Happy New Year 2026

Happy New Year everyone!

Welcome to yet another year. We’ve said goodbye to one heck of a crazy 2025, and we are embarking yet still on unchartered territory with so much uncertainty for this upcoming year. But you know what? We need to look to forward, not behind and enjoy the journey.

I think I can confidently say, this is the first time in my life that I am excited about the unknowns. I’m excited about new beginnings. John and I bought our first home together and we officially closed escrow on December 30th, then, when I thought I couldn’t be soaring any higher above cloud 9, my son Tommy surprised me with a gift that he said he had promised me when he was still a little boy.

I don’t remember his promise to me, but he did. He said to me today, “Mom, when I was really little, I remember you saying how much you wanted a jeep. Dad wouldn’t let you have one, so I promised you when I grew up, I would buy you one. Today’s that day. Here’s your new jeep.”

Isn’t she a beauty? The icing on the cake was when my daughter-in-law texted me and said, “wow mom, a new house and a new jeep all in one day? I couldn’t think of anyone else in the world who deserves to be happy and to receive two incredible gifts from the two men who love and adore you most.”

My heart is overflowing with so much gratitude, not only to John and Tommy, but to God. I can’t help but wonder what I did in this life to receive such blessings. To be loved this much.

Believe me when I say it’s not about the gifts in themselves, but the love that went into them. John made it possible for us to have a home of our own. Tommy held onto a promise that I had forgotten about completely and gave me a gift from a place in his heart that only a mother of a son can understand.

Tonight, as John and welcomed in the New Year, sitting on our new balcony, I knew everything was just right. We have an amazing home, and it feels like home, and I can’t wait to get moved in completely.

I don’t do well with change. It takes me a moment to adjust to everything new and tonight; Ms. Caliente embraced me. My home wrapped her positivity around me and said, you’re home.

John and I went to the Home Depot, and I bought him his first lime tree, something he’s wanted for a very long time. He was so cute trying to decide between two lime trees which one would come home with us. He took his time researching which of the two trees was the best and healthiest. In the pouring down rain, the love of my life researched which tree suited him best. After about an hour, he chose and now, Ms. Lime is getting watered by the rain from heaven in our new backyard.

Of course, John realized once we were home that we needed to have one more lime tree in order for Ms. Lime to produce. So, with my new jeep, it will be so much easier to go and get the other wonderful lime tree that was almost chosen. Only problem with a second lime tree is, I need to decide if I want them to make their home out front. Or out back. Either way, I won’t be diggin’ any holes for at least two months.

I forgot to tell you all, I had my hiatal hernia surgery last week. That’s the reason I’ve been so absent. The recovery hasn’t been super easy. I haven’t had any solid food since December 6th. I had to be on a clear liquid diet prior to surgery and for two weeks after surgery, then, I move up to pureed foods such as mashed potatoes, and some rice and pasta. I’m not exactly sure how my body will react to anything of substance next week, but hey, I’ll give it a try. January 6th will be the first time I’ll have had food in over a month.

Tonight, I was given two incredible gifts from above. I was reminded by two men who I love beyond measure how much I’m loved. If it weren’t for God, I wouldn’t have received such blessings in my life.

It’s not the material things; it’s the blessings and gifts from the heart that have made everything possible.

John said the last 8 years have been his Job moment. Perhaps they were mine too. Every day that we crept closer to closing on our new home John would thank God for the house that would become a home. Tonight, John said he never thought it would be possible for us to purchase another home in So Cal, but we did. We had help and the gratitude we have for all the help we received will forever be etched in both our hearts.

Our new home isn’t the biggest. It’s not the smallest, but it suites us just fine. It’s ours and we have forever to make it exactly what we want it to be. I look forward to each day being in my yard, spending time in nature and taking care of all the incredible plants and trees God’s giving me to care for. I am excited to have a big backyard for Molly and Oreo to run around in, playing and chasing each other. I’m excited to sit on our balcony and listen to the world around us. I’m excited to sit and watch sunsets with John. I’m excited to have our kids come over for game nights and bar-b-ques. I’m excited to gather with family and friends in the calm of our backyard and I pray I never lose this feeling of gratitude for the gifts and many blessings He’s bestowed upon me. I pray that each day, every day that I never forget what the peace of home, family and friends feels like.

I pray that for the rest of my life, I can give to others from my heart, the way God’s given to John and me. The way John’s given to me, the way the boys have given to me, all of them and the way John’s mom and dad have given to me, to us. The many blessings of friendships that have grown through the last few months. I have so much to be thankful for and now, John and I can welcome all our loved ones, family, friends and framily into our home and shower them with the love that we feel in our hearts, because each and every one of them, of you, are a true blessing in our lives.

Thank you 2025 for showing me that I can persevere. It was a hard year and one I wasn’t sure I would make it through, but here we are. Here I am. I welcomed 2026 with John in our new home. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to enter the new year.

I’m sure this year will have challenges of its own, and that’s okay. As long as I can stay close to my creator, things will work out just the way He wants them to.

photo credit above: unknown, but not my photo, but the words ring true in my heart but were written by anonymous.

Well guys, it’s now 2:45 a.m. I’m finally tired, so, I think I’ll hit the hay. I’ve got a lot to get done before our official moving day.

Much love and hugs to you all. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to read this morning’s blog. It feels good to be back at my computer writing. I can’t wait to interact more this year.

Until next time, don’t forget, Love Life++ Hugs.