Eve of Resolutoion

Eve of a new day, a new year, a chance for improvement, growth, and resolution.

Resolution: a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

How many people every year make all sorts of resolutions, that in reality they can never accomplish, or that they never truly resolve themselves to do. It is a universal tradition to make all sorts of goals, resolutions, commitments, call them what you like. When in reality I think we are often truly just trying to find absolution.

Absolution: act of absolving; a freeing from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations,

or penalties.

Absolution from our acts and failures from the previous year. I mean think about it, "I absolve my self to resolute to loose those 50 pounds this year. Kinda funny , except I have done the same thing for YEARS!

Now, don't get me wrong I am a goal setter, just look to the right of this blog, and you will see that. Yet, I got thinking about resolutions, and I think that I personally need to do something different this year. Instead of just absolving last years resolutions, with this years new ones I am going to set consequences for myself, instead of releasing myself from those consequences.

Instead of talking about, and writing about said resolutions, I am going to just get up and do it, and if I don't DO IT, then I am not going to make excuses, but say the honest truth.

EXAMPLE: "I couldn't find the time to exercise" (absolving)

TRUTH: "Bullshit, I am fat and too lazy to take a walk, ride a horse, swim in any body of water, or plan just do some sit ups. I mean come on I have plenty of time, I was just plain lazy!"

So to all my readers, you have my permission to hold me to it. Don't let me absolve away even here on my blog, call me on it, point your finger and chant at me if you must.

If there is one thing I am resolving to do this year is to cease the absolving behavior. Join me if you wish and resolve don't absolve.

GOOD LUCK WITH 2011, I hope to see you thiner, smarter, cleaner, happier, whatever it is you want "Get up, Go do it, and make sure you have no reason to be looking for absolution in 365 days."

Farewell

Well, my parents are on their way home.

Sad, empty feeling in my house when I got back from dropping them at the shuttle. I was looking forward to getting my house back and all, but the last month it has been so nice to have my mother's (and father's) company. I really enjoyed being able to visit with my mom, go shopping with my mom, bake with my mom, watch both my mom and dad play with Macy and lil Rozalyn. Since they left this past Spring, I really have realized how easy it is to take family and friends for granted. You always think they will be there and that tomorrow will be soon enough to go to lunch, or play a game together. We really need to seize the day, and remember what matters most in life.

I am glad that my parents are so happy in their new home, and I am thrilled they moved somewhere so exciting to visit, just wish it wasn't so far away. Macy told me in the car on the way home today, through tear filled eyes that we have to really start saving so we can fly our plane (i wonder where she is hiding that private jet) to Grandma's and Papa's as soon as possible. I promised her I would, and we will head South soon enough!

Reality Bites

Well, I have had a wonderful Christmas Holiday, and even better yet the last 5 weeks have been glorious.



It has been wonderful to spend all my days with both my girls, and an added bonus was having my mothers help and company. I have truly been able to enjoy this beautiful baby. Macy was fun, but so stressful, constantly worrying if she was safe, and fed enough, and healthy. Being the first I think you worry, and panic way to much. Since Macy survived just fine, no matter what I did, I have been able to just relax, and completely enjoy Rozalyn. Macy has been so fun, to actually get to enjoy her Christmas excitement to the fullest extent was amazing. Last few years between work, and life I have missed a lot, and at least this year (rozalyn's gift to me) I was able to enjoy it.



So, in all that I have realized that "REALITY BITES"! In a week I have to return to work. GRRRR! I do however have some plans in place to hopefully help balance some income, and not have to work away from the girls as much. For now I have to return to work two days a week, I was fortunate to get my neighbor to agree to watch both of the girls twice a week in her home, so at least they don't have to go to commercial daycare. That is better, but I wish I could stay with them and make money at the same time, hopefully soon enough I can work something out. In the meantime I have a week left to snuggle, and play with all of Macy's new toys, and hang out with Don some, so I plan on it.



So time to go, looks like I have to open up some toys.

4 Maids A Milking

4 days left. Fudge is in the fridge, all but Santa's presents are wrapped. Some cookies to bake, waiting for my mom to do that with me. Tree is amazing, and beautiful. Stockings are hung, including to spare ones for my parents. I think I am ready.

Macy is not bouncing off the walls, like I would expect?? So far she has yet to be a "get you up at 5am kid", I guess we will see what this year brings.

Well, getting a head start on my new years resolutions. I sent off emails, trying to line up a mustang to train for January. Hopefully it will help out with the income too!!!! Plus I started my first book of my 100, cheating a little but I won't finish it until January so I figure it counts good enough!!!!

I hope ya'll that are reading this have started your list of resolutions, at least resolve to resolute of nothing else.

