2010

here is what I would like to see take place this year...

I would like to learn to paint.... and become good at it.
I hope to take drum lessons.. and get a set of drums.. suppose I should get the set of drums first, then lessons.
I want my butt to be smaller... ugh... always on my list.
I would like to trade in my van.. she is getting grumpier in her old age.... but what would I get? not a van!
I would like to make it to New York and Chicago... just for fun. Why not?
I would like to work towards running a 5K with Joel... hahahahaha.. seriously, we would like to ... we shall see if that actually happens.
I hope to make it through my big blue theology book...... I love theology.. need to make more time for it.
I am looking forward to a year of teaching my girls more important life lessons... Nevaeh has such a kind and big heart.... I am looking forward to seeing how much that grows in the year.... as for Jesslyn, she has a ways to go still.... she still thinks the world revolves around her. :)

I am not much of a "goal" oriented person... but love to reflect and look back and am always looking for ways that I can be better as a wife and mother. Hopefully my blog this next year will not have to be full of ranting and raving over stupid people... although sometimes it is the only way I can get out some frustration.

All that to say... HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009

Just taking a little time to look back over this past year.... it was awful in many ways, but in many ways it was a great year.

*My sister and her family are home for the year from Africa~ got to visit a few times, go to Sunriver with them, and they came here for the 4th of July. Many memories made. Precious cousin time that will stay with my kids for many years.
*Joel is working hard at Trader Joes~ we are so thankful for his position and for such a great job.
*My kids are happy and healthy... not one sickness (other than a puke here or two and snotty noses)... not one trip to the doctor.
*Joel and I are loving each other more every day... never perfect, but so great to love each other and to have a marriage that continues to get stronger.
*Nevaeh's reading has grown by leaps and bounds... it has been a struggle for her.... but she is now enjoying it even more than ever... patience has truly paid off for the both of us.

I know there are several other things I can add to the list.... and as of a few days ago, I was not really looking forward to a new year.. but for some reason, this morning I feel as though I am ready. I am looking forward to another great year of focusing on what truly matters in life.. valuing those I love more than the material things around me, teaching my children those valuable life lessons that will help them to love themselves, each other, others, and God all the days of their lives. Many of my friends have lost loved ones in the past two weeks, which is never easy .. especially during this season..... but it is a reminder of what is truly important in life. I do not want to live a life wasted... it could be gone from me at any second. I hope and pray that I can focus on the good in this new year.

My heart is sad... and there is nothing I can do about it. I hate injustice... especially towards innocent children.

I do not like when Christmas comes to an end. I still want to watch Christmas movies and listen to Carpenter's Christmas. I am not a fan of January. It is too long, with nothing to look forward to.

Christmas Morning

Pictures will come in the next few days.... but presents have just been opened, the house is a mess of wrapping and bows, and the kids are going to be content with their toys... at least until lunch.
Yesterday, I took the girls to a church in Cincinnati to watch their Christmas presentation. It was amazing and totally creative and entertaining with a great message. Then, the girls and I headed to ihop for lunch, then to Target for a few last minute things. Then Joel got home from a busy day at work and Uncle Jesse arrived.... we ate Mexican steak and then headed to a local church's Christmas Eve service... then followed by looking at lights.
The girls woke up pretty early this morning... all excited! A bike, a scooter, a thousand DS games, snuggies, and more! Lots of fun... and we were able to do it while ichatting with Joel's parents in Canada... so they could feel as though they were here. Gotta love technology! Well, off to more fun with the family, an amazing Trader Joe's ham... and lots of desserts. MMM.... Merry Christmas everyone. Enjoy those you love today!

