from all that has happened as long as I have my children alive and well and here with me, Zach alive and well and laying next to me at night, my parents alive and well and there for me when I need them, and Sheena and her babies alive and well to love, I will be fine. Those are truly the things that have come to matter and I have no one left to impress because my life is full of people that I don't need to impress because their love for me goes beyond that. I just wanted to start this off on a good note because I am filled with love and happiness today. Sometimes I feel less than appreciated and today I know that I am so appreciated and cared for and that just filled me up so much unexpectedly. I have such loving in-laws too, I wanted to add that. I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Zach's brother Chris and his girlfriend and they added Peggys name to the card. Zach's grandparents sent me a card that told me how much she loved me and how strong she thinks I am, Zach and his grandma also split the cost of a BEAUTIFUL Coach purse that Zach surprised me with last night and I love it so so so much, and Peggy gave me a card thanking me for being there for her. I also got the news that when her social security settlement comes I will be getting as much money as Zach and Chris for helping to take care of her through the years. I think that makes me feel most appreciated and believe me I appreciate it. Well I am happy right now and tomorrow I will wake up and it will just be another normal day but all of the things that happened today will help so much in making it another 365 days of trying to be good to the people I love so that they don't regret letting me know how much I am loved and cared for.