5 More Days!

Can't Hardly Wait, I love Christmas, it is my most favorite time of year, and this Christmas is shaping up to be wondourous!!!

To do list:

Ship Packages

Send Out Christmas Cards

Bake Cookies, Candy, Cupcakes

Finish Wrapping

Yet, even as I think about all those festive activities that I must get done, I can't help but take a moment to say: "I feel so blessed". All around me this Christmas I have heard of others strugles, a small boy with cancer that is not doing well, and possibly coming to the end of his short life. An Aunt for all intensive purposes, who may have breast cancer again. People out in the world who have no jobs, and therefore no Christmas. All of this makes me realize that I personally have so much. More than enough, and for that I am feeling humbly blessed. We have jobs, that we grumble too much about. Our tree is already overflowing with presents, and Santa has yet to come. We have this beautiful new baby, who is healthy, strong, and amazing. Another amazing daughter who is smart and wise beyond her years. So much for us, more than we probably truly deserve.

All this makes me reflect on the reason for the season. I am forever grateful for my Savior who has done so much for me. I am so grateful for his birth, and the hope it has brought to us all, and fills our home with each December. So Merry Christmas to all, and God bless you as much as he has blessed us this beautiful year!!

SANTA BABY

I know, I know...

already missed a day, but hey I'm just getting started I have to get into a routine!!

I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner. Every year this is my favorite time of year and I start looking forward to it in October. Then as it approaches I get crazy busy with shopping, and planning, and decorating, and racing here and there to see friends and family, that before I know it Christmas is OVER and I feel kinda like I missed the main event. This year however, bless Little Rozalyn for it, has been better because I have been forced to take it easy, and in doing so I am enjoying pre-Christmas!!! Not by racing around, and seeing friends, but by watching my daughter sneak as much tree re-decorating as she can, drinking plenty of cocoa, watching Christmas specials on TV, and actually enjoying wrapping presents instead of the costomary Christmas Eve 3am wrap session!!!!

So in the Spirit of things I am attaching some adorable, Baby's First Christmas photos!!!

Santa Baby, don't worry about putting anything under my tree, I have more than I could ask for. Food, Home, Family, and Love. All you need is Love!!

NEW RESOLUTION

Okay I know it's a little early for new years resolutions, but this blogging thing is just sad!!! I have not posted on my blog since I left St. Croix which was almost exactly 4 months ago. Sad, I know.

So, a few weeks earlier than most I am bloggifying my New Years resolutions (some of them anyways). See my mother writes on her blog almost daily, using it kind of like a journal. I go and read her blog and enjoy it especially because she is so far away, and I can't always talk to her everyday, but I can see what she is up to, and how she is feeling on a daily basis, just by reading her blog. I don't know if anyone would really care to check up on me that much (other than my mother becuase she is, my mom), but I do find it an interesting way to force yourself to daily look at your day, week, life and take count. Count of the things you've got to be grateful for, count of the things you have done, or failed to do, count of the things yet to come. Besides I don't write in a journal and seeing as this Internet thing is probably here to stay, someday if they can find my blog, my kids could read it. If they find it remotely interesting that is!!

See resolution number one is to reach some specific goals this year. When I created this blog I started the column to the right that has some goals in it. I already have to amend some of those goals, but what would goals be without amending them right. So you can check on my progress )if you care) as you read my blog. The goals, and daily blogging are mostly for me, to help keep me on track, and remind me when I have derailed, but nevertheless enjoy, and I hope I share some things you can enjoy!!


So it is almost Christmas, 11 days away to be exact, and I am finally finding the spirit of Christmas. Not that I was feeling all scroogie or anything, but just sidetracked with a new baby, and my mother visiting. I had already bought some christmas presents online, but other than that nada!! However, last night we decorated our Christmas tree, this is the first time that we (Don & I) have had our tree cut, up, and decorated before the 21st of Dec. That was our previous record, and although I was feeling like it was a little earlier to be putting the tree up, man it felt good. It really started to feel like Christmas, and now as I am blogging in its twinkling glow, I am excited to celebrate this wondorous time of year, with a new precious little one, and my parents here in our tiny little home. So I can say I am officially caught in the Christmas spirit, and feel blessed to be surrounded by the warmth of Christmas.

St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Well, Macy and I officially have two days left, today and Friday. It went by really slow the first week, but now this week has just flown by in the breeze. It is really an amazing place and I would say add it to your places to see before I die list. This is my second experience being on an Island, the other having been a trip to the Bahamas 11 years ago. This place is by far more tranquil, relaxing, and unique. The people are friendly, slight adjustment to all the locals, but that probably depends on where your from. It is a tropical paradise with all the flowers, and fruits, the Island is not crowded, there are no skyscraper resorts, and every single beach is open to the public! NO PRIVATE BEACHES!!

