Resolutions??

Every year, as do thousands of other people gracing this planet with their presence, I sit down and write down my list of "New Year Resolutions." Every year I vow that the treadmill at the gym will be my friend, that I will drink more water, or be one more credit card out of debt...EVERY YEAR I vow that I will do ten times better "this year" than the previous year. And every year I find myself involved in other things by the time February rolls around! Seriously, resolutions and I do not coexist. I think they are great for those who stick with them...those that need the big moment to sit down and evaluate their lives and resolve to change it- however I see I design flaw in the process. For me, those goals are not achievable, because well, they are TOO BIG! Sure I'd love to run a marathon, but 12 weeks from now, I'm sure I will still be cursing the treadmill, and finding every other excuse on the planet NOT to do it. It is too big. However, the solution to this problem...I am hoping at least, since I am tired of being like millions of Americans who never achieve their goal, is to resolve to take baby steps. Instead of "this year I will" I think the resolution should be "for the next six weeks I will..." Baby steps. We heard that term a million times in the What About Bob movie...yet if you're like me, it takes your own little "aha" moment to realize, remember and act on it. I'm sure by now if you are still reading this, you are wondering WHEN I am going to reach the destination of this post. Let me help you out with that. First I will apologize for my ramblings- it is nearly 11p.m. I have been up late several nights in a row this past week and my brain is toast. That said:

My point is, I am not making "New Year Resolutions" this year. I am going back to the basics of the way I know things work, and starting with a small goal- that will eventually lead up to the big finish.

My goal for the next few weeks: One picture from my camera will be posted daily on the this crazy blog, to grow and cultivate the inner love of great photographs I have, and to also make my blog a little more interesting. How long with I do this? The big picture says all of 2010. The smaller picture says: for the next 6 weeks.

So here goes: Picture #1

Little Miss Reagan! She spent New Years Eve with us, along with her brothers and sister, stayed up ALL Night, and by 9:00 this morning, this is what we saw of her! I just wish she would've let me take a picture of her beautiful face too!

Christmas 2009

I think this Christmas has surpassed most any other Christmas out there! Why? Why Not? We started the celebration off by none other than the awesomest Christmas Openhouse! John had never been to such a thing... honestly not many people have. I don't really know of many people that live in a house with a huge pipe organ in it. I don't think we had as many people come this year as other years past...but that's A-OK with me! Just means more rolls, ham, meatballs, chips and dip, and cookies for me :)

Next we rolled into Christmas Eve with John coming to hang out with us for Christmas Eve Dinner :) Pot Roast, Vegetables, Salad, Rolls.. seriously I wish we ate this well everyday! The Taylor's came over, as well as my Sister and her fabulous family, it ROCKED! (I would have snapped a few photos of all of this, unfortunately my camera had a "falling out" and no longer exists)

Christmas morning we headed over to Heidi and Brian's for the opening of the gifts, and the best Brunch possible. This year we started a new tradition. Not only was John there, but a great friend came. Melanie is the AWESOMEST of AWESOME and I just absolutely adore her! Thanks for coming Melanie! By the time Brunch was over, we were stuffed to the brim with biscuits and gravy, sausage, hashbrowns, bacon, scrambled eggs, belgium waffles, orange juice, and raspberry crumb cake. Honestly I believe I am still full! We all headed in our various directions, and my parents, John, and myself went back to have our own little present party...Sweaters, Cameras, Drill Bit sets, Pictures, Nerf Guns, and much more were thrown around our house. (yes I got a camera) Later, John and I packed up and headed for is side of town-

Des and Ty seemed pretty happy with the gifts that they were given, and we had the very much expected 30 minute nerf war afterward. Following this fun filled, sometimes a little dangerous event, we went to see the grandparents, and eat at the parents' home. Did I mention we were still full? By the time we returned, I wanted a nap but no one else did, so we played Twists and Turns of Life, Animal Crossing, Monopoly, Nerf Tag, Lego Starwars...and the best part...John let Des put make-up on him!!! I would've taken a picture of this awesome, never seen event...but I am afraid myself or the camera wouldn't have made it back in one piece to share the story! It was cool! The next best part was Des falling asleep mid-sentence at about 2:30 a.m. This is a weekend that I could have put on repeat several times over and never been sick of!

Saturday, Des decided she was done hanging out with us, so John, Ty and I drove back to Salt Lake, hung out at my house for a bit before going with the whole family (Melanie included) to see The Princess and The Frog. If you haven't seen it yet, GO SEE IT! The only thing that could've made it better is if we didnt' have to park 3 miles from the theater and if John hadn't gotten sick during/afterward (poor guy)

Here are just a few of the photos that did make it back with me ;)

Heading to get the kids...

