Just Dance

What do you do when it is 7 degrees outside?

JUST DANCE!!!

 

After playing Just Dance 2 last night at Tami's house for Alyssa's 17th birthday party, Max and Markus used their allowance and talked me into taking them to buy the game for the Wii tonight. Max was excited to get his homework done so that I could take him as soon as I came home from teaching. He really likes it and, it is kind of fun to get up and dance with the boys all over the family room. Max's friend Killian and even Morgen joined in!

I {heart} you

{Every year since Markus was born, I have put up heart's in the windows}

Well, it finally happened!

I put up my Valentine's Day decorations.

{I love putting up my decorations as each holiday comes.}

Not that I have that many for Valentine's day (Or "Love Day" as Markus calls it). Markus was born at 4:23 a.m. on the 15th of February, so he naturally thinks that all the hearts are because I love him. Which I do, and they are. 

 

Which speaking of Valentine's Day, I am looking forward to the 3rd Annual Love Olympics hosted this year by my dear friend Laurie, and her husband Aaron, plus planning for Markus' 8th birthday.

Also, Markus is getting baptized early March and I am planning his announcements for family and friends invited. It will be a fun upcoming month of happy days.

And, I am almost finished with this month's project:

{If you will remember} laundry room closet.

 

{Candy Hearts- my inspiration for Valentine's Decor 2011}

Happy Monday. Seriously, happy Monday. :)



What makes you happy today?

{Markus' first day at home}

Me?

Being Markus' mom.

My Love/Hate Relationship With The Treadmill

ten things I hate about the treadmill

1. i feel dizzy and unbalanced at the start of each treadmill season while i get used to this machine again.
2. it's so loud. whether it's the churning of the belt or the slapping of my feet, the treadmill is just loud.
3. there is no variety in my workouts. that's my fault, i know, and i'm learning new workouts (see # 5 & #6 below)
4. it's hard to get a drink of water when i can't slow down just a bit. past results have included a sputtering and spilling of water down my front.
5. thoughts of a hamster running in circles often come into my head.
6. while on the treadmill at the gym i'm surrounded by mysterious smells and a workout "neighbor" who always ups their pace whenever i do.
7. i can't convince myself that this terrain is good for my body.
8. a 3-mile run feels like a 3-hour run.
9. i can't take molly with me
10. i just miss the invigorating feeling of running outside.

ten reasons i'm trying to love the treadmill

1. i live in a cold climate. winters include snow, slush, ice, wind, poor air quality and brain freezing temps.
2. i can get in a good workout anytime and i don't need to check the class schedules.
3. my current news updates are always on the tv.
4. there is less laundry. a tank top and shorts take less room in the washing machine than tights, a turtleneck, a jacket, gloves, wool socks, and a hat.
5. i can run hill repeats without first running 5 miles to the nearest hill.
6. with the variety of treadmill settings, my legs may actually get a better workout than outside on the road.
7. no need to worry about cars flying around the corner.
8. there is always a bathroom close by.
9. the belt doesn't slow down when i'm tired; i'm forced to keep up the pace.
10. a good cardio session is possible any time of the day or night.

Get into it!

The Utah Grizzlies scored three-straight goals to cap off a dramatic 3-2 overtime win over Ontario before a season-high of 8,530 fans tonight at the Maverik Center. Markus' coach, Derek, told us about the $5 tickets for tonight's game at practice last night, and of course Markus wanted to go. He had a great time and he wants to go on his birthday as well.

Markus made a wish on this, his magic pebble at school:

If only wishing could make it so!

You Have The Power

I took Morgen to Instacare today after school to have his wrist x-rayed. It isn't broken, just a sprain the Dr. said, but he needs to keep it in the splint for 10-14 days. He was playing around with his friends Allen and Bubba after school yesterday, and Bubba put Morgen on his shoulders and was running around outside the school when Morgen said that Allen pushed him over off the back of Bubba and he landed on his wrist. Bubba is the same age as Morgen but he is about a foot taller. The same kids were goofing around a few weeks ago and Morgen came home with a bruise. I also pulled up last week in front of the school just in time to see Morgen being thrown into a pile of snow by the same boy. It makes me question whether this is a form of bullying or just boys being boys? Where do you draw the line? Morgen said that they were just playing around, but if he keeps getting hurt, is it really playing?

