Goodbye '08 Hello '09!

I have sadly neglected emptying the pictures from my camera for a long while, so here is my abbreviated attempt to share the most recent cuteness that crossed its lens. I will try not to go too long, but be warned(if you didn't already know) that it is probably not going to happen! I have a feeling that right now my words are only making sense in my head, so I apologize in advance for any gibberish. Anyhoo...this is my favorite picture, taken by the talented photog in the family otherwise known as Daddy. You can see a distinct difference between the snaps I take and the ones he does, mine are blurry and his are focused!
Here are the first and second runners up(as close as my kids will ever get to a beauty contest, I know they would win but I am against the concept!)

Now here for some that I took of Son's school Christmas program...see the difference?




I have a hard time admitting that I might not be good at something, but photography is definitely not my calling in life! I think my calling might be something closer to run-on sentences...
I do not, as a general rule, make New Year's resolutions. I have a hard time thinking of goals for myself. They are always way too hard or way too easy, never reasonably attainable. I feel like most New Year's resolutions are just promises begging to be broken. Unless, of course, you are my inhumanly self-control possessing husband, who gave up soda last January and made it all year without a sip(and several pounds lighter and healthier.) So, although I am not making an official New Year's resolution, I am adopting a motto for this year: a place for everything, and everything in its place. If I can't find a place for things to be put away properly, I have too much stuff and it's time to get rid of it(or have hubby build new shelves)(or quit being such a cheapskate and invest in some.)
We were walking through Walmart the other day and noticed that every aisle and end display advertised exercise equipment and gadgets. We just laughed, because the smart people at Walmart know what many many people have made for their New Year's resolutions this year(and every year?): Get in shape/lose weight. Let me share a little secret with you that L and I learned the hard way: there is no miracle diet/drug/gadget that will magically drop the pounds off. None. None. None. There are things that can help, but here is how you lose weight: Burn more calories than you take in. That means many different things to many different people, but that is the secret. For L, he works out a lot, and so has quite a bit more leeway in his diet than I do. I am quite limited as to my physical activity right now, so the way I lost my weight was to very carefully watch what I ate. We unofficially followed weight watchers, that helped us to pinpoint where we were going wrong. I am far from finished, but now I know what it takes and it is doable. I love sweets, especially that one miserable week out of the month. I just have to say no sometimes, and recognize when it is ok to say yes(once in a while.) We trimmed down portions and eat a lot more veggies, less starches. Eating healthy can be expensive, but if your portions are smaller that they used to be, I found that we saved money on that end, so it worked out pretty close to what we used to spend on groceries. It just occurred to me that I promised this would be a short post...oops! At least I didn't make it a New Year's resolution!

More Thanks

L has finished his classes for this semester. That alone is reason enough to jump up and down for joy! He finished with straight A's...even bigger jumps for joy!! I suspect he was even a bit of a teacher's pet...going early to class, working hard, knowing all the answers. He had never enjoyed school when he was younger, but I think he really enjoyed these classes. He has definitely changed in that respect. Being a few years older and wiser helps, but he has been kicking butt at work, studying almost every night of the past 4+ years for his seven(I think, I lost count) certificates in the various fields he needed while working toward his ambitious work-type goals. He developed an almost inhuman drive and persistence, not to mention quite enviable study habits and a lack of need for sleep. So a huge HOORAY for my awesome man and his success!

The New De La Hoya

Please forgive me, for I fear this post is not exactly in the positive spirit I am trying to keep on my blog. I believe after the terrible defeat De La Hoya suffered the other day, he may soon retire. But never fear, boxing fans, I have spawned his replacement! (Yikes!)
My sweet Son got in a real live fight at preschool yesterday. I am feeling very conflicted about it. He was sent to the office and they told him he would be sent home next time. However, as the teacher was telling me about the incident, she said that she did not blame him for fighting because the other kid had told him he was going to kill his mom(me.) I was terribly saddened at the thought of the fight, but he is a Momma's boy and he was fighting for me, so I couldn't get too angry at him. Son told me the other boy also told Son he would cut Son's head off, and that also appalled me that a preschooler would say those things. I am asking a little advice from you, my wise friends. What should I do about this? Should I do anything? I told him that Mommy and Daddy don't hit people when they get mad, and that is not the way to handle things. I have talked to him about using his words and not letting things that people say get him upset, but I have not really punished him, and I am conflicted as to whether I should punish him or what punishment should be appropriate. So, any advice on that? Please don't judge us!

Good News!

This weekend I conquered the huge fear of driving I developed nearly a year and a half ago. I would definitely not say it is gone completely, but I overcame it enough to drive to where I needed to go and back with only a little sweaty palm problem. That is pretty huge for me, as it has been a big roadblock for a while now. I don't think I'll ever be as confident as I once was, but I can drive again! That is enough for now.

Thanks

I know it has been a while since my last post, and I owe you some new news, so I thought I'd start with the thanks I have been giving recently.

1. Grandpa made it out of the Hospital feeling pretty good, he got to go shooting with the boys, which I'm sure was the highlight of his week. I am not so thankful for the little accidental fall I learned about yesterday, but he is still ok, so I am thankful for that.

2. I am thankful for the huge family we are a part of(seen here playing Yahtzee, Daughter got a huge kick out of rolling the dice!)

3. I am thankful that said huge family has evolved so we can be flexible with our holiday plans. The date on the calendar is not what makes a gathering special, it is the people involved. We did not have to eat three turkey dinners, instead having a fun fiesta for one of them! I think this one was Daughter's favorite, she had seconds!

4. I am thankful for this man and the loving husband and father he is.5. I am thankful for this handsome boy:6. Also thankful for this adorably sweet girl. (Seen here hitting up the Vitamin C...it's cold and flu season, you know!)7. Another huge thing I am thankful for is the relationship my kids have with each other. In good times and in bad, sharing candy and a ride on a bike...
...or a time-out that only one of them was given, the other can not bear to let their best friend suffer alone.When one is in pain, the other one cries with them. When one is in trouble, the other one refuses to play(or take their eyes off of them) until time-out is over. Son is an incredibly patient and sharing big brother, and Daughter is the little sister whose big bro can do no wrong.
8. I am thankful to have each of you in my life, and the time we get, however few and far between, to catch up with each other.
9. I am thankful my husband has a job, even as sad as I am that not everyone we know still does.
10. I am thankful for my house, my car that runs, my electricity, water, my heart that is still beating, etc. etc. These are the small little things that on every other year would probably not have made the list. But since this year we are much more aware of some of the things others lack, it make me more grateful for every little thing I have.