Happy New Year

Our New Years celebrations were fairly low key this year coming off our wild and crazy Christmas:)

We did have a special family dinner of ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls, salad and lots of "bubbly" of course for the traditional toasting!

I have yet to set my New Years Resolutions--have you?

I will have them done by this weekend for a start on Monday!

I absolutely LOVE to set goals.   I do it all the time but the new year and my birthday(end of May) are always a special time for me to sit down and really put some thought into the direction my life is going, and what I want to accomplish. 

I will set some personal goals in these areas:

 Spiritual, Physical, Mental, Social

 

Then I will break them down to what I need to do each month, week and hopefully daily.

What a blessing that each new day is a fresh start to evaluate how I am doing and what I can improve on. I want to be developing into the woman that God wants me to become.

I was thinking about how my morning and evening prayers are such a great time for this process. In the morning I can plan my day with Him and ask for guidance and help in my life especially in my role as a wife and mother.  Before bed my prayers can be a time to report back, honestly taking a look at how I did, what I could do better and seeking forgiveness as needed.    I know that Heavenly Father listens to our prayers--that He is there and cares.  When we put our trust in Him and make Him a part of our lives, He will guide us and strengthen us in miraculous ways.

And then...

 

(Print here)

 

More on goals to come:)

Welcome 2015 and all the opportunities for growth that it will surely hold for us!

words to live by...

I am letting these words run through my mind like a mantra. This sentiment sums up how I want to live my resolutions this year! Those resolutions that I have still not officially started (I know, pathetic). I will blame my lack of action on our wonky January so far. I have had way too much fun thinking about my goals... but it is time to passionately get going with all my heart!

How are your resolutions going?

2011 so far

photo

I spent the last few days packing ornaments, rolling up twinkly lights and vacuuming pine needles. I can't believe the magic of Christmas will have to wait another year. As I packed up our Christmas trimmings I couldn't help but wonder, what will our family experience before I unpack these again? Putting away Christmas always makes me a little melancholy, but as my oldest said "Even though it is sad, it kinda feels like we have breathing room again". I know what he means.

It is nice to get back to a neat and tidy home.

The last thing to take care of is our 2010 Christmas card collection. Watching the back of the door fill up has become a highlight of the season for us. I find my boys looking at all the pictures and talking about who is who and stories they have with these people that we love. Such a delight! Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to send out cards!

Tomorrow I will (hopefully) put all the pictures away in our Christmas Card Binder. I got the idea from my cute Mother-in-law. Every Christmas spent in Arizona, we have had so much fun looking thru her Christmas card albums. I have to admit I am a little behind, I have the last two years to do. At least this is one job I am looking forward to!

How is your New YEAR going?

I am getting off to a slow and easy start. I have decided that my resolutions don't officially start until next week. I still have a few more days to get organized and finish off the holiday treats:) before getting all fired up with my exciting goals!

I think 2011 is going to be a great year!

Happy happy New Year!

We had a big family New Years Eve party with lots of appetizers and treats, followed by a Sparkling grape juice toast at midnight!

We played games: Candyland with the younger crowd who went to bed at 9pm and Settlers with the older boys. And we watched LOTS of football!

I think the boys are trying to watch every single bowl game they can this weekend!


We all slept in (some later than others).
My little boys helped me make a yummy brunch for the family to kick off 2011.


Most exciting part of the morning... a family {blind} taste test between these two:
Results: The unanimous winner: Simply Orange. Mmmmm delish!



After brunch we played some basketball at the church gym. I loved it, even though I was a serious handicap for whoever got me on their team.
We are now watching more football Bowl games(of course)!



I am REALLY looking forward to writing my
New Years Resolutions tomorrow.

I have been reading this and this as I prepare. Such beautiful and inspiring thoughts.

Favorite Quote from the first article by Joseph B. Wirthlin:

"I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, noble, and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them.

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams,” wrote Henry David Thoreau, “and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”

Here is to a Happy and Successful 2011!

Twenty-Ten

There is something special about a New Year for me and especially this year because it marks a new decade. It has been good for me to reflect on the events of the past 10 years. I am grateful for the blessings and growth I have experienced over this last decade.

Our family 10 years ago. We have gotten older and added a few more boys! It looks like we were forcing the boys to be in this picture.


I have always been happiest with goals and a'To Do' list in front of me. Knowing this about myself, I welcome any oppoturnity to do just that! For me, the start of a New Year is a time to evaluate myself and see if I am on the path that will lead to the person and life I want. My intention is that my resolutions direct my weekly goals.

So here we go...

2010 New Years Resolutions

1. Create a home that is a HAVEN for my husband and family. I want my little nest to be a warm, loving place for my family to retreat and rest from the world. A place where the boys can learn and develop strong christian morals, the value of hard work and a determination to do what is right and good in the world.



2. Develop diet and exercise habits that will foster a strong and healthy body, mind and spirit. Follow the Word of Wisdom more closely. Learn more about natural remedies. Plant a garden here in Tennessee and grow my own vegetables, fruits and herbs. Run a race this summer! Anyone want to do this with me??



3. Write more...letters to family and friends (instead of only emails), love letters to my husband, thank you notes, journal enteries, and even blog posts:)



4. Get up early. Brad is really good at this. I am not. I will learn to get up early to read my scriptures, think, plan, write, and enjoy the quiet. I think starting my day with a little time by myself will be such a treat!



5. Daily Service. As a family we have discussed this article, and have committed to do a 'good turn' daily. We usually talk about it at dinner or family prayer before bed. It is so sweet to hear about the little acts of service the boys have done for others. It makes my day!



6. Learn from good books. I love to read! Lately I have been doing more of it and I want to continue this trend. First of all my days are always better when they begin with a few minutes of scripture study. I also love to read books about other cultures, periods of history, the examples of courageous, good people and grand adventures. Have any recomendations for me? I am going to read two books a month, along with daily reading from the Bible and Book of Mormon.



7. Plan more fun and creative dates with my husband and outings as a family. We need to get out and explore our new home.

8. Develop a few "skillz". I have a few items that I am not using very well and some have become an an energy drain for me as I procrastinate learning the required skills. So this year I will do it! To name a few ... photoshop elements, sewing machine, Nikon D60 camera....any helpful ideas?

9. Work on developing the quality of grace. I have always admired a person who is gracious, generous and kind in whatever circumstance they find themselves in, and to everyone irregardless of if they are deserving.

Wow--I really enjoyed writing these thoughts down. Now, as I look over this list, I think I better get busy!
Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year

5 of our 7 stayed up to toast the New Year!

Reasons...I have really enjoyed 2010 so far.

The boys didn't go back to school until the 6th and then it was cancelled again on the 7-8th because of snow (a skiff). It makes us laugh but we are not complaining:)

More time to enjoy my family in our cozy home lounging in the warmth of a fire with piles of books, and cookies in the oven. Blissfull--for me--even though I did have to require one of my boys to read --but am happy to report he did enjoy it after all!

A slow and easy start to the New Year giving me ample time to ponder my goals and dreams for 2010. I will share them next week.

Getting organized! Cleaned out my cupboards and drawers--even the craft cabinets and toy closet. I went crazy with the label maker! So fun!

I have successfully set up a new family command center for 2010 with weekly schedules/jobs/menu/scriptures & inspiring thoughts station in the Sun Room off the kitchen. I will show you next week!

And best of all...

The anticipation of my parents arrival next week for their first visit to our new home in Tennessee. I can't wait too see them. I have really missed my Mom and Dad being around the corner.

It is looking like a good year so far!