A few weeks ago Max and Markus came home with a flyer on school bullying as they had just had an assembly on it at school:

Be an Ally- Project Change

If you witness bullying, DON’T JUST STAND BY. BE AN ALLY!


If you just watch bullying happen and don’t do anything, you are a bystander. Bystanders to bullying often end up feeling guilty, powerless and afraid. Bystanders don’t help put a stop to bullying in their schools. Allies do! An ally is someone who takes action to help the target of bullying.

An ally can:
• Say something comforting to the target
• Help by walking with the target when the bully is around
• Go with the target to report the bullying to an adult
• Speak up to the bully and tell the bully to stop
• Remember, it is important to help keep yourself and others safe. Never confront a bully directly if you think that the bully will hurt you or someone else. You can still be an ally to the target using one of the other strategies above.

If you are being bullied:


• There is nothing wrong with you. You didn’t cause yourself to be the target of a bully. You don’t deserve this.
• The person doing the bullying is wrong and should stop.
• Just because the points above are true doesn’t mean that the bully will stop or that there is nothing you can do about the situation.
• There is not one right, perfect solution for every person. It may take some trial and error to figure out what will work in your situation
• You can start by learning more about bullying in general.

Here are techniques that have worked for some kids. You may need to try several techniques to find the most successful combination for your situation.

Plan ahead (for example, talk to a friend ahead of time about walking together; find a different route to avoid a hot spot) and practice each of these techniques so that you are prepared to use one or more of them, when necessary:

Act confident. When you feel intimidated by another person, you're probably not feeling very confident. But sometimes just acting confident is enough to stop a bully. When you look self-assured as you walk by a bully, it’s possible that the bully won’t pick you as a target. Acting confident might take some practice.

Avoid hot spots. If there are particular places where the bullying occurs, try to find ways to avoid those locations (at least when the bully is present). If you absolutely can’t avoid being in the “hot spot,” act confident and try one of the other techniques.

Pretend to ignore the bully. Sometimes, acting as if you don't notice or don't care might stop a bully's behavior. Some bullies want to see a reaction from their target, so ignoring might stop the bullying behavior. Other bullies don’t care if they see a reaction or not – they bully just because they like to and because they think they can get away with it. With these bullies, try other strategies.

Use humor. Bullies might be surprised enough to stop their behavior if you use humor. Showing that you have a sense of humor about yourself is different than putting yourself down. For instance, if a bully makes fun of your appearance you could respond by saying “it’s a good thing I’m not planning to major in modeling in college.”

Walk with others. A bully might be less likely to pick you as a target if you are with another person or in a group. If you are having trouble finding another student who will help you with this, ask an adult for suggestions.

Use firm words. Kids can stand up for themselves by firmly saying (not whining) “Stop it!” to the bully.

Tell an adult. If you are being bullied, it's very important to tell an adult. In addition to your parents, you can talk to teachers, counselors, principals, adult volunteers, lunchroom helpers, and playground aides at school for help with bullying problems. If the bullying causes you to fear for your safety, or the safety of someone else, it may also be necessary to contact the police.

Keep track. If you keep a journal or a diary, you can keep track of bullying in case you need to report it. If you don’t keep a journal, ask a family member to help you with this. Include dates, times, and places where you have been bullied, as well as the names of the bullies and what they did or said.

Don't bully back. Bullying back (either physically or verbally) may only escalate the situation. Physically fighting a bully is dangerous – it could result in someone getting hurt, and you could end up in trouble for fighting.

These suggestions should be helpful to lots of people who are dealing with bullying situations in their lives now. But, to reduce bullying on a larger scale requires community efforts. For example:

• Bringing together people in different parts of the community (like law enforcement, doctors, educators, researchers, students, etc.) to develop a comprehensive community-wide action plan
• Advocating with your school administration and board of education for a better anti-bullying policy
• Contacting your elected officials to encourage them to propose and support legislation aimed at bullying prevention

You Have The Power! to help reduce bullying in your community in several ways:

• You Have The Power! to use strategies to help yourself
• You Have The Power! to become an ally to help someone else
• You Have The Power! to become an advocate to help the entire community

Teetering

When I went to pick up Morgen from his girlfriend, Brittani's house tonight after I finished teaching, I saw this: Teetering vehicle forces closure of I-215 . I couldn't get on the freeway as it was backed up for miles and so I took 13th East back around to go east. When I went across the over pass I couldn't believe my eyes. I still don't know how it happened. What a scary sight.

