It's that time again...the old year retiring and the new year ready to begin...the time when I start to contemplate. What do I want out of 2010? Some things are already written...All of my children will reach important milestones this year. Talia will turn 3, go to preschool, and make that jump from toddler to pre-schooler. I can already see the signs, she's progressing very quickly. Alec will turn 8, make the decision to be baptized, and start Cub Scouts. Kyle will start Boy Scouts, and at the end of the year, turn 12, receive the priesthood, leave Primary behind. Cole and I will celebrate our 15th Wedding anniversary this summer. I celebrate 10 years at my current job.
As I contemplate the milestones ahead of me, I also have to focus on what I want to accomplish this year. As I have said in the past, I don't make New Years Resolutions. I prefer to make goals and aspirations for the coming 365 days. I spent some time last night going through last years journal/calendar. Transferring birthdays and important dates. Reminding myself of the milestones of last year. I spent some very relaxing time coloring in some of the pictures in my new journal/calendar, to add color and beauty to something that's turned into such a wonderful tool for personal growth. I was pleased to note, as I went through the goals and aspirations I made last year, that I had accomplished many of them, and had made very good progress on most of the rest. There were a few things that became obsolete due to events, and 1 or two goals that were abandoned due to a change in interests or priorities.
Last year, my state of mind chose Karma as my personal banner...remembering to live my life in a positive way. I believe that the energies that surround us are infinite, and as you live you choose your path. My year of living "Karmic" has only emphasized that. I plan to continue the path of Karma, however, this year I will also focus more on the Journey.
I will indulge in my own private rituals to ring in the new year tonight. I will also spend time with my husband and children, who are everything.
May your new year be bright with possiblities, and may peace and happiness fill your world!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
It's about time!
Well, I'm finally through the worst part of my work schedule. Today, after making a pot of chicken tortilla soup, and enjoying a steaming hot bowl while watching the snow fall (thank goodness all the crap will come out of the air with it for the health of my family), I finally find myself with a few moments of time to post about the wonderful Christmas we had.
We started out with another Christmas Party on the 22nd. We went to my brother's house for a more intimate family party.
Dinner
Brother and Sisters
Eating cookies instead of decorating them...
Are you sure that cookie has enough frosting, Kyle?
Talia and Hunter take a break from the chaos
The kids perform
We enjoyed an evening of good food and fun with my family, and the kids exchanged presents with their cousins. It was nice to be together as a family.
It was my year to work Christmas Eve. People often ask me why we have to work holidays. We (my co-workers and I) like to joke "sure, just tell those patients to go home over the holiday, we'll close the hospital, and then they can come back when we reopen. It's just one of those things that most people know, but don't think too hard about. I knew when I chose my profession that weekends and holidays would be worked. The miracles and wonderful things I get to have a hand in make it worth it.
So, back to it, It was my year to work Christmas Eve. I also ended up having to work the 23rd, but we managed to find a few minutes to open our Christmas Eve Jammies before I headed back to work.
I went to work, and things were pretty slow and stable for most of the night.
I was totally in the spirit, all my stress of the previous couple of weeks had gone away. However, we had a patient crash around 2 am, and was not expected to live. I was really upset, because it was a completely unexpected event. I came home very sad and teary, to find a box with my name on it in the middle of my kitchen counter. It contained these...
A beautiful hat and scarf handmade by a very good friend. There's a line I remember from a book I enjoy "she had worn the finest silks, the thinnest, softest cottons, but this gift of a sweater handmade by a friend gave her more joy than anything else she'd ever worn." I felt the same about this gift, it immediately lifted my down spirits. THANK YOU!!!!!
I went to bed, and the plan was for the kids to let me sleep until 8, then I'd get up and we'd all open presents. It worked pretty well, Cole actually had to wake the kids at 7:30. He fed them breakfast, then I got up and we opened our gifts.
Santa came!
I always worry a little, the amount of packages gets smaller as my boys get older...but they were thrilled with everything, I'll have to try to remember not to worry too much next year. Cosette always joins us (Indy was around somewhere too, he was just too hyper for me to catch him with the camera)
Some favorites...
Grandma and Grandpa send their presents to be opened Christmas Morning, even though we usually see them in the afternoon. It keeps the mess out of their house. I think they've nailed it, because in the aftermath, my house looked like a tornado hit it. Twice. :) Anyway, Grandma made beautiful new afghans for all the kids...
They also gave them each a bunch of cute clothes! My kids all love clothes, which makes me grateful!
Daddy wears Talia's new tiara...I'm so glad we had a little girl so Cole could get in touch with his inner princess!
New clothes and perfume for Jen
An ipod for Cole (he's been lukewarm on the idea of an ipod, but is really enjoying it!)
Cosette thanks me for her new collar! (seriously, that's what happened!)
We finished up, left a lot of the mess, and I went to lay down for a few more minutes while Cole opened up the boxes for the kids. I slept about 45 more minutes, then I got up and we all got ready to go. We headed over to my parents' house...
