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I'm an Author. I love to write, I love to read and I just love books in general.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Looking back and looking forward. Happy New Year Everyone!

It's been quite a year with a lot to write about! Last December I would never have imagined just a year later that my life would have changed so much. Last December my new year's resolution was to lose some weight, try to find some time to do something for myself since I'm usually all about doing for others, and to make sure that Mr. Laurann and I kept the romance alive. We were hitting 20 years, a landmark, and I've watched relationships wither and die out. I never want that to be us. That's what I was hoping the close of 2009 would bring me.
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I found some 'me' time to write. We had a little extra money so Mr. Laurann encouraged me to write by buying me a new Computer and encouraged me to try to fulfill a dream of mine by submitting my books. Our youngest child was starting elementary school this year so I knew I'd have time now, some hours alone, to actually get a lot done. LOL. I sat down and wrote Ral's Woman, something different from what I have written since I never ventured into space, Sci Fi, or Alien stories. Mr. Laurann told me I could write anything I wanted to and he is usually right. I sent it in and my dream came true when I was offered a contract. Not only was I offered that one but three more followed! If you'd told me last December I'd have a book out there, three more contracted... I would have asked you what kind of drugs you were on and laughed. Sometimes life can shock you in all the best ways.
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This year I've made some great friends on line and I appreciate them. Being an at home mother and wife... it can get pretty lonely at times. My friends bring me joy, happiness, and closeness no matter how many miles we're living apart. To my long time friends, I think it's wonderful that no matter how much distance is between us, no matter how much time can sometimes pass when life keeps us from talking... how we can pick right back up when we're chatting away like we were never separated at all. My life is a better place because of all of you so I'm so glad to have had this time with you in 2009.
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My children are all happy and healthy. Our youngest is in kindergarten now. He amazes me and I feel such gratitude when I look at him. To understand, I need to share this story with you. I had a really difficult pregnancy with him, had to be on bed rest for 4 months, and at 32 weeks into my pregnancy I started hemorrhaging. I nearly died and thank you to anyone who donates blood because it saved my life. 6 units of blood, 4 units of plasma is why I'm still here. Our son was on life support for a week, he had a severe brain bleed, had to have surgery on his lung twice... and he spent the first month of his life in NICU. The doctors were pretty grim about his future. All that mattered to us was that he live but I have to admit it was rough when they said he'd never walk, talk, or have a normal life. Mr. Laurann was my rock. He's an amazing man who not only was strong enough to face everything bad life threw at us but kept hold of my hand helping me through it all as well. They started intense 3x's a week therapy on my son right after he came home from the hospital. My son takes after my husband. Strong, determined, and he never listens when people try to put limits on him. LOL.
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I'm sharing all of this with you because this is the year my 5 year old son started kindergarten with other 5 year olds. He didn't walk until he was 2 but at 3 he could run. He didn't talk until he was 2 but at 5... you can't shut him up unless you bribe him with chocolate. LOL. They told us his brain was damaged from the brain bleed but that kid is so damn smart it's not funny so he worked around it. They said he'd never be normal and they were right because he's not normal, he's exceptional! He fought hard to get past his disabilities with a lot of therapy both physically and mentally... and this year is amazing to me because when he's with other kids his age... he's just like them now. He's perfect. He's a typical 5 year old who argues with me, drives me nuts sometimes, and can destroy a room in minutes flat in his eagerness to play like every other 5 year old. So yeah, this year is really special to me and I'm so grateful and it's worth the mention because this is the year he tackled his last hurdle to catch up with kids his age. He won his battle.
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I'm also really proud of my three daughters. They didn't have medical dramas, I'm so grateful for that too, but they show me what smart, compassionate, wonderful people they are turning out to be. I couldn't ask for better kids and I couldn't be more grateful for their health and happiness. They've all worked hard too with their brother and deserve every bit of praise because they sacrificed having a 'normal' life for a while. I know it wasn't always easy on them having a younger sibling who needed so much time and attention but they took it in stride and helped with his therapy by making it into fun games. This year marks the first year for us in a long time where life just was... life. Not perfect but just... normal. And it was wonderful! I look forward to normal again next year!!!
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As for Mr. Laurann and I... that whole keeping us close worked out well. I'm willing to fight to keep the love and passion between us and he's willing to meet me wherever that goes. Bedroom. Kitchen. Living room. (Sorry, I couldn't resist saying it...LOL) He's there with me. I lost 30 pounds this year. I'm very lucky to have a terrific man who loves me no matter what the scale says and he's always made me feel sexy but losing some weight made me believe him a little more when he tells me I look great. LOL. I have 25 pounds more to go. I wore a size 3 prior to kids. A size 5 after the first 2. Then went to a size 20 after child #3 followed quickly after child #4 and the resulting bed rest with my son, the recovering I had to do both mentally and physically after his birth. I'm really proud of myself this year because it wasn't easy to lose the weight but I stuck to it and I did lose 30. I just bought a dress and it was even a little baggy... at a size 12! I have a ways to go but... YEAH!!!
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So... to close... what I'm looking forward to in 2010 is losing that last 25 pounds, enjoying my 'normal' family to the fullest, I'm going to become a grandmother in March! I'm going to turn 40 in June and I'm looking forward to it because I feel so much younger that it is kind of cool to me. Wow. Who knew I'd make it this far. LOL. Every year is a gift. I look forward to writing more books and getting them out there! I love writing and feel lucky to have the support I have and the time to fulfil my dreams. I look forward to another year with Mr. Laurann and having the time of my life with him. LOL. I wish everyone a Happy New Year!

6 comments:

  1. What a wonderful, uplifting story. I have tears. Here's hoping next year is just as full and rich as this one has been. I'm so glad we are friends.

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  2. Thank you,Regina. I cried a little writing it. LOL. I'm so glad we're friends too! Happy New Year!!!

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  3. Such a moving, positive story. Happy New Year...hope it's another great one for you. :)

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  4. Cari, thanks! I hope 2010 is awesome for you as well!!!

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  5. wonderful story Laurann =)
    I kinda know how you feel with having a daughter with medical problems as well. It's a tough tough journey, so happy you've triumphed!

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  6. Thanks Mel. I hope it turned out as well with your daughter or that it will. Happy New Year!

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