This year, was probably one of my toughest yet rewarding years of my life. It’s a relief to see it behind me, but I am actually thankful I’ve experienced so much.

At the beginning of this year, I took over the family finances to ease the burden on my husband. It made it easier for just me to organize and pay the bills. It was a very rewarding growing-up experience. Before this year I’d never balanced a check book or really have to pay my own bills. Someone in my life has always just taken over that responsibility for me, and it was certainly an eye-opener!

January was tough. Because of this, behind the scenes, blogging has also been tough. Because I chose to write about my experience of abuse, I’ve dealt with a lot of harassment, hate filled blogs (that not only attacked me, but also my husband and daughter) and hate-mail on the back side.  It was from those who supported (or are) the people that did these things to me. I pray for their salvation daily, and in the end, I am so glad I have this forum to share my story. So many of you came forward with your own stories of abuse (whether it be physical, mental or both) and it’s nice to know that there are other survivors out there.

In February, I also went to Blissdom, and met some amazing people! I also got closer to some of my “Big Deal Moms” during the experience (a big shout out to my “Meals and Deals” crew!) and it helped …Continue Reading…

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see in the final analysis. it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

-A poem by Mother Teresa

At Saturday night’s Easter Vigil, I made one of the biggest leaps of my life.

I was baptized. …Continue Reading…

During Lent, I will be experiencing many new things in my faith formation. As some of you may/may not know, I am in the process of converting to Catholicism (RCIA catechumen). Today (Sunday) I will be involved in my Rite of Sending during the AM Mass, and then will be participating in the Rite of Election (where I am presented to our Archbishop, who won’t be there- instead it will be our area Dean) this same evening. Needless to say, it’s a big day for me. So, if you have a moment out of your busy day, I would appreciate it if you said a little prayer for me. It’s getting closer and closer to my baptism. I can’t believe it’s almost here!!

So I leave you with this for today:

O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress. (Jeremiah 16:19)