funny to me

I know it's the third, but well, I couldn't resist.

Already eating sugar again.

twenty eleven

I spent the day yesterday in bed, well, all expect for the time I spent helping Tess with her science project, sick with a headache and sore throat, taking it easy so hopefully I would be able to celebrate the new year with style today. Happily it worked. I am feeling more myself, even though I could go for a nap right now.

Anyway, it gave me amble time to think about this past year -- my ups and downs, the goals I saw through and the ones where I fell short. I thought about this new year, 2012, my hopes and dreams. What I want to accomplish, and where I want to be at years end.



This past year, 2011, I spent my days focused on living my truth and after thinking it through yesterday I will say I am pleased with my efforts. I mean, of course there is a lot I hoped I would do differently -- I wanted to do more projects, get off sugar, I need to do better at focusing on the light, and I'm still haunted with the same lessons time and again, but it was definitely an abundant year full of growth and goodness. Friendships were strengthened, dreams came true, and I was again reminded how much we need one another.

I think that was one of the biggest lesson I learned or I should say was reminded of because I've learned it plenty, that life was not meant to be journeyed alone and we certainly can't do it without each other. And you know what, I'm glad because I don't want to. Another big lesson I learned was living my truth took courage, but when I let go of my fears and focused on the light added strength was given to me and I was able to do what I needed/wanted.

Tonight I will be ending the year full of gratitude in my heart for the individuals (some new, some old) that made an impact on my life, for the continued closeness that I found with Adam, for the bonds I forged with my girls, and for all the lessons I learned, even if for the fourth or fifth time, that I will take with me as I continue on with twenty twelve.

Happy New Year friends! May this new year bring with it an abundance of joy and goodness.

xoxo

last few days

So I've successfully started the new year, but if I would have blogged on January 1st you most definitely would have gotten a different story. No, the new year didn't start out as I had planned. It's so funny how great I felt on the 31st and then on the 1st like everything was falling apart around me. Yes, I did have Megan to help put me in that mood and luckily was able to get a good night rest and feel like new again by the 2nd. So, apparently the year wasn't lost afterall.

1. Our Christmas decorations are officially boxed up and we are now completely immersed in the new year. I got a few grumbles last night when we talked about going back to school. I for sure thought they would be stoked after so much time, but Bella insisted she wanted to stay home and spend more time with her family. Problem is her family will all be in school.

2.


We have been lucky enough (or not) to hear the guitar strumming throughout our house since Christmas. Tess got a guitar from Santa and if Tess isn't playing it Megan is (to Tess' dismay). It's unfortunate that neither of them know how to play, but I must say it is very tempting to give Tess lessons so I can learn as well. I would love to learn to play the guitar this year, but I'm not holding my breathe. Any instrument would take a lot of dedication...dedication I'm not sure I'm ready to give.

3.


It's a funny scene for me to watch the three of them crowd around the computer together waiting their turn. I've noticed if left to play on there own, no one watching, they don't play long at all. Being together is a good system.

4.

[iphone]

Adam, Bella, and I went to see the Body World exhibit. It was to say the least, amazing. I have always been fascinated with the human body and it certainly took me back to my times in the anatomy lab. Of course the exhibit was way cooler than just an lab. A few of the stand outs for me was the dissection of all the blood vessels in the face. They were so fine and detailed that you could actually see all the contours of the face. Also the exhibit of the miracle of life touched me. I've only seen pictures, but it's a whole different experience in person. You cannot believe just how human like the fetus is at the end of 9 weeks. If you ever have the chance to see this exhibit in your city go, it's so worth the time and money.

5. I've done four loads of laundry, cleaned two bathrooms, and been to three stores today.

6.

[samsung S860]

Last, but not least...Bella got a camera for Christmas and has been carrying it around with her. I haven't look through the photos until today and found several photos of girls doing silly things. This one is at her cousin Whitney's house and Whitney must have taken it because she's the only one not in the photo. I can't wait to see her world through her photos this coming year.

a closer look

It's always around this time, as it is with most people, that I reevaluate my goals and make new ones or keep the old ones that are incomplete. It was a little discouraging for me to see many of my goals for 2008 go unfinished. Then I heard this quote on Sunday and it really struck a chord with me.

I do not believe that any man lives up to his ideals, but if we are striving, if we are working, if we are trying, to the best of our ability, to improve day by day, then we are in the line of our duty. If we are seeking to remedy our own defects, if we are so living that we can ask God for light, for knowledge, for intelligence, and above all, for His Spirit, that we may overcome our weaknesses, then, I can tell you, we are in the straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal. Then we need have no fear.

- Heber J. Grant (April 1909)

My brain works in lists and I much prefer to add something to my list so I can check it off and move on. I'm now realizing many of my goals are a process and can't just be check off a list and forgotten about. It doesn't matter how long it takes me to finish as long as it's something I'm continually working towards. So instead of getting discourage when I look at my list, I am now happy about the strides I've made this year (2008) and feel encouraged to keep on moving....keep on trying. For instance, I was hoping to be able to run a 10k by the end of the year. Unfortunately I am far from it, but I did start running and can now run for 10 mins, walking 1 min 3x (does that make sense?). So I am progressing and that's all that matters because we all work at different paces. And it may take me another year to work up to a 10k, but who cares how long it takes as long as I'm trying.



It's a shame some goals can't just be crossed off our list, but I believe it's the doing that makes the difference in helping shape us into the individuals we want to become. I have a lot of work to do and I know I could try even harder to do my best, but I won't let myself get discouraged. I have such a positive outlook on this new year...I feel like the skies the limit and that anything is possible.

Where ever you find yourself tonight when the clock strikes 12...be safe, have fun, and by all means have a Happy New Year!

resolution...INTENTIONS

I like the way Ali Edwards put it in the January 2006 Creating Keepsakes...think of resolutions as intentions. I truly need to be honest with myself and look at my track record. I have not been so great in the past about completing my goals. So I find in more fitting to say intentions and then I won't feel so guilty if I don't get to them all.

Here it goes.

1. Positive Positive Positive.
2. Read the Scriptures with my family everyday.
3. Hold regular FHE...every Monday night.
4. Do a Layout/Project once a week.
5. Try a new recipe every 2 weeks. (i'm being realistic)
6. Read my Sunday School lesson every week even though I don't get to go.
7. Stay on top of my fly lady goals...organization.
8. Continue to read and educated myself in the things i am interesed in like photography.
9. Attend the temple once a month.
10. Continue to write my thoughts so to be more comfortable with me.
11. Stop talking and just do. ACTION!


Sure feels good to get it out there. Here's to keeping my Intentions and really striving to be a different, better, more unique me.