New Classes

The school classes started again last week. It is fun to see all the sixth graders that I taught last year remembering how to skate and the new fifth graders learning how. It's also fun seeing all Max's friends from baseball, football and hockey.

Nothing

That is what I have to post about today...nothing.

Oh except for that I started reading a new book today, Peace Like A River. It was for book club last week, that I didn't go to. Thought I might read it now.

Question for you?

What exactly is the purpose of Ward Conference? Just wondering...

More...

Hockey today:

Max's team lost to the Wolverines 3-1.

Markus' team beat the Kings 22-0.

In other news...

Went snowboarding tonight and it was awesome. The powder just kept coming down the whole time Max and I were there. I think we were the last ones down off the mountain. Snow much fun!

S.O.S

Save Our Specialists

Principals Report Positive Impact of Integrated Arts Program

A recent Dan Jones & Associates survey found that the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program (BTSALP) is already having a profound positive impact on children in participating schools. After two years of implementing the program, participating principals reported the positive impact the program has had in their school, including the following findings:

• 100 percent of respondents reported that the effect of the program was either “definitely positive” (85 percent) or “probably positive” (15 percent).

• BTSALP engagement also had a positive impact on student performance and behavior in all areas:

Math: 68 percent reported the program’s impact was positive.

Language Arts: 69 percent reported a positive impact.

Other subject areas: 84 percent reported a positive impact.

Positive impact in both discipline and student attendance was reported by more than 70 percent of all principals. 86 percent reported that the BTSALP helped with student engagement, 73 percent said the program helped improve civility.

Principals also reported increases in self-esteem, confidence, social skills and civility, and decreases in negative aggression.

This week the legislative session is in full swing, making now the perfect time to contact your legislators and show support for this important program. Feel free to share these results with family, friends and neighbors so they too can realize the profound impact arts education is having in Utah schools. Visit http://artworksforkids.org/find-your-legislators to email your legislator today.

Save the date...

Little Red 2011 sign ups are coming soon.

Teary Goodbye

Two hours ago I sat in my doctor's office and watched as my ob/gyn—my only doctor—said goodbye.

He just turned sixty last year. In fact, next month he will get his mission call. My bald doctor who just yesterday, I swear, was giving me my pre-marital exam—is leaving for three years to be a mission president somewhere. I still can’t figure out how I got here: one minute I was nursing newborns and changing diapers and watching bald-headed one-year-olds take their first steps; the next I’m sending lanky adolescents out the door to junior high and high school. Even more unfathomable to me is that he is retiring—the only doctor I have ever had deliver all my babies—except for my second-born, my eleven-year-old son, he had his associate deliver him, as he was in Israel on a trip (with my parents no less!) and returned back the next day. He’s off to an English speaking mission, hopefully right after the fourth of July holiday.

My doctor is right where he wants to be at this stage of his life, and I couldn’t be happier to have had him to take care of my health for this long. And he’s eager for this next phase of his life to begin: today when he was looking through my chart, he strode through the office, whistling, all smiles and cheerful confidence. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Yet, these past few hours I’ve found myself looking through my babies birth photos, my throat tight. I already miss the sound of him asking me questions, and the way he stoops down to hug me in my pink paper gown. And though my doctor assured me, on this my last visit to him ever, “There are a lot of great doctors in the practice to take care of you,” I think he said 3 or 4 different names—who won't be retiring any time soon—I know that though he’ll be back in three years and will still live in the same stake and his wife's sister is married to my sister-in-law's father, he’ll never be my doctor again.

But up until today I hadn’t had time to think about it. I’ve been so busy that I’ve only given my doctor’s leaving a few cursory thoughts at night after dropping into bed, exhausted, when I’ve thought over where he might be sent on his mission, or worried that whoever my new doctor is won't make me laugh until I cry at my annual check-up.

So today, as I watched my doctor closing my file and noticed that he had tears in his eyes, I realized—really realized—that for the very first time in nearly twenty years I will no longer have him as my primary care physician. My baby is seven (eight next month). My oldest son is off to college in two short years. And as he stood up and gave me a hug he said, “I’ll miss you, and I won't be able to hug any naked women like this for the next three years! (I wasn't really naked, I was wearing my pink paper gown) and all the women like you and the families I have been able to take care of. I love you.” and we both smiled, I suddenly found myself crying, wiping my eyes, and telling him I loved him too. I smiled as I watched him go, my heart in my throat. And on the way out to the car, after I told his nurse Susan good-bye, I cried again. And inwardly I waved good-bye.

