A year in review

Its officially New Years Eve and before I head into work for a crazy busy night I want to reflect back on 2012. I keep saying that 2012 was the worst year of my life...and thats not entirely true. More like mid-2011 to mid-2012 was the worst year of my life for a lot of reasons. However, I always say its the tough times that make you a stronger person so I am very thankful for Gods strength through all the tough times.  These past few months things have really been looking up, and I take that as a sign that 2013 is going to be a great year.  Yes there will be tough times but I think I am a stronger person now and will be able to handle those tough times better now. So enough with focusing on the bad, I'd like to reflect on the good that 2012 brought...b/c there were definitely good times as well! So here are my top 10 best moments/things of 2012.

1. Throughout all of my Mom's treatments every week, I was able to spend a lot of quality time with her which is something I will never take for granted.  Even if it was just sitting beside her in the hospital and holding her hand , I am thankful that I was able to be there. I knew when I lived in California that I needed to get home and be with my Mom. I couldnt explain that to people at the time b/c we didnt even know my mom was sick at that time. And I cant explain it now either, but I KNEW something was wrong and that I was needed back at home for my mom. So while it was devastating to find out my mom had cancer, I am thankful I was in Ohio where I could be there for her, rather than 3,000 miles away. So even though I miss Cali like crazy, I know it was the right decision to move back.

2. Chris and I moved into a new apartment in Fort Thomas. This was a big deal for us because when we moved back from LA we didnt know where our lives would take us next. In the 3 years we have been married we have lived in 3 different states. It feels really great to feel "settled" somewhere. We really love the area we live in, and the best part is the cost of living here is not too bad so we have extra money to take a lot of trips!


3. Speaking of taking a lot of trips....we went on a cruise in May! It was very relaxing and just what we needed.

4. I got with an acting agency here in Cincinnati, and even did a small part in a movie which was a ton of fun! The movie was even more exciting to be a part of b/c it was benefiting the American Cancer Society.

5. Cheerleading Camp. I have been going to cheerleading camp for quite awhile if you count all the times I went as a cheerleader and now as a coach. It is always one of my favorite memories of the cheerleading season.  This year at cheerleading camp was extra special. The girls all bonded together as more than just a squad, but literally as sisters. It was amazing to be a part of it and reminded me why I coach.  Of course I coach b/c I love cheerleading and want to see the girls grow in that sport. But more importantly I coach b/c I want to be a role model and "big sister" to these girls. Cheerleading camp came at a really rough time in my life, and was exactly what I needed to renew my strength in my relationship with God and remind me that I am exactly where God wanted me to be in life.

6. Chris and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary! I cant believe 3 years have gone by so fast and its crazy to think Chris and I have been together for 6 years. It seems like just yesterday we met for the first time and quickly fell in love :) We have been through a lot together and are each others rock. I honestly dont know what I would have done with out him by my side and I feel so blessed to call him my husband!



7. For our anniversary we got to go on a road trip to places we have never been. I can honestly say it was one of my favorite vacations. We had a blast experiencing new things together and spending quality time just the two of us.

8. Chris and I both got hired at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. This was such a blessing and I can not tell you how happy I am to be working there. We loved working at Ruth's Chris in California and couldn't wait for them to open the one here.  A lot of people applied and we both feel very lucky to have been hired.  We have met new friends along the way and absolutely love our new jobs! It was difficult leaving Mitchell's because we love all the people there, but we feel very fortunate for this new opportunity! (All of these photos are credit Erin Heitsch Photography)

 9. I fell back in love with Cincinnati. After moving back from LA I'm not going to lie I thought Cincinnati was the most boring place on earth haha. But Cincinnati is really coming a long way and I have learned to appreciate it once again.  I love living close to downtown, and Over the Rhine has become one of my favorite places.  It is so rich in culture and just different than any other area in Cincinnati. I love working downtown just steps from the Reds stadium. I truly have fallen back in love with the city I grew up in, and even though I still think LA is one of the greatest places on earth, Cincinnati will always be #1 in my heart.

10. I got to spend a lot of time with my family, especially my nieces.  As you probably already know I just adore my nieces.  I love being an aunt, and watching my nieces grow up is something really special.

I guess this year wasnt as bad as I thought ;) Sometimes its best to remember all the good times instead of dwelling on the bad! I have a feeling 2013 is going to be a great year :) I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!!

Tis the Season

I sit here on Christmas Eve getting ready to go to sleep and can not believe it is already Christmas tomorrow and we are getting closer to it being a new year.  As I think back this past year it is such a blur. Part of me feels like it flew by, and the other part of me feels like it was a never ending year. Christmas is such a special time to spend with family and celebrate the birth of Christ, and it is truly one of my favorite times of the year.  Last Christmas, my family received some horrible news that my mom had breast cancer.  As I look back at this last year and relive the memories I want to just burst in to tears from all the pain and heart ache my family (especially my mom) had to go through. I remember how in shock and in disbelief I was when I found out my mom had breast cancer...and still to this day it seems very surreal. You never think those types of things will happen to someone so close to you, and when they do it can literally be life changing. Last Christmas my mom and I got in a horrible fight and I said some really mean things out of anger (not my proudest moment...). It was the next day that I found out my mom could possibly have breast cancer. I was so mad at myself for getting in an argument with her on Christmas...and I couldn't help but think after that "What if she doesnt make it until next Christmas and this is how I will always remember my last Christmas with my Mom?!" I dont like to live life with regrets, but if I could take back that day, that argument, I would in a heart beat.

I am happy to be able to sit here and type out that I do indeed get to spend another Christmas with my mom. Tomorrow I am more excited than ever to spend the entire day with the people that mean the most to me in the whole world. AND I am even more excited to be able to say that my mom is healthy and CANCER FREE. Praise God!! My family has a lot to celebrate this Christmas. To say the least 2012 was not very nice to my family in a lot of ways. However, I think that through all the trials and tribulations that this past year brought, my family is now closer because of it.  That is something that I will never take for granted and that I am so thankful for. You never know when something bad can happen, and you truly have to live every day to the fullest.  Tell the ones you love that you love them any moment you can. Dont be fearful of the bad things happening, but be happy and celebrate the life God has given you. Christ came to earth specifically to die for us so that we could live and honor God in everything we do.  This Christmas I am reminded of that more than ever. And when things are tough, you just have to remind yourself that God is in control. If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it :)

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."