End of 2010

After today I am planning on printing my blogs to create a book. I'm doing this because it really is a type of journaling activity. What better way to remember my past couple years than to have it in book format?

Anyway-I have decided that I need to write some things I am grateful for as this year ends.

1. My relationship with Jesus Christ is one of the most comforting things in my life. I don't express this too often, but without Him everything else really has no meaning. I am so thankful for parents who raised me to believe.

2. I am grateful for my family. My parents are people I have not always appreciated (teenage moments). However, as I continue to grow and have more experiences I am constantly reminded of how much they have sacrificed for myself and my siblings. I love and appreciate them more each day. My siblings are great. I don't know many families where everyone enjoys being together and looks forward to being together. I am also thankful for my son. He makes me giggle. I enjoy his personality, sense of humor, and being able to see him grow up.

3. I am grateful for a good job. A job that allows me to put a roof over my head and food on my table. I recently had a student tell me that her family had not eaten dinner in two days because they had no food. I have thought about this ever since. I don't always have things I want, but I do have the things I need. For that I am grateful.

4. What a great opportunity I have each day to serve others. My parents taught us kids that helping others was important. I can remember delivering dinners to families on Thanksgiving Day for the organization Volunteers of America. At Christmas time there was always a family we helped (knock and runs). However, my parents taught us that serving others happens year round. Taking in foster children, going to help a friend in need as soon as they call, visiting grandparents, inviting a lonely person to share a meal with out family are just some ways we learned the meaning of service.

5. I am grateful for my dog. I've had pets before, but never have I loved and cared for one like I do him. Because of him I have learned to love more of God's creatures. I have found myself observing a snail on the sidewalk and instead of seeing a slimy bug, I see something beautiful. I have found a greater appreciation for the little things in life.

6. I am thankful that I have been able to quickly recover emotionally from divorce. Because of the teachings from my youth and from life experiences I have found it much easier to forgive and move on. It's almost been four years and I am happy with the way my life is going.

7. Finally, I am grateful for hope and faith. What a wonderful opportunity we have to look forward to what the future holds. With continued faith and hope for the future I am able to keep seeing the light when things seem dark.

Thanks to my family and friends for being a part of my life story thus far. I can't wait to see what happens in 2011.

Resolutions

New Year, new goals. I have decided that resolutions are not my thing. After all, is it easier to break resolutions or goals? I'm all for setting goals-not the big, I can never meet type that usually accompany new year's resolutions. Goals for me are small.

For example, get out of bed and go to work. That's one I can usually check off as accomplished. Here are some others I have been pretty successful with:

Clean the bathroom at least once every six months.
Clean the house complete with vacuuming at least one of the other six months.
Play on the computer every day--maybe complete some school work in the process.
Contemplate purchasing yet another unused year of rec center membership.
Watch Biggest Loser and think, "I should be on that show" but be too tired to apply.
Wish I could get my kid to help out at home like he does when he is at my sister's house.

Well, you get the idea. So far, I've been very successful with these goals. I think this year I will add dusting at least one time throughout the year. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can......

Christmas Cheer Part Two

Did you ever wonder how you can afford Christmas? Try this: Buy all the teenage boys duct tape. They LOVE it! They can make anything out of duct tape. I have a bracelet made from hot pink and black. My nephew makes an awesome flower out of duct tape.



Really, if you think about it $10 gets three rolls. Think of all the hours of fun.


You may not know this, but hot pink and black are the coolest colors! In fact, I bought my own duct tape to make a bracelet - and I'm a girl! One way to bring more Christmas cheer is to try to steal your niece's new hot pink camera. After all--she can have your old one. Look at the cool color!





Of course, I could probably save up and buy my own. But then, what fun would that be for her if I don't try to take it when we hug?

Babies always bring Christmas Cheer. We have two new ones and one more on the way. I just love them! Sometimes I want another of my own. Then, I look at all the duct tape I have to buy for my son and decide it just wouldn't work out so well.







Families-that's what the Christmas cheer is all about isn't it?

Christmas Cheer Part One

Talent and Sisters in Laws

Oh, for the talent of young 'uns. Well, okay. Younger than me means a young 'un.

Anyway-the link below is to my sister-in-law's blog. Not only can she play the piano, but she does photography, creates her own web page and blog page designs, cooks, and has really cute kids.