The kids opened still more presents
Nana and Papa gave Talia the Swan Princess Castle, and most the accessory sets. She LOVES IT so much...
Alec's favorite thing was this...
These night vision goggles actually work REALLY well...we were really impressed with them! Alec's way into the spy thing right now.
Kyle's starting to get old enough for "grown up" toys...he loved the iHome stereo for his new iPod!
My parents gave me ski pants...I'm excited to hit the slopes next week!
These next pictures have the BEST story...my SIL Brenda's laptop was accidentally ruined a while back. My brother has spent time "throwing her off the scent", so to speak, about her getting a new one for Christmas. She was totally not expecting this, and was wonderfully emotional...My brother did a really good job surprising her!
My Mom got some kind of new golf clubs...
After awhile, we headed over the Christmas Dinner at Cole's Parents'. I got this pretty shot of the mountains through the trees...
I love the reflection of the sunset on the snow!
Completely wiped out after a long day (and no nap)
We came home in the evening. The kids played with their new stuff, and Cole and I started to clean up the carnage. We put them to bed, then we crashed too.
We had a very good Christmas. Despite all the stress I've had this month, I'm a bit sad it's all over.
At least we still have some vacation left to enjoy things. Yesterday we took the boys to Avatar (it was really good, better than I expected it to be) and we have a few more things planned for the rest of our vacation time together.
We started out with another Christmas Party on the 22nd. We went to my brother's house for a more intimate family party.
Dinner
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| From Christmas 2009 |
Brother and Sisters
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| From Christmas 2009 |
Eating cookies instead of decorating them...
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| From Christmas 2009 |
Are you sure that cookie has enough frosting, Kyle?
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
Talia and Hunter take a break from the chaos
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
The kids perform
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
We enjoyed an evening of good food and fun with my family, and the kids exchanged presents with their cousins. It was nice to be together as a family.
It was my year to work Christmas Eve. People often ask me why we have to work holidays. We (my co-workers and I) like to joke "sure, just tell those patients to go home over the holiday, we'll close the hospital, and then they can come back when we reopen. It's just one of those things that most people know, but don't think too hard about. I knew when I chose my profession that weekends and holidays would be worked. The miracles and wonderful things I get to have a hand in make it worth it.
So, back to it, It was my year to work Christmas Eve. I also ended up having to work the 23rd, but we managed to find a few minutes to open our Christmas Eve Jammies before I headed back to work.
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
I went to work, and things were pretty slow and stable for most of the night.
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
I was totally in the spirit, all my stress of the previous couple of weeks had gone away. However, we had a patient crash around 2 am, and was not expected to live. I was really upset, because it was a completely unexpected event. I came home very sad and teary, to find a box with my name on it in the middle of my kitchen counter. It contained these...
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
A beautiful hat and scarf handmade by a very good friend. There's a line I remember from a book I enjoy "she had worn the finest silks, the thinnest, softest cottons, but this gift of a sweater handmade by a friend gave her more joy than anything else she'd ever worn." I felt the same about this gift, it immediately lifted my down spirits. THANK YOU!!!!!
I went to bed, and the plan was for the kids to let me sleep until 8, then I'd get up and we'd all open presents. It worked pretty well, Cole actually had to wake the kids at 7:30. He fed them breakfast, then I got up and we opened our gifts.
Santa came!
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
I always worry a little, the amount of packages gets smaller as my boys get older...but they were thrilled with everything, I'll have to try to remember not to worry too much next year. Cosette always joins us (Indy was around somewhere too, he was just too hyper for me to catch him with the camera)
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
Some favorites...
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
Grandma and Grandpa send their presents to be opened Christmas Morning, even though we usually see them in the afternoon. It keeps the mess out of their house. I think they've nailed it, because in the aftermath, my house looked like a tornado hit it. Twice. :) Anyway, Grandma made beautiful new afghans for all the kids...
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
They also gave them each a bunch of cute clothes! My kids all love clothes, which makes me grateful!
Daddy wears Talia's new tiara...I'm so glad we had a little girl so Cole could get in touch with his inner princess!
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
New clothes and perfume for Jen
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
An ipod for Cole (he's been lukewarm on the idea of an ipod, but is really enjoying it!)
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| From Christmas 2009 |
Cosette thanks me for her new collar! (seriously, that's what happened!)
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| From Christmas 2009 |
We finished up, left a lot of the mess, and I went to lay down for a few more minutes while Cole opened up the boxes for the kids. I slept about 45 more minutes, then I got up and we all got ready to go. We headed over to my parents' house...
The kids opened still more presents
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
Nana and Papa gave Talia the Swan Princess Castle, and most the accessory sets. She LOVES IT so much...
Alec's favorite thing was this...
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
These night vision goggles actually work REALLY well...we were really impressed with them! Alec's way into the spy thing right now.
Kyle's starting to get old enough for "grown up" toys...he loved the iHome stereo for his new iPod!
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
My parents gave me ski pants...I'm excited to hit the slopes next week!
