two.thousand.thirteen.

2013.  What a year you were!

I do remember on January 1st of 2013, I wrote and thought about how awesome this year will be, seeing as how 13 is my lucky number.  This year has brought many experiences but all in all, it truly was awesome.

Let me tell you about some things that I learned this past year, and yes, some things are about myself.

1.  I am one tough b!tch.  No other way to put it quite frankly.  I went through the trenches emotionally and mentally this year, and I am still proudly standing right freaking here.

2.  To get the negative out of your life, is really quite easy.  Say goodbye to the people or things that are so negative and move on.  Just move on and don't look back.  What is coming in the future is far better than dwelling on the past.

3.  With our summer sadness, I learned a lot about the people I surround myself with.  I saw people's true colors and then I was able to keep surrounding myself with them or not.

4.  Losing a child, no matter how big or small or young or old they are, flat out sucks.  I also learned how many people have had to experience that and I can see how it has changed them.  You become a bit hardened and yet can crumble at any unexpected point in the day.  But each of those people that I learned about, always found a way to pick themselves up and keep going.  That is strength right there.

5.  There is a big difference between 21 year olds and 30 year old.  BIG difference!  I thank those of you who continued to be my friend when I was 21/22, ha!

6.  Blood is thicker than water, and remember where your loyalties stand...I was feelin' my Italian roots on that one.  How badly I want to be a mafia princess;)

7.  Raising a child is frigging tough work.  Cheers to the single mommies and daddies out there.  I don't know how you do it independently!

8.  Terrible twos are for realsies.

9.  Music is therapy.  I always knew that, but this year, music has done so much for me.  Made me cry when I needed to, dance when I needed to, get angry when I needed to and watching Piper move her cute lil tushy to the beat of a song melts me to my core.

10.  True friendships are like gold.  I hold all of my dearest friends so close to my heart and I love that true friends can tell you to knock off your shit, laugh with you until you cry, send you snail mail since you love receiving packages, will answer the phone when you call at 3 am, cry and pray with you when you are down and out, or get ya liquored up and get in trouble with you.

11.  Think before you speak.  Like, all the frigging time.

12.  One of the hardest things to do in the entire world, is drop your child off at preschool that first week.  Just rip my heart out and stomp on it, why don't you?!

13.  Life is too short to stress about all the bullshit.  Just enjoy.

I have learned much more than that this year, but I feel it appropriate to stop at lucky number 13.

January 1st, 2013 I thought all positive things would happen.  Here on December 31st, 2013-my due date-I realize that this has been the roughest year of my life, but dammit it was a beautiful ride.  Here's to you 2013.  I have a smile on my face, tears rolling down my cheeks and a middle finger up in the air at ya.  You devilish 2013.  You were a year we will never forget.  CHEERS!