(I don't know if the link is going to show up. justhavingaball.blogspot.com)

I have another sister in law who I don't know very well. However, from the looks of the teams at the family party last night I'd have to say she is probably just as multi-talented. The two of them together pretty much creamed the rest of us in a rousing game of Bolyard Jeopardy/Wheel of Fortune/Name that Tune/The Price is Right. Not to take away from my sisters' talents though. The smart one of the family was on that team too.

Hmmmm....Now I sound like I'm saying my other sisters don't have talent. They do. One got all the humor/good natured, writing genes, another the loving/doting daughter,sister, and dancing genes, and the other the "I can sing and act" genes. What did I get you ask? Well, I really couldn't tell you. I just got the oldest, bossy genes I think.

I know-I shouldn't covet talent, but hey---I can't be perfect!

Whatever Happened?

Whatever happened to the desire to blog regularly? I don't know how time gets away.

The past couple of months have been pretty good though. My brother got married and seems very happy. His new wife and daughters are cute and seem to be just what our family needed. So-Sarah, Zoe, and Emily-thanks!




One sister had a cute baby girl. My brother's wife is due anytime now. My niece is due in a couple weeks, and another sister is due in the spring. Whew! Lots of new additions! Congratulations Lecia, Connie, Debi, and Cindy.




Going back to the classroom was the best move I could have made. I have such a cute class. These kids are so smart and make me laugh every day. I am tired at the end of every day and never seem to get things finished, but I am so glad to be tired!



My son is getting a learner's permit soon. (Scary!) However, he is a good driver. He's had lots of practice on 4 wheelers and motorcycles. He has six A's and one A- this term--hard work! Good job!















My cute little dog is laying beside me as I write. He helps me be happy!




Well, maybe the next entry will happen before Christmas--who knows?

I agree

Kids say the darndest things. I was teaching the other day in my fourth grade class. School had just started. I had been on my knees cleaning behind my desk. As I was starting to speak I noticed that my pants had white spots all over on the knee from being on the floor.

I started laughing. One girl asked what I was laughing about. I told her that the floor was filthy because it looked like I was wearing pants that hadn't been washed. She looked at my pants and said, "Dab, don't rub!"



I was soooo amused! Another girl piped up and said, "Yeah-don't rub, you have to dab it with a wet cloth." I asked where they learned that. They both said, "Whenever I get my shirt dirty that's what my mom says. Dab, don't rub!"

It's been two weeks and I am still laughing about it! I love being a teacher.

Our Visitor

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Visitor

An Ode to Apricot Trees

Oh Apricot tree so overgrown
I watch you produce both night and morn.

First blossoms are born
they look like popcorn

Then the small green fruit toots it's horn.

Spring and summer through rain and shine
I watch you grow and wish you were mine.

Fruit starts to ripen
Ye old tree grows lichen

Success at last--on you I dine.



I doubt I will ever be a poet!















I will also never be a photographer and yes, the Mt. Dew is crucial to the puree....

16 Wishes

I watched a Disney movie about a week ago entitled 16 wishes. The premise of the movie is that the girl wrote a list of 16 things she wished she could change in her life. Then, she would light a candle with the number of the wish she wanted to happen and BAM! She went back in time to see how changing the past affected her and others around her.

I've been thinking about my 16 wishes.

WARNING: Going with the theme of the movie they will be maybe selfish, but I'll follow up with the unselfish list later. :)


1. Not be so painfully shy as far back as I remember.

2. Tell my Mom I love her more often when I was a teenager.

3. Went to Mexico City to visit my first boyfriend when I had the opportunity.

4. Gone home immediately when I found out my Grandpa was dying instead of waiting a day.

5. Be a better example for my siblings. Stayed closer to them when they were teenagers.

6. Stayed in Arizona and kept my job there (I could retire with 30 years in five years from now).

7. Kept my primary bracelet and Young Woman's medallion

8. Kept my album collection

9. Not sold my books at a garage sale.

10. Treated my step kids better-told them I love them more.

11. Had a little sister for Austin.

12. Visited Arizona more after I moved away.

13. Saved more money.

14. Traveled to more places.

15. Learned to dance.

16. Got rid of the extra weight after giving birth instead of hanging on to it.


There you have it..... my 16 wishes....at least for today.

What?

Ever wonder why I am single? Take a look at this picture. Pay particular attention to the tab that says My Matches. It's a little hard to read.





Here it is closer.....







Yes, it's true. On July 4, 2010 E-Harmony said there were no matches for me.

Isn't there like a promise on the commercial that a perfect match will be found? Oh well.....good thing I'm happy single!