Ty with the most favorite toy! Watch Out!!!!

After Des painted John's face...and mine...I painted hers!

Ty had so much fun...it was nap time on the way to my house :)

I  (Heart) them All!!!

Because he is hurting...I am hurting.

Today, we both need this. It is a beautiful reminder that we are not alone, no one is alone. Our best friend and Savior is with us always. Loves us and cares for us, we just need to open our hearts and let him in.




Be still my soul, The Lord is on thy side
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In every change he faithful will remain
Be still my soul, thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end

Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake.
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope thy confidence let nothing shake
All now mysterious shall be bright at last
Be still my soul, The waves and winds still know
His voice who rulded them while he dwelt below.

Be still my soul, The hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone
Sorrows forgot loves purest joys restored
Be still my soul, When change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

You know your boyfriend loves you when...

He gets his "good jeans" dirty, just to make sure your car is safe.

He is excited to spend time with your family, even though you are still at work.

He drives you to every appointment you have in a day...even though none of them are remotely near each other. And he looks at you and says, " I am having a great day! Thanks for being with me."

He is not afraid to be near you, even if you do have some contagious illness.

The scars from your evil cat don't bother him.

He loves your evil cat, and the kitten too!

He watches a "chick flick" on Wednesday night, and goes to Disney On Ice Princess Classics on Thursday. And when the show is over, he leans over, kisses you and says. "that was great, we need to come next year!"

He surprises you with a Tinkerbell doll, just because. Doesn't matter that you are not a kid anymore, he thinks it is still cool.

He offers you his coat in the rain, while it is freezing because " You are shaking like a leaf babe, we need to get you warm!"

He turns around when you are half way to your destination, drives you all the way back home, just so you can get something you need.

He tells you he loves you every day!

Thanks John!
XOXOXOX

Halloween...yes, it's late, but who cares!

Halloween this year was not just fun, it was nice! It has been over two years since I have actually enjoyed this holiday...dressing up and going to parties when you don't have someone to go with is not all that desireable! John was a great sport, better than most would be...but honestly, it was him that started it all, so he HAD to be a good sport!

We went to Erin and Merrits Costume Ball the week before the famous day of goblins, ghosts and trick-or-treating, it was so nice to celebrate their 10 year anniversary with them! See that's where John's whole costume got started! We were talking about parties and halloween, when John said. "well maybe I'll just show up in a tutu!" I wished I had come up with the marvelous idea myself...but alas, I did not! I said  "That would be AWESOME!" He laughed and thought nothing of it. Well, I was chatting with Erin, who wanted to know more about awesome John, and I said, "well why don't you just ask him when he shows up to your party in  a tutu and fairy wings?" Yay!!!! John so my little message, and even though he probably, well I'm sure really didn't want to do it, he said I could make him a tutu and we could buy him some wings! I love this guy!

I didn't get the tutu done in time for Erin's party, and when we tried to put John's wings on, we quickly realized they would not fit. It was actually one of the funniest things I have seen, watching him try to put on purple fairy wings with elastics that were nearly not big enough to go around my shoulders, let alone my "manly man."

Dont' worry though, my awesome sister helped me with the Tutu- and I was able to get it done for Halloween party number 3. Number two I went alone, since the tutu fairy had to work. Thanks John for being such a great guy, and great sport! Next year I promise I won't make you wear the tutu!

Aren't we Cute?!????? I am still fighting with glitter!

Awww!

Rob and Heather...Guardian Angels

Nate...he is some Anime dude...I really wanted a picture of him standing up, the costume is AWESOME!

Chris- my "other brother" and his main Squeeze.

Beth and Scott, sporting Zorro and...what's his wife's name?

Next year, halloween will totally rock!

Things I've been up to....

Again, I am a neglectful blogger. One of these days I will get better...maybe. So what have I been up to you ask? hmmm...let's see:

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Shooting with the Hottest guy around...

Costume Ball with the funnest guy ever!

Hanging out with Him... John. He's AWESOME!

So, that's what I've been up to. Along with...

Helping Cleo out with This little guy...

Isn't he Cute?!?!??????

He needs a name! Any suggestions?

Max

Here's my little Max. What a cute kitten! I don't know what happened, why he had to go...maybe he missed his sister Ruby too much...maybe he wanted to see his grandma again. Whatever the reason, Max left this world on September 30th, 2009. He was the runt of the litter, but definitely made up for it in voice. You could hear little Max all the way downstairs, and he made sure his emotions were known! Sleep my little Max