This Is the love of my life .. my everyday Joy and the reason I wake up every morning! Words cannot express how much I love this blossoming young lady! Over the summer she has grown In leaps and bounds. She Is really becoming more of herself and It Is such an amazing journey to sit back and get lil glimpses Into the woman she'll someday be! So far her school year Is off to a great start! 100's across the board and yes I know Its only the second week of school BUT I am just that proud! Some parents want there kids to be doctors or something of that sort, but our philosophy has always been .. be who are are and do what makes your heart happy!! I believe If we all did that a lil more our lives would be so much more fulfilling.

So on the family front .. Over the weekend we surprised sage with a very early wake up call on Saturday morning to take her to The Walkway over the Hudson to see a beautiful sunrise. Well .. of course there was so much cloud coverage we really couldnt see much! But she had soooo much fun and It was FREEZING! I believe our kids dont get to see enough amazing things .. and there Is sooo much beauty In this world she should get to experience!!!! I'll admitt It .. even though some parents out there wouldnt dare. I am at fault for my daughter not getting out as much as she should! There I said It .. Its out there now! Somewhere along the line I let myself go ... I stopped living and enjoying my life which In turn affected Sage and she didnt get out to do and experience things! So Its been my goal and duty as a mom to 1. Keep promises when I make them. 2. Do something outside with her everyday. Even If Its just letting her play on her school playground for a half hour! Last but not least 3. Expose her to the beauty of this world! What does that mean?? Show your child a sunrise or sunset .. find something there passionate about and RUN WITH IT!! Sage loves photography .. so I give her my camera and let HER take the shots. Its amazing to see that shes REALLY good at takin photos!! Let your kids move at there pace ... not yours. I love sports and yeah I could have really pushed my love onto her , but I just never felt that was right. For many years she HATED sports .. but recently shes shown an Intrest In soccer!! So right now Im fostering her new love of Soccer .. we'll see where this goes.

Simply put live your life as If there was no tomorrow. Teach your kids to see there surroundings not just walk through It. Open there eyes to everything and stand back and let them choose the direction they'll go with It. Do NOT push your ideals and beliefs onto them. Let them see both sides and If your living by what your teaching and your truly happy they will WANT to live that way too!!!

New Year

So the first week of Sages new school Is over. Im soooo very proud of her. Shes making friends and adjusting so well. I kinda like the new school. Theres alot of good things about It but no matter what, It will never be Smith. The weather lately has been beyond gorgeous! Today we went up to the walkway to see a sunrise but all the clouds got In the way. I still was able to get some really nice pictures. Omg It was sooooooo cold up there!! Right now .. Im watching Dirty Dancing. I totally love this movie. Patrick was such an amazing actor. I looked at him during his cancer battle and he was so graceful and strong that I never thought hed die. It made me believe that If Patrick could make It ... I had nothing to worry about when It came to my brother. And then .. Patrick died and I remember this Intense feeling of fear overwhelm me. I kept sayin to myself .. If he couldnt make It hows my brother supposed to? Cancer Is this evil soul sucking disease. It sucks everything out of everyone .. not just the person whoes sick with cancer but there family and friends! It drains your hopes and your dreams ... It depletes your energy and your happiness. It also teaches you that your stronger then you ever thought and with faith you can overcome anything. My brother Is still here ..... but his health Is slowly going downhill. I watch him as he takes advantage of his life .. and his loved ones. He lives as If hes already dead .. not taking Into account that hes still ALIVE when many others have lost there battle. I wish that hed wake up and live each day to the fullest. To love everyone In his life ... to make sure hes the husband and friend hes supposed to be. Instead he pushes everyone away and treats them like garbage because In his mind ........ Its better that way. I'll never undertstand that .. but I love him and for that reason alone... Im still here.