resolutions

Once upon a time, long ago (aka: before kids), I loved to make new year's resolutions. LOVED it. I relished the time spent pondering what areas of my life could use improvement & progress and I loved to challenge myself with lofty goals. And to take it one step further than your "typical" resolution-maker I would categorize my goals, make monthly charts, check the boxes as I accomplished a goal and then calculate the percentage of success at the end of the month. A little extreme, I know. Type A, I get it. But I loved it! I wasn't entirely rigid--I was extremely satisfied with a 70% overall monthly score. I did this for years. (Side note: one of the things that attracted me to my husband-to-be was that he actually did the same thing...while we were dating.)

That was long ago. Then, when we had our kids, some of my goals became more simplified (still categorized) but more attainable, more about the kids. And then, I don't know how or when, but somehow I got down to making only one lousy goal a year: "I pledge to shower every day" or "I pledge to eat more than just Cheerios all day long" or "I pledge to read more than just Saturday's Warriors as my scripture base." You get the idea. One year I just gave up all together and didn't even make a resolution.

However, this year I'm feeling it again, but different. Maybe it's age, or the climate of the world these days, but I want my goals to be deeper, more heart felt and less about percentages. Merriam-Webster lists resolution as: a firmness of decision, and lists the synonym as courage. This struck me for some reason. I never thought of needing courage when keeping a resolution. The general authorities say that in proving courage one is faced with pressure; sometimes an outside pressure, or a social pressure or pressures of a personal appetite. Charles Dubois says: "Courage is being able to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." What can we do if our determination crumbles under the pressure? Repent. In other words, and in the context of specifically new year's resolutions, you can always start a new--not just in January. Like the orange juice commercial, "Resolutions. They're not just for January anymore." Catchy no? I digress.

So, this year I made some resolutions, and even categorized them, but they are truer to my heart than in years past. Shakespeare said: “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.” (Hamlet)

• I pledge to strive to live with such candid honesty that I may be able to say (when the occasion permits): "I wish I could, but I don't want to" instead of making excuses.


• I pledge to eliminate soda from my diet altogether (this one's actually easier than you might think--I hate the stuff).


• I pledge to show appreciation for my neighbors and to be more aware of their needs.


• I pledge to sell or give to charity all the crap in my house that is outdated or that I can no longer stand.


• I pledge to respect myself more by defending positions important to me & by allowing some "me time" a few times a month.


• I pledge to strive to see our marriage through my husband's eyes; improving my words & behavior as a result (I'm sure).

What's your resolutions?

say it ain't so

You know, I've just about had enough with Hollywood. What the heck happened? It used to be a place for artists to fulfill their dreams and they took their fame with some responsibility. I know, this is nothing relatively new & I'm fairly sure we all agree that Hollywood has, in the last decade or two, become nigh unto an island for moral lepers. I understand, and even tolerate to a degree, actors who use their fame to push a certain cause especially some that are very worthy. I get that. Honestly if I had that kind of spotlight I'd be shouting out about something. And I can even handle the fact that my main men and favorite actors are democrats...barely. But when Tom Hanks calls me "un-American" because of my religion, that crosses the line!

Let's clarify some of the facts:

1. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints did not give their "money to the church" to campaign for California's prop 8, and thus the church did not "make this happen".
2. If members in California decided to donate their money for prop 8 it was their choice.
3. If members of the Church, in CA, came out by the droves to VOTE for prop 8 it was their choice and frankly I can't think of anything more American!
4. Other conservative groups & religions supported prop 8, including the Catholic, Jewish, African-American & Latino communities. I don't hear Tom Hanks calling any of them "un-American".
5. Hanks says that he doesn't "like to see discrimination". Really? Hollywood is all about discrimination these days--that's what he's doing labeling Mormons un-American.
6. He also says that we "need to have faith in the California constitutional process". Faith in CA? Really? What has it produced to encourage that "faith"? People who check into rehab on nearly a daily basis, who think they're above the law, San Fransisco trans-genders & Britney Spears? No thanks, I'll stick with the American Constitution and my prophet, thank you very much!

I'm so sick and tired of the liberal Hollywood type shoving their view points down our (conservative/moral-centered) throats. They're not happy unless we lie prostrate on the ground and accept their liberal views, agenda and way of life. I've liked you for a long time, Mr. Hanks, but I'm afraid that I have to end this love affair. I need to take a stand. And you need an education, remember: Stupid is as stupid does.

Update: Tom Hanks has come out and "apologized" for his remarks. However, I'm tired of actors who use their grand stage and loud voice to ridicule people who challenge their views and then quietly, via their press agent, apologize for their behavior. The latter is only done to save their career/fan base. If they were truly sincere they'd choose their words carefully in the first place.

new

I'm sure that, by now, everyone has heard of her story. I started reading her blog a couple months before she became famous--before the accident--but I've kept tabs almost every day since and have prayed for her recovery, simply because she's a good person and the world needs more good people.

Today, she's back!

new year celebrations

Happy New Year! So far, for us, it has been hectic--there's nothing quite like starting a "new" among vomiting children and piles of laundry. Things are starting to slowly get back to normal but I'd be remiss if I didn't post about the end of year festivities. So here's some quick pics:

If Santa didn't make it to your house it's probably because he suffered a diabetic coma after eating the cookies that Sarah & Emma left out for him. My apologies.

And, per Chelsea's request, here's our gingerbread house that we made from scratch. In the past we've done those kits, but this was easy and waaay more fun! I'm tempted to make a whole village next year.

Ringing in the new at Jeff & Felicia's playing "Rock Band" (note the snarl on Morgan's upper lip--the future Pat Benatar) Gene on bass. It doesn't matter what we do, spending time with family is the best!

Sarah was a trooper and stayed up, though semi-conscious, until midnight. Emma & Morgan didn't make it past 10:30.

We also played spoons/truth or dare (the one without the spoon had to choose) and Jordan, on a dare, had to strip down to his boxers and make a snow angel, but I love the little dance he's making in this shot!

After staying up all night and dragging the morning of New Years day, we had lunch at the Outback (so glad that Cheryl could grace us with her presence for all of 5 minutes).

My nephew, Dean, in his Air Force dress blues. We took him out to Ejo (Korean) restaurant the next day, before he headed to Omaha, NE. He also took us on a tour of Hill Air Force Base while he was here. It was so good to spend quality time with him!