Another New Year

I really see January as the middle of the year, not the beginning. I don't really do major resolutions but I love to set goals and I guess it is as good a time as any. In 2011 I hope to do many things different. Aside from the birth of my dear sweet Buster boy, I can't say a whole lot terrific about 2010. In 2011 I hope to:

• Make Bible time a priority. I feel better when I have this time consistently and only I can do this for myself.


• Exercise regularly. It's amazing the difference this has made even in the last month or so. I love the way I feel when I am in shape. Again this is something only I can do.


• Spend more quality time with the kids. Sure I spend a great quantity of time with them, but they're getting older every day.


• Date my husband more often. We NEVER go out. This has to change. For both of us.


• Have people take more pictures with ME in them. I am always the photographer so I don't know that anyone will ever believe I ever existed.


• Read more books. Go to the library more. I love to read and don't make nearly enough time for it. I should add, for the whole family, less T.V.

I'm sure I will think of more and the more positive changes I can make the better. These are just the things I think of right off hand. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Year's!!

Here's a start to the whole photos of myself thing. Not a great one, but Midge took this pic as I typed this post. Very fitting I suppose!

Feeling Cheery

Today was a good day. We have had a really fun Christmas vacation as a matter of fact. Last night my little sister spent the night and the kids of course had a blast. They were up late and then up early this morning ready to go! After I had them all showered and fed we went to the store so that the girls could spend their gift cards they got from grandparents. Buster had already chosen a Woody doll and a new outfit. Well, I suppose I chose for him, but still his card was spent.

The shopping trip was a success. All of the sales were fabulous and each kid got several things. They even had enough money left over for some candy at the register, which for my kids is a major treat! Then to top it all off, the King called and said he was on his way home early. He's working in Denver so it's a long drive, but still good news. Plus he has tomorrow off paid! Yay, that is fantastic news. Dinner is ready and in the oven, the kids will be tuckered out tonight, we get to sleep in tomorrow. It doesn't get much better than that!

Playing

We've had a really good time doing just that lately. I think over the years I have gotten better and better at buying toys that the kids will really actually "play"with. My youngest kids are better "players" too, and I'm not really sure why.

These two LOVE to just play. They can make a game out of just about anything and do so very often. They love dolls, pretend cell phones, barbies, stuffed animals, and backpacks most of all. It gives me joy to watch them!

Normal

If you can call it that I guess. We always take our decorations down before the New Year. I just like to start things out fresh. This year I've felt more pressed for time with the way the Holidays fall. There was no complete weekend in between to get it all done. Today I just decided the sooner the better. It was actually a lot less overwhelming than it seemed at first. The kids were sad to see it all come down, but I tried to remind them of the things we have to look forward to.

We don't have any major plans for New Year's Eve. Just the normal snack foods and staying up way past bed time. I am definitely looking forward to 2011!

Holiday Hangover

No matter how I try to avoid it, the day after Christmas always seems to bring with it a feeling of blah. Maybe it's the complete lack of sleep. Perhaps an end to the weeks upon weeks of plans and activities. Who knows? It is what it is I suppose. So today will consist of a lot of movie watching, Wii playing, even more eating, and maybe if I'm really lucky some napping.

The kids will enjoy the time with their new toys and each other. I seriously think siblings are the best gift we ever could have given them by the way....

Oh yeah, and of course Chiggie will be watching Grease. And when she's not watching Grease she'll be listening to the soundtrack on her new mp3 player. I suppose 9 is the new 13????

Christmas Day

After an extremely late night we got a very early start to the day. I couldn't help but smile when I heard how excited the girls were. They simply could not wait any longer. I broke the oldest rule in the book and woke the baby, but I didn't want him to miss out on the excitement. I was glad I did because he got right in on the action.

We spent the entire day home together and it was fabulous. This evening we headed over to my Mom's house for a prime rib dinner. It was delicious and the girls had fun playing. It really seems like things get more meaningful and better every year. I hope you all had a wonderful day as well!

Christmas Eve

What a busy day we had today. It went very smoothly though I must say. It started early for me when I went ahead and got our grocery shopping and a few last minute items first thing this morning. I was surprised at how busy the store was, but luckily there were plenty of checkers and I got right in and out.

The rest of the day was spent cleaning up the house and watching Christmas shows. The girls were too excited to really do much else. This evening everyone got all dressed up in their Christmas outfits for the candlelight service at church.

The three older girls sang for the service and they did a beautiful job.


Afterwards we came home and ate subs from Subway. Then the kids got to open up a present each (Christmas PJ's and we surprised them with pillow pets.

I would say Bussy is having a great 1st Christmas!



Lastly we headed outside to sprinkle some food for Santa's reindeer.

We're all very excited for tomorrow and so thankful for the gift God gave all of us!