Max & Dr. I




Dr. I with his wife Gloria
Book of Mormon Youth Conference '06

 

Thoughtfulness



You've got a friend in me!

 After school, teaching and Lightning practice, Markus wanted to stop at Toys 'R' Us to buy a present for his friends birthday party tomorrow. He is usually thoughtful when buying a gift for his friends and told me that his friend really likes basketball, so he bought him a nerf basketball hoop, after playing around in the store for 15 minutes. Silly boys!

Change



Swimming with Whitney

 It was almost warm enough to swim outside today, almost. We opted for the indoor pool however, and Whitney came with us. She spent the night last night after coming to watch Max's Lightning game yesterday. Her mom is in LA, she flew down for work and stayed over with Shane. They haven't gone anywhere together without the kids since Connor was born last year. She told me today when she came to pick up Whitney, that she felt like a new woman. She slept all night without Connor waking her up, she said that he usually wakes up every hour as he can't breathe very well with his heart condition. Then she slept in and had breakfast in bed. How much fun would that be? Anyways, I am glad that she had an enjoyable time and that Whitney could come to stay with us. Markus always looks forward to her coming over and she never wants to leave when it is time to go home. We also went skating today, I was teaching some lessons, and then to laser tag and dinner. Morgen came with his friend Austin as well. A fun holiday, thanks to Martin Luther King, Jr. who had a dream that things would be different then they currently were.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.


Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

It's a Celebration

Lightning team celebrates after taking last place in the tournament. The game today was against Team Wyoming for 7th or 8th place. They lost 6-2 and then celebrated afterwards. Not sure if they were excited to have played in a AA tournament or if they were just glad it was over!

"AA"

The Grizzlies AA tournament began last night. The Lightning Team didn't seem like they were in it to win it from the start. I am not sure if they were intimidated by the title of AA teams or if the other teams were really that much better. 



Game # 1 vs. Boise Steelheads (loss 3-2)

 



Markus being silly with Max & Killian at dinner before he slept over

 



Game # 2 vs. Steamboat Springs (loss 5-3)




Stop for lunch with Markus' little friend Patch




Game # 3



warming up before the start of game 3 against the Jr. Eagles



I can see Max getting more confident in every game, he still has a long way to go to keep up with the second year pee-wees however.

 


Max told me that he learns so much from what his coaches tell him on the Lightning team

 


Max listening intently to what Coach Volker has to say



He was on the starting line for the game against the Eagles



which they lost 8 - 0




still he learns more every game and I can see him getting stronger





To top off a full day of hockey, The Grizzlies game

 




Hoody wearing Morgen

 

Morgen & his friend Alex enjoying the iTouch game they were playing instead of watching the game, until the fights broke out, then his friend Alex was all over it. He even said he wants to play hockey now. Morgen slept over at his friend Alex's house last night and they both said they wanted to go to the Dave Brown Memorial game. A portion of the proceeds of the game went to the family of the high school hockey coach who died last month after hitting his head on the ice.  

Bandits

Morgen is playing Red Dead Redemption on the PS3 so Max and Markus are taking matters in to their own hands.

 The little bandits have been playing outlaws all morning with their rubber band guns, bandannas and cowboy hats. They are out of school today for a teacher work day and they are out again on Monday for Martin Luther King Day.

Now they have me held up in the computer room, while they have a shoot-out. Markus just told me, "Sorry in advance for when we hit you. And we will hit you."

Craft Night

So excited for girl night tonight. Nicole is hosting at her home and here is a photo of the craft she has planned. The old addresses poster, only I would need a really large poster to fit all the places that I have lived in my life.

Running in Snow

I went running up the canyon today in the snow with my friend Kelly. She is an amazing athlete that did the triple trail challenge last year. I had my really old Sorels on that have absolutely no traction left on them and she had her dog, Sierra with her. She left me in the dust  powder, I need to get some better boots with some traction before I try to do that again. Still, it was so beautiful up there, with clear blue skies, looking down on the mucky, inversion of the valley. Sometimes you just need to get out of the smog, clear your head, and see the world from a different perspective. While we were running she’d explained that before she got married, she had wanted to develop talents and get an education so that when she became a mother, she’d have an identity beyond “mom.” Being known as Miles' mom wasn’t the problem—not knowing herself anymore would be.

