Day 24 - A letter to your parents.

Dear Parents: Thank you for being so awesome. Thank you for helping me so much over the years and dealing with me when I'm sure I was absolutely no fun as a daughter. I'm sorry I put you through some of the things that I've put you through. But I'm happy that we're close now, and I feel like I have friends in my parents.

Dear Pop: I love your goofy 68 year old personality. I love that we joke around and poke fun at mom when she's being way too silly for life. Most of all I love that you are in my life. We certainly did not have it easy to start off, and it didn't get any easier over the years. But I couldn't imagine a better person to have raised me. You've taught me the importance of having nice things, and while I didn't listen for quite a few years, I'm working on taking that advice. I love you very very much. Thank you for taking such good care of my mother and being an incredible dad to the most important little guy in my life. 

Mama: Words cannot explain how lucky I am for you. I don't even know where to start. You're amazing. You were so strong when I was younger and worked so hard to give me so much. I had no idea we were "poor" or even that we ever struggled financially because it felt like I had everything. You taught me to care about everyone and everything so much. You have such a big heart, but you're tough as nails. I'm so so so happy that you are my very best friend. And that we've grown so much from where we were 3 years ago (even though I know it hurt so much for the both of us in the years before that). You are an incredible woman. And I want to make you proud. (but you gotta let go of the "get married and have babies" bit for a while... ;) )

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In other news (I'm pretty sure I start off each new section after the 30 days of blogging bit that way...) I went Christmas shopping the other night and got it all finished in under an hour! I was pretty happy, as I don't enjoy shopping, especially so close to Christmas. Too many people. But it was nice. Since I don't have a whole lot of money I didn't buy a lot, or for a lot this year. But I came up with the BEST (and pretty cheap) idea for the boys for Christmas. I'm not going to say anything. But do expect full details after Christmas! Hehe.

While I was shopping, I decided to take a look and maybe get a new shirt. I had the cashier ring up everything else first, and it came to about $3 less than what I had. So I decided against the shirt. Paid for everything and was about to walk away when the guy in line behind me tapped me on the shoulder and told me to wait a second. He looked at the cashier and said "Go ahead and ring that up, I want to pay for that..." I was shocked. I tried to tell him no, that it was just something I was buying for myself, he didn't need to buy it. But he looked at me and said "No no, I want to. Merry Christmas".  Needless to say, I left that night in such an amazing mood. I was all warm and fuzzy and thankful and happy that people like that really do exist. What a nice man! Definitely filled me back with the Christmas Spirit. :)

The whole "dieting" bit is getting harder with the Holidays upon us.. While I'm trying to keep as active and Zumba'd as possible, Holiday treats are SOOOO tempting! I'm definitely keeping it to a minimum (to the best of my ability! ha) And trying to eat healthy meals and reasonable portions, so hopefully if anything, I'll be able to maintain my loss so far and get another head start next week! Also, Heidi and Bonnie, I really really am interested in this "Private Zumba" so if you want to for reals, let's plan a night each week we could do it! :D

I'm pretty sure I could keep writing all night. But I'm sure I'll just be rambling and it'd be boring. So I leave you with some photos.

Matt's roommate bought his girlfriend a Wii for Christmas, so we were playing it last night. It was a ton of fun. (and I'm only going to say this once so publicly, but Matt is freakin' hot.)

My hair is getting so long! I love it. :D Also, the shirt in this photo is the shirt mentioned in the story above.