Why Not???

For the past couple of years I try not to set myself up for failure. Instead of setting New Year's resolutions I set goals for myself throughout the year. That way I don't feel so bad when a month later I've failed at all of them. OK, OK, a week later. This year I'm dedicating as my year of Why Not's. Why not try all of those things that you've always wanted to do, but haven't gotten to yet or need to get out of your comfort zone to do. I've started on my list. Now, where to start...

* Travel somewhere new

* Have another girls weekend. It's amazing what a day or two away can do for your sanity and your soul! Only 2 months ago I had my first girls weekend away and LOVED it! It reconnects you with who you are aside from being a mother and a wife. Besides, absence does make the heart grow fonder.

* Do an anonymous act of kindness. Yes it's nice to be recognized for our good deeds, but it's even more fun to do something and not tell ~ like it's your own little secret.

* Take a class for something you've never tried before. Art, photography, cooking, anything! You just might like it.

These are just a few on my list. So far I have about 25 things and will continue to add to it. I don't know if I'll get everything checked off my list, but I will have fun trying!

Another Year Has Gone By

Goodbye 2009

We’ve had many changes this year, I must say.
And for some more than others had to take it day by day.
But through all the trials we’ve received blessings it’s true!
Some we see now and others when our journey’s through.
Some have lost their jobs while others still struggle.
And hectic schedules can be difficult to juggle.
We put pressure on ourselves more than we use to.
That so many times when the night has come and our day is through,
We wonder what’s the point of it all?
And how in a world such as this can we feel so small?
The ones we loved most can betray our trust.
Within moments the life we’ve built will decay and rust.
So hard to move on, but move on we will!
And somehow when silent I feel peaceful when still.
Deep within I found my strength and my light.
For myself and my future I thought worth the fight.
Others may struggle with their health from time to time.
And thank goodness for medicine to heal us just fine!
I thank God for the challenges that we all face
For only in the midst of it all can we truly know God’s grace.
For He is my light, my beacon, my all!
And He and only He knows my life’s true call.
So here’s to a year that’s come and gone!
And here’s to the future and for some moving on!
For tomorrow looks bright and hopeful today.
Next year will be kind and undramatic I pray!

Holiday Cheer

Christmas has finally come and gone. I shouldn't say finally because it always seems to come sooner than you'd think. However, I feel like we have done just about everything possible to feel the spirit of Christmas this year. For the past month we have done the Christmas parties, gone to see The Forgotten Carols, went on the Polar Express, and saw the lights at Temple Square. If all of that combined won't get you in the Christmas mood I don't know what will!

Last weekend we had Christmas with Stella and Tristan's birth mothers. We had dinner at the Carroll's and enjoyed spending the evening visiting and watching the kids open too many presents. On Christmas Eve we made and decorated gingerbread cookies for Santa. The kids handled my cake decorating tools pretty well. Everything was a mess, but it was a lot of fun! Later we had dinner at my parents house and played games. We've started a tradition of Stella and Tristan buying and exchanging presents for one another. We think it will help them feel the joy of giving. They seemed to enjoy exchanging presents.

The kids were excited to see that Santa had eaten quite a few of their cookies and left a note. Even better was the load of presents dropped off under our tree. Stella got the fully loaded barbie house she has asked for and Tristan got an automatic nerf gun and Geo Trax airport. Not to mention a bunch of other stuff. After the presents were all opened we headed back over to my parents for breakfast and more gifts. Then over to the Duffin's to finish filling the rest of the back of the truck. Both of our parents go way overboard. I swear it looked like we were moving by how much stuff we brought home!

The day after Christmas poor Bill had to work AGAIN and so the kids and I went sledding with my family. Aside from the minor injuries and freezing weather it was a great way to end our Christmas weekend!

BELIEVE

Tonight Bill and I surprised the kids by taking them on the Heber Creeper Polar Express. Tristan loves trains so we thought this would be right up his ally. Stella has had so many fun things going on this month between her dance recital, Princess on Ice, girls-night-out and such, that we thought it would be fun to do something special Tristan would particularly enjoy. When we pulled up to the train station they both had such a look of excitement!