My mom made it clear in no uncertain terms that once you had kids, wanting to be anything but their mother was selfish, wrong. She was thirty years my senior, a mother of seven. I was an 18-year-old college freshman. What did I know about motherhood and womanhood?

Maybe I was off my rocker. Maybe losing yourself was something good mothers did. I struggled with the issue even after becoming a mom. I’d carved out a “me” area but worried it made me an inferior mother. Then I got Kim as a new visiting teaching assignment. She and her husband each had one night a week to themselves while the other tended to the kids. He spent his nights in the basement, working on his paintings. Kim said she had no idea what to do on her nights, so she watched whatever was on TV. Not a favorite show, because she didn’t have one.

My jaw dropped. She couldn’t come up with anything she wanted to do? I could have listed a dozen ideas off the top of my head. Chatting at our visits was painful. Kim rarely had an opinion or preference about anything if it didn’t involve diapers or sippy cups. Politics? Current events? Books? How about the school system? Don’t even bother—Kim was practically a robot.

My mom was dead wrong.

My three sons will someday grapple with these same questions. I want them to have a mother with opinions, preferences, hobbies, and passions. I want them to know I love "Love Potion #31"—and that it’s okay to like Mint Chocolate Chip instead. That I enjoy reading Tolstoy and Abbey and Lewis. That I laughed myself silly watching Date Night. That I love to write. That I will write, because I’m a better mom when I do.

I’m already “Max’s mom.” I beam when I hear that. But when the night stillness settles in and my children’s breathing evens with sleep, I’m still me. My identity doesn’t go to bed with them, to rise in the morning when I start mothering again.

One of the Young Women values is Individual Worth. It’s not “Mother’s Worth” or “Worth You Have Serving Someone Else.”

It’s Individual Worth. It’s who you are, sans spouse, sans children. You, alone—daughter of God.

Kim is an empty-nester now. I wonder if she’s found Kim. Or does she flounder, not knowing who she is without children in the house? I adore raising my kids. I don’t want an empty nest. But I don’t anticipate that inevitable day with dread, either.

‘Cause I’ll still be me. And I kinda like me.

One

Molly before

and after the groomers.

Do you ever have days that are harder than others to love what is? You know, where you try to play the glad game and think of something to be glad about in a situation where you don't really feel all that happy? Yeah, well today was one of those days. Luckily the girls came to the rescue and invited me to lunch for Naomi's birthday at Cafe Rio and I was very GLAD that I could go, if even for a quick bite to eat and to catch up on every one's holiday before running off to the rink to teach some lessons. I was glad that I took Molly to the groomers, as she was really needing a bath and I was glad that I did, as I learned that she has an ear infection that I need to get her some medication for from the vet. I was also glad that I had a project to work on, organizing the laundry room closet. 



During the process...



  



Closet before...

I can't post the after pictures, as it isn't finished yet. I am also glad that I was able to take Max to his Lightning game tonight. Ben was working until 10:30. He took a break from working to come and watch Max play his two 50 second shifts of the game tonight against the "AA" Grizzlies team, Max made it on a competitive team, that likes to win all their games. They still didn't win this game though, it was a close 4-3 loss for the Lightning.

In his book "The Power of Now" Eckhart Tolle outlines the principles in the book deal with shedding the constraints of the so-called "Little Mind" or ego which according to Tolle have cloaked our existence and made us lead lives focused on the past and the future, with little consideration for the possibilities of the "now." The practices that help to realize the power of the "now" are simple in themselves; yet as with all spiritual practices the simplest things are often the most difficult. I was listening to this in the car today to try and practice one of the most difficult things for me.
Step 1:

Feel the presence of the "Inner Body" or your inner or "energy" self as many times as you can each day. This involves simply taking a moment to connect to yourself and observe your inner state. Do this after waking, before sleeping and as much as possible make it a constant practice.

2:

Observe yourself without judgment. Harnessing the power of the "now" is all about realizing that you are more than the "Little Mind" which constantly chatters away inside. If you step back from yourself and simply observe, you will realize that it is the "real" you who is observing the Little Mind. The Little Mind becomes silent when it is being observed, as children often become silent when they realize an adult is listening in on their make-believe play.

