A Very Happy Christmas!

Merry Christmas 2006!

Another year's almost over, and as always, it seems to have flown by. And, oh, what a year it's been. I got engaged to the most wonderful woman, I got promoted ahead of my own schedule (and much earlier than most AF folk do), I got to have my parents, my future in-laws, my Love, and my best friend all in one place to start off the year. I got to go back to school and help further my career, and make some great contacts in my line of work (civilian and military), I got to see and live n a new country, and I got to wrap up the year by talking with my family.
I got the greatest gift af all this year. I got family. Of course, I've had that gift every year, but this year, it's closer to my heart...and more important than ever.
I discovered this year, that family is the most important thing there is. I know, it seems like THAT'S a no brainer, but it took some very important people, and one all-powerful diety, to help me see the light. I've always given myself over to others, to help make their lives better, but it was always my family that suffered. I spent too little time with my parents when I was helping my friends, I spent too little time with my true friends, when strangers needed my help, and I spent too little time with my Love, when work needed my help. It took divine inspiration, to help me see that I was living to work, and not the other time around.
I also decided this year, to grow up a little, financially (though if you ask my Mom, I'm still overspending). But, it's thanks to her, that I'm as close to being done as I am...she has helped me along every step of the way, and even let me hurt myself (financially - and by that I mean she hasn't stopped me, just warned me agains my spending habit), just to feel the pain and get back on track. I've always told myself that I would be out of debt before I got married, so as to not bring my debt to my wife, and ask her to help me pay for my past mistakes. So, I've taken steps, and advice, on how best to eliminate this debt before July. I'm also enrolled in Financial Peace University - and for you high school to college age kids out there, I reccommend it. "I wish I'd listened to my parents when I was your age." They taught me how to live without relying on credit, and I rebelled...and now I'm paying for it. Like my Dad used to say, "If you don't have the cash to get it, you really don't need it." Now, I'm enrolled in a class to teach me the same thing, only THIS time, I'm paying attention, because I'm paying for it!

To be honest, this post was going to simply say, "Merry Christmas 2006!" But, then I thought about what this year meant to me, and there you have it. Family. Family, and money...well, Family, and saving money to start up a NEW family. So, I guess, I'll be redundant once more, and say...FAMILY!

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Listen to Baz Luhrman's "Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen." I's the song that sums up my past week...getting and giving advice.

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THANKS DAD! That was the absolute best thing you could have ever said to me.! And you did! (trying not to cry, and failing miserably right now)

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Merry Christmas, and Happy 2007 to each and every one of you.
God Bless!



ULI