The holidays are here! It’s supposed to be a time for cheer! Unfortunately there has been a few things happen that make it really hard to remain cheerful. Most importantly, the passing of Hollie Faulkner. Hollie worked the Oakley trailer at the races and was a friend to so many of us there. She was such a sweet girl and will be missed dearly. I have never visited the Oakley trailer at the races without Hollie being anything but a sweetheart to me. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family for such an overwhelming loss at Christmas time.

Losing a friend at such a young age surely is a clear reminder of how I should never take any day I have here for granted. It has made me sit back again and take some time to prioritize my life. My mom always tells me that when her time here is over, it won’t be the things that she did that she will regret, it will be the things that she didn’t do. So I have been thinking a lot about the things that I still want to do with my life. I figure there is no time like the present to get started on making my newest dreams and goals come true. So now I am looking forward to 2009 more than ever.

I recently attended a Shriners function with my dad. He is a Shriner in the New Orleans and Houma, La. Motorcycle Escort Unit. Imagine that, my dad on a motorcycle. LOL. Yep, that’s where I get it from. The Shriners are a wonderful group of people who raise money to run the Shriners Hospitals among many other things.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs.

Children up to the age of 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment at no charge – regardless of financial need.

If you know of a child Shriners Hospitals might be able to help, please call our toll-free patient referral line: In the U.S., 800.237.5055; in Canada, 800.361.7256

My dad, David Sampey, has been devoting a lot of his time to this awesome cause. I was given the privilege to attend the Shriners Christmas party with my parents. Santa arrived in his sled which was pulled by the motorcycle Shriners wearing reindeer antlers. There were lots of children and their families present to see Santa and to receive a few Christmas gifts from him. Some of the kids were Shriner Hospital patients and the rest were brothers and sisters of the patients. There were several tables set up for the kids to make different holiday things like Christmas cards, jingle bell necklaces, face painting and so on. I helped my mom and a few others to make sparkly head bands for the girls. You know I’m all about the bling! I even got to see Santa! I just love Christmas and this was a very special day indeed. I met a few of the Shriner kids including a very handsome little man named Rivers. Rivers has a wheelchair that is fast enough for the NHRA! He drives it like speed racer too. I also learned about a true inspiration named Dan Caro. His story reminds me of one of my favorite people in this world, Reggie Showers. I haven’t met Dan, but hopefully one day I will. Please check out his story by clicking on this link. http://www.dancaro.com/

I’ve recently had a lot of fans asking me about my adoption of little Abby Jo, so I wanted to give you an update on that. It is another of the reasons why it is hard for me to remain cheerful. I spoke to the adoption agency about a month ago to find out how much longer the wait would be. They told me that my estimated wait time was extended to the end of 2009. I was devastated. Last year they told me it would be the end of 2008. They are also telling me that there are no guarantees that it will indeed be next year. I have been waiting for over two years now. I started the process over three years ago. The worst part of it all is that my paper work was only good for 15 months which means that I have to renew everything. This means new health screening, blood work and physical. A new home-study, new back ground checks and financial reports. All of which will cost me around $3,000 more to be added to the over $10,000 that I have already invested and can not get back. I wish I could say that I have no doubts and that I will indeed spend the extra three grand. The decision, however, is out of my hands right now. Because I have to renew my financial statements which would show that I do not have a contract for next year, I can not continue with the adoption at this time.

Like I believe with everything else in my life, I believe that everything happens for a reason and that God has a plan for me. It’s a struggle for me at times to continue to feel this way. I am also dealing with an issue where someone who pretended to be a good person, turned on me, and is trying to hurt me, and take things from me that don’t belong to them. The worst part is that I don’t know why. I often wonder how people can be so hateful, especially during the holidays. I would like to ask you guys for your prayers. I really am struggling personally with this issue and am sorry that I can not give you the details. But I know that those of you who pray, know just how to pray to help me.

That’s about all I have for you guys right now. I hope that you guys and girls are taking some time out of your very hectic schedules to spend a few moments with your family members. Please remember Hollie and her family in your prayers and remember how short life really is. Lets not waste one minute of the time we have here. Have a blessed holiday and a very happy and safe new year.

Thanks everyone.