While making cookies with the girls this morning, a random thought ran through my head. When I was old enough to drive, or leave the house with friends, my mom would always say to me "remember who you are and who you represent"... I am sure there were times I did not pay much attention to that or even may have rolled my eyes (shame on me).... but this statement is powerful to me. Many people go around life, doing things and making choices without caring one bit about how it makes them look, or how it may ruin their integrity. I know we need to be confident to a certain extent....... that we should not care what people think, but there is also a way that we should deeply care what others think. It amazes me that some people think they have the right to treat others like crap.
I am so glad my parents taught me to respect myself enough to put others first.

I am sitting here, watching it snow a little.... while drinking my coffee. Perfect morning. Now time to read in Luke. Time to really think about why this season is so special.

Aren't you glad I didn't rant and rave over maddening things today?! :)

wah wah wah..... blah blah blah!

Kids are not stupid... they are smarter than we give them credit for. I hate it when people are so sucked into their own lives and self that they cannot put their kids above their own stupid actions. Blah. Bad choices effect so many people.... shouldn't we learn that when we are two....???? why do some adults not know this? I am going to make sure my kids know that when they screw up or are selfish, it effects not just them.. but MANY people. Ugh.. I feel better.

This upcoming week....

I am really looking forward to this week leading up to Christmas. Even though Joel will be working 12 hour days, 9 days straight, the girls and I make the most of it and keep busy with our own little holiday traditions. Here is a few things we always do...
1. make my Grandma Betty's sugar cookies... Jesslyn overloads on sprinkles.
2. decorate gingerbread houses!
3. drive around looking at Christmas lights.
4. they always get new jammies for Christmas eve and open up one gift on that night.
5. we watch every Christmas movie out there..... except for the Lifetime channel ones... they drive me crazy.
6. we read through the book "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"
7. we attend the candlelight service at church (which was today) and Santa was waiting in the foyer to give us candy!
8. we always make a batch of my aunt Roberta's white chocolate trail mix!
9. nonstop Christmas music is playing... good thing Joel is at work, he would go nuts.

I want my kids to remember these things as they get older.... and also take with them these traditions as they get older. It will be interesting to see what they keep doing as they grow into adults.

I am glad to say, I am done shopping, done wrapping, and have all the groceries for Christmas day. I plan on baking a lot with the girls this week. Should be fun, and a big mess..... and just for the record, I hate wrapping presents. It always seem so nice. I picture it in my head: music playing, candles burning, wrapping by the light of the Christmas tree.... but it is never that in reality for me. I always end up losing the tape, (usually end up sitting on it), I cut the wrong size of wrapping and have to either start all over again or try and 'patch' it up (which is tacky)... and it never looks as good as I visualize it to look. Oh well, I am done and doubt my kids will even notice.

Merry Christmas everyone... enjoy this week and the amazing reason why we celebrate this season. Remember the wise words of Linus: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]
"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

Early Christmas

Last night, my family went through the Journey to Bethlehem at a church here in town. It was such an amazing experience. My girls loved it and could not wait to see baby Jesus at the end of the journey. Then we headed to my mom's house for taco soup and to open presents! We gave my sister's kids a Wii.... hopefully that will give them lots to do in Africa the next four years! My girls got a Playmobil animal clinic.... so great. They love it. It was great to get this time with my family... lots of memories made. I am so blessed... amazing family and friends. We are truly having a wonderful Christmas time!

Longview

I am in the beautiful and yet very cold Pacific Northwest! I have been here for one week today.... and it has not rained once! Blue skies... and extremely COLD. We are having a great time so far. Lots of cousin time.... sugar cookies.... and Christmas cheer. I love my family. We are quirky and fun. (at least we think we are fun, I guess that is all that matters).

On another note, it came out this last week that Tiger Woods has been cheating on his wife. Nothing disgusts me more than rich men, who do things that should negate them from being called MEN. Real men do not have multiple women and do not continually lie. His sponsors are dropping him, his life is falling apart.... and all for a few moments of pleasure. What a sad thing.

Man, I wish I had an opinion about things.

Fa la la la la

This is by far one of the best Christmas movies ever. Joel and I are watching it right now- the girls don't seem to think it is as funny as we do!