The snorkeling is amazing, I can't wait to come back and Scuba here. I couldn't this time due to being pregnant! I have seen more fish here than I did in the Bahamas. I have seen turtles, parrot fish, barracuda, crabs, urchins, blues, Conch, starfish, and sooooo much more. Loads and loads of brain corral. I really need an underwater camera, sorry about that :)!

The beaches have been empty (it is the off season right now), but I bet they are never really crowded. Lobster is in season and we had some amazing fresh lobster!! Fresh pineapple, starfruit, sugarcane, and these amazingly good little things called sugar apples. Sea shells abound, don't tell customs but we are bringing a few home!

My parents seem truly happy here, and at home. They have a wonderful condo with amazing ocean views, and they are only a few hundred feet from the ocean themselves. They have an awesome pool that we have been to everyday, sometimes 2 or 3 times. Macy has officially become a fish here. She has learned how to swim all alone with no life jacket or help. She loves to go under the water, she snorkels with a noodle or her life vest, and she has even become an official cannon baller!

I could stay, and live here. I know I would have no fight from Macy. Poor Don, although he really seemed to like his visit here, and was in the water more than I have ever seen him in 8 years. He didn't like the heat, and I think a small miracle would be required to get him to ever leave Idaho. I really hope that someday, I too can live by the ocean somewhere, if not here, somewhere close to this paradise. Which in my opinion, paradise includes the Ocean and all it's glory.

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE!

Leaving tonight to go to St. Croix USVI!! I am so excited, Macy is beyond excited, she is driving me nuts!!! Almost can't take it any longer, and we won't offically be in the ISLANDS until 8:30pm! She is going to be bouncing off the plane walls!! So for anyone watching this blog, watch for pictures of our next two weeks in paradise!!

IT'S HOT!

It is really hot today! My house has no AC, and west facing windows. Can't hardly stand it inside until 9-10pm!!

Went to chiropractor today, he couldn't even get my back to budge! Did do an ultrasound on my back and got the muscle's to loosen a little. He thinks he can get it with time. Says that it appears to be mostly the muscles in my lower back so tense that they feel like steel!

On a fun note went to K-Mart for their 4th of July sale! GREAT DEALS! Bought new swimsuits for Macy & Don, best of all though I bought the cutest Onsie!!

It's Official, finally getting excited!!

Summer Fun

Stuck at home today with a VERY sore back. Not all bad though, I can catch up on what is needed! Rest, Relax, and BLOG!!

It has gotten HOT here, but at least it quit raining and snowing!! We were able to get Macy's pool out and she is lovin' life! It's hard to do much after work but sit in the shade, but looking forward to this weekend. I get a 4 day, and Don gets a 3 day. Should be fun. Big plans for the parade and fireworks!! Wahoo!!!!!

Believe it or not, it has only been a day and I am back on here posting again.

Work was "Insane" today! Short on help, filled in with unquailified help, and we were busy, busy, busy. I was not sure what my job title was, and to top it off as usual the doctors decided to install the new fridge today. ARGGHHRRGGG!!

Anyways, few more fun camping trip photos to add.

Not Surprised, but not so good at this yet!

Well, set up a blog and immediatly abandoned it!!

First funny thing, I am not dieting becaue obviously I am pregnant, but no matter I am just eating healthy, and yes I have a weightloss goal, but realistically it is set for June 2011!! So, anyways, go to the doctor and for the first time in my life, got hollared at for loosing 4lbs!! WOW, 4lbs, not that big of a deal, but they made a fuss. Went camping so I am figuring I gained 6lbs on smores, should make them happy!!

As for camping we had a blast!!! We went to Steel Creek, by Kilgore, ID. We took two horses, rode, roasted marshmellows, went fishing and even caught some Brookies!! Record catch of the day was 8 in!! Macy was in heaven, and can't stop talking about it. She said her favorite part was all of the above!! Was worth every minute, was relaxing, and fun. Can't wait to go again!

Almost Forgot!!

Hey, don't have a lot of time, but I forgot to tell everyone that you have to feed my fish!! I would hate for them to die. Just move your mouse over the blue and click away, watch the fish attack the food!!

More goals coming soon!!!

Give it a Shot!

Blogging.....never thought that I would succumb to such!

Looks like it might be fun, I have some goals I want to reach in a year June 2011, that is. Some goals that will take longer, but this might be a fun way to stay focused and on track.

Also, we had a fair amount of family living close by, and well, they have all moved away. Do we stink??

So this could be another (like Facebook, email, Skype aren't enough) to keep in touch!!

I guess I figure I have some spare time, ha ha! So come back often and check us out, watch for that famous list of goals, feel free to make comments, and oh yeah, push me to reach those goals!!