As soon as we left the train station Ms. Clause came on our train and served her own recipe of chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa. I even got the recipe from her! Afterwards we read The Polar Express story. Once we reached the North Pole Santa came on board. We were the last part of the train to meet him so we didn't get to see him until after we finished singing Christmas songs. Stella volunteered us to be part of the 12 Days of Christmas group.

Tristan was a little nervous at first when he saw Santa, but after I explained that he didn't have to sit on his lap he was OK. All the kids on board received the first gift of Christmas ~ a bell. The kids were so happy afterwards and had such a good time on the train. It was very worth the trip! We definitely believe in the spirit of Christmas!

Santa Clause is coming to town!

Saturday evening we went to my parents ward for their Christmas dinner. My dad is the bishop so we like to go and support him ~ especially if we know Santa is going to be there! We didn't make it to our ward's breakfast since we were gone for our anniversary and thought this would be a good way to avoid dragging the kids to the mall to see Santa. Anyway, when we got there we had a short program in the chapel and watched a video of the wise men following the star to find baby Jesus. It brought tears to my eyes to see how much Stella knew about the story of Jesus' birth. And when she saw Mary holding her new baby Stella said, "Jesus is so beautiful!" She is so right! He is beautiful. It makes me feel good to see the love she already has for Jesus and to see how much she is learning! I love her unquestioning faith! There is so much we can learn from children.



At dinner time Santa made his appearance and came around to greet the kids. Tristan wasn't quite sure about the strange looking guy, but he did shake his hand. When we went to line up to sit on Santa's lap Tristan refused to sit on his lap. We knew this would be his reaction. Stella was good and sat on his lap and told him what she wanted, but was pretty shy. Tristan wouldn't tell him what he wanted, but he did give him knuckles and got his little gift bag from Santa. He was pretty funny!



We cashed out on winning gifts too! My mom and I beat out the rest of the group on one of the quizzes. Granted I had a little help from the bishop on two of the answers, but he just confirmed what we were already thinking! I tried to let someone else win with the tie-breaker question. It was what is Bishop Robbins' first name. He goes by Steve, but his real name is Jon. When the guy guessed James I corrected him and won the prize. Stella also won one of the jars of candy that people had to guess how many pieces of M&M's were in the jar. She was pretty happy to walk away with that prize! I felt a little guilty taking prizes from a ward I don't even belong to, but what can you do!

"Such stuff as dreams are made on." William Shakespeare

This past December 1st marks mine and Bill's 10 year wedding anniversary! It has been an amazing decade full of joy, laughter, memories, and surprises. We have been so blessed in our marriage. We certainly don't have a perfect marriage (and anyone who says they do is a liar), but at the end of the day we are still happy to be with one another and love each other more now than ever before.

Tuesday we went out to dinner and brought the kids with us. There was nothing romantic about it, but I have to say as I watched the kids swarm around Bill on his side of the boothe, it occurred to me that this is what I dreamed about before I got married! I'm so grateful! I have a wonderful, loving husband and two beautiful children who we both adore. It doesn't get much better than this! (An extra Million might make things a little better!)

Every year we escape even if its just for a night and go somewhere. This year we went to the Armstrong Mansion uptown. We had been there once before and enjoyed it. Our room was really nice. It was definitely a step up from our room last year at the Homestead with the stuffed animals on the bed! We went to dinner before checking in and luckily beat the dinner rush. Then Saturday we finished up some Christmas shopping and went to a movie. It was a relaxing get-away and something we look forward to every year. Before we even got married we made a pact to make time with one another and celebrate our anniversary away from the kids. We have been fortunate to have family willingly watch our kids and have been able to do this every year!

So happy anniversary to my sweetheart! I love you Bill! Thanks for the past 10 years and I look forward to an eternity with you!!!