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| From Christmas 2009 |
These next pictures have the BEST story...my SIL Brenda's laptop was accidentally ruined a while back. My brother has spent time "throwing her off the scent", so to speak, about her getting a new one for Christmas. She was totally not expecting this, and was wonderfully emotional...My brother did a really good job surprising her!
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
My Mom got some kind of new golf clubs...
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
After awhile, we headed over the Christmas Dinner at Cole's Parents'. I got this pretty shot of the mountains through the trees...
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| From Christmas 2009 |
I love the reflection of the sunset on the snow!
Completely wiped out after a long day (and no nap)
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| From Christmas 2009 |
We came home in the evening. The kids played with their new stuff, and Cole and I started to clean up the carnage. We put them to bed, then we crashed too.
We had a very good Christmas. Despite all the stress I've had this month, I'm a bit sad it's all over.
At least we still have some vacation left to enjoy things. Yesterday we took the boys to Avatar (it was really good, better than I expected it to be) and we have a few more things planned for the rest of our vacation time together.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas
May your day be filled with peace and joy, and may you experience the true spirit of Christmas.
Love to all my readers,
BookwormMom :)
Love to all my readers,
BookwormMom :)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Identical Digits....
This time it's 11! My first baby is 11 year old today, at 12:03pm.
It's funny, I woke up this morning at the same time my water broke the day I had him(right before 5 am). I actually do more years than not...it's like my brain wants to remind my body of the most momentous thing it's ever done...given birth.
Happy Birthday my Kyle!
It's funny, I woke up this morning at the same time my water broke the day I had him(right before 5 am). I actually do more years than not...it's like my brain wants to remind my body of the most momentous thing it's ever done...given birth.
Happy Birthday my Kyle!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Family Christmas party....
It's that time of year....
My niece Gracie
"The 12 Days of Christmas" performed by my family
Opening presents from Grans and Grandpa
Talia got a "Snap 'n' Style" doll, a Groovy Girls Princess Doll, A Disney Princess dress up trunk, and an outfit...the snap n style doll hasn't left her side all day, and once she realized what was in the princess trunk...she spent a good hour this morning dressed up as Ariel.
Alec got 2 Bionicles, some Star Wars Legos, and a Bakugan sphere...he was so excited that he got a "trap" with the new Bakugan stuff...it hasn't left his side either...
I really don't understand why he loves the bakugan stuff so much, but he was thrilled, which made me happy.
Kyle got a Bionicle, and also a big Lego Space Police set. He seemed pretty happy...he wanted to put his stuff together so bad, he was willing to risk the little kids getting into his stuff!
It was a fun party, but I was exhausted by the end...my energy's running low these days. (I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm eating like crap ;)...but there's just soooooo many yummy goodies in my house right now!)
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
My niece Gracie
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| From Christmas 2009 |
"The 12 Days of Christmas" performed by my family
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| From Christmas 2009 |
Opening presents from Grans and Grandpa
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| From Christmas 2009 |
Talia got a "Snap 'n' Style" doll, a Groovy Girls Princess Doll, A Disney Princess dress up trunk, and an outfit...the snap n style doll hasn't left her side all day, and once she realized what was in the princess trunk...she spent a good hour this morning dressed up as Ariel.
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
Alec got 2 Bionicles, some Star Wars Legos, and a Bakugan sphere...he was so excited that he got a "trap" with the new Bakugan stuff...it hasn't left his side either...
I really don't understand why he loves the bakugan stuff so much, but he was thrilled, which made me happy.
 |
| From Christmas 2009 |
Kyle got a Bionicle, and also a big Lego Space Police set. He seemed pretty happy...he wanted to put his stuff together so bad, he was willing to risk the little kids getting into his stuff!
It was a fun party, but I was exhausted by the end...my energy's running low these days. (I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm eating like crap ;)...but there's just soooooo many yummy goodies in my house right now!)
Happy (early) Birthday Kyle!!!!
We had Kyle's birthday party on Sunday night.
The Cake
I usually try to steer away from "Christmassy stuff" for Kyle's birthday, but he specifically requested a green cake with red decoration. I blame (thank ;)) Mindy for the fact that I now enjoy cake decorating so much...it's not perfect, but Kyle LOVED it, and that's all that matters.
Opening his present from Mom and Dad
"Make a Wish!"
He was so excited...I had already loaded it with his favorite CD's plus some others I thought he might enjoy.
Talia just loved the ice cream...
The Cake
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| From Christmas 2009 |
I usually try to steer away from "Christmassy stuff" for Kyle's birthday, but he specifically requested a green cake with red decoration. I blame (thank ;)) Mindy for the fact that I now enjoy cake decorating so much...it's not perfect, but Kyle LOVED it, and that's all that matters.
Opening his present from Mom and Dad
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
"Make a Wish!"
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
He was so excited...I had already loaded it with his favorite CD's plus some others I thought he might enjoy.
Talia just loved the ice cream...
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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| From Christmas 2009 |
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