Another year is dawning...

So it's now 12:07 - i didn't wait up on purpose to blog until this time but somehow it just happened.  My mind's a bit full of thoughts and ideas to head to bed yet - plus i have to digest the slice of sweet chili chicken broccoli sundried tomato multigrain pizza that i ate cause i was a little hungry when i got home tonight.  Silly eating pizza that late but hey, it's my birthday and i'll eat if i want to right?? 
Yes, another year is dawning (or will in a few short hours) and it's hard to review what happened in the last year and to think about what this new year may bring.  For many people, September is a new year cause school starts again and the school life cycle dominates.  Having been out of school for some years now, i don't tend to run on that level but in some ways September is a new beginning month for myself and for a few of my dear family members.  My dear mother and sisters and i have shared this month for celebration, complete with poor Mom having to put up decorations and take them down each time otherwise it wouldn't feel "special" right?  Now we are joined by little Nate who will be celebrating his first birthday - hard to believe my littlest nephew is already almost one!  Crazy how time flies. 
And i do find the older i get, the faster things go.  You turn around and it's the weekend and you turn around and it's already Friday again - and maybe that's only slightly because that's the time i get to spend with Timothy but nah, that's probably nothing to do with it right?  We have been spending a lot of time visiting various friends and relatives and sharing time with them - we just got back from a great evening with Uncle Chuck and Aunt Carol - such gracious hosts and we had a lot of great laughs and good conversation.  Each weekend we learn more about each other and about our dear friends and family.  We truly are blessed with a wonderful sense of community and love and as people have commented before, it's hard to keep the smile off my face! 
It's hard to imagine where i was a year ago today - probably enjoying the fall weather with a walk in the woods - sounds like something i would like to do.  I find it hard to do a life review, even a year review - things tend to blend into each other and i can't easily tease out what happened when and where, but i do know that there have been so many blessings in my life that it's difficult to tally them all into a comprehensive list.  God has been gracious and overabundant in His provision yet again to an undeserving child and i just have to say a prayer of thanks and gratitude for His care.  He has watched over my family, adding to it in various ways and has enriched relationships with friends, has blessed me greatly with people to be a support and encouragement in so many different ways, has granted health and strength, life and breath for each day, has filled me with a sense of awe at the ways He works, at the paths that He leads me in - truly paths of life and blessing.  I would have to say that at this time last year from where i stood, i was feeling okay with being single for the rest of my life, that it was okay if that was His plan, as hard as that was to accept.  And then a few short months later, that was all set to change unbeknownst to me.  And i'm glad i was given that peace, that comfort that no matter what happens in life, that i am special to my Lord and am His child.  And then He poured out the cup of blessing again into my overflowing vessel and said "wait, I'm not done yet working out miracles and My plans in your life" and lo and behold a connection with an old gradeschool and highschool classmate has been transformed and we have just celebrated our ninth month together.  I give thanks for Timothy, for his life, for who he is to me and for allowing us to get to know each other so much better over this year and for the future plans that are in store for us in His master plan. 
I'm going to head to bed now since it's a half hour into my birthday and if i don't want to wake up on the wrong side of the bed, i'd better get some shuteye.. Tot morgen!