3:

Be present in whatever activity you are doing. If you are washing the dishes, listen to the sound of the water; smell the scent of the dish washing liquid---all without judgment. This will stop your mind rushing off into the past or future and bring your focus into the 'Now.' Observing nature without thought (as to names of plants or animals) is recommended as a practice for being present in the now, as is observing your breathing and noticing the stillness in between breaths. These practices help to show the immense quiet and calm that surrounds our daily activities.

4:

Accept each moment as it is. Don't judge it; don't add a story to it. If a small irritation arises, acknowledge it as it is and let it go; surrender. The power of now is being able to surrender---this does not mean you become a door mat or a push-over. On the contrary; surrendering to each moment allows you to navigate the complexities of life and relationships with calm deliberation; with acceptance of who you really are and with love for those you encounter on your life journey.

5:

Continue observing, being present, accepting the moment and feeling the presence of your inner body until you are no longer practicing the power of now, but living it.

P.S. Did you notice that today is 1/11/11. Make it one day to surrender.



First Timer

Max's first time skiing

I was looking through some photos today to update Max's school days scrapbook and came across this one. It was taken in January of 2005. Maxi-baby, you've come a long way! Riding the rails and going through the trees on his snowboard. He met up with some friends from school, at Brighton on Saturday, and they were doing some crazy tricks, I hear.  

Snowflakes



View out of my kitchen window-how does it look out your window this morning?

"Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand-and melting like a snowflake...”

Today's Games

Markus had his first full ice game of the season and it was a blow out against the Sharks. His team, the Falcons, scored 15 goals, while the Sharks came away with ...2. Markus scored a hat trick and rode his hockey stick like a broom afterwards. He was pretty excited.

Max's team played the Bears for the second time this season and lost again, this time 4-0. He was not very excited.

Looking back and forward...

The new clothes and gadgets have all been put away (at least they’ve been moved up to the boy’s rooms), wrapping paper and boxes are crammed in the recycling bin, and the sugar cookies and gingerbread and chocolates and the leftovers from Christmas day have been thrown away. After a whirlwind month of decorating and shopping and wrapping and delivering, of attending concerts, parties, and performances, Christmas is over, just like that—come and gone in the blink of an eye. And while normally I feel a bit relieved to leave Christmas and all its work behind and I look forward to the New Year and taking down the Christmas decorations, this year I’m still lingering over Christmas, waiting to move on just yet.


In that spirit, tonight I’m making a couple of lists: Things I will Do the Same Next Christmas, Things I Will Do Next Christmas That I Didn’t Do This Christmas, and What I Learned This Christmas. Here goes:

Things I Will Do the Same Next Christmas:


Not send out 100 Christmas cards or try to reciprocate every neighbor gift.

Deliver gifts before Christmas.

Watch The Family Man, curled up on the couch with my boys wearing their new Christmas pajamas.

Feel gratitude for my family, my life, as I sit at the family party on the day after Christmas, watching the faces of the people I love.

Things I Will Do Next Christmas that I Didn’t Do This Christmas:

Try to focus on the birth of the Savior more.

Not talk Morgen into going skiing on Christmas because he was “more tired than he had ever been in his whole entire life.”

What I Learned This Christmas:

My son’s school has a good music teacher, as everyone could sing on key at the annual Christmas concert. Which is good, especially when “Chatter with the Angels” is being sung.
The world did not fall apart when I didn’t send out 100 Christmas cards this year.

The world did not fall apart when I didn’t reciprocate every single neighbor gift I received (and no matter how many extra gifts I have on hand, I always seem to run out—I learned that, too).

Speaking of which, I will never deliver neighbor gifts on Christmas. Ever. See this post if you want to know why.
Even though I’ve seen it a million times, I cry every time I watch It’s a Wonderful Life. Every. Single. Time.

The pages of our life are written daily.


The past is the past.

It's filled with memories, emotions and lessons.

The present is all around us.


  My newly planted Amaryllis

The ability to live in the moment, to recognize & appreciate life's subtleties, is worth it. And a new chapter begins. Happy Freaking New Year. 2011. Yay.
What did you learn last year? What will you do the same/differently this year?






Moving Away

My nephew Kiel and his cute wife, Emily

They have been living in D.C.

Upon completing school and graduating from BYU they moved to Sacramento today. I will miss them both.