Bring it on!

Here it is, our new decade! I remember thinking 2010 sounded SOOOOO far away. Well, I would say 2020 sounds far too off in the future to even consider, but I realized just the other day that I will still have two teenagers in the house come 2020, so it can't be that far away! (Nor could it make me THAT old!)

I'm not one who gets too excited about New Year's Resolutions, but I have to admit, I've had quite a bit on my mind the past few days, and it all seems kind of resolution-y, so I guess I'm making resolutions this year.  My thoughts have turned to the efficiency of my home, the way I parent, the activities we're involved in, etc.
My schedule has totally and completely changed with the new semester, new year, new decade, etc.  Looking at those changes I see some opportunity to improve the way I do some things and consolidate a few things.  I'm looking forward to Monday's now being my free day instead of my crazy day, but I still don't know how I'm going to deal with 8:00am church schedule and a husband who doesn't get home from work until after 6:00am on Sunday mornings.  I'll go ahead and say it, I've seriously considered not going.  I do NOT want to go alone with the kids every week.  But I also know that not going in no way solves my problem.  I'll still be alone with the kids, just not at church.

Our Christmas this year was a totally different kind of Christmas than we've celebrated in the past.  We had about 8 days of Christmas (no I'm not confused about which holiday we celebrate, just happened to have that much Christmas this year.) spending every day with family members from one side or the other.  Gifts were fewer and smaller, but time with family was increased abundantly.  My favorite part of Christmas this year was the 4 days in the mountains of California, blanketed in snow, fire place burning, fun games, good food, wonderful time spent with loved ones.  We were so grateful to be able to accept the invitation and join my family.  The worst part of Christmas vacation was also in the mountains where JP was sicker than a dog for all but the very first day.  He got in a good romp in the snow and then proceeded to the basement where he stayed for the next 2 and a half days.  I felt so bad because we were having so much fun and he was just sitting in the basement with a blanket and a TV.  Of course, since we don't have cable at home any more, it was probably a nice relaxing treat and being sick gave him an acceptable reason to hibernate with the cable.  The funniest part of Christmas was when my mom said the funniest/most accidentally inappropriate thing a mother in law has ever said to her son in law.  I may blog about it at Valentine's day. We'll see.  I *think* I have permission to write it down, but it was a doozy, so I want to be sure. (mom, do I?)
We also had a good time at the annual family Christmas bowling party here in AZ, and enjoying a casual dinner and impromptu (grand)children's production of the Nativity, and visiting the Christmas lights at the Mesa temple.  I love the life size nativity they have on the grounds, it seems so authentic to me.

So now we're looking forward to the new year and whatever it has in store for us.  Already some things we thought were in store appear not to be, but other opportunities may make themselves known.  I'm actually kind of loving the "unknown" that the new year brings with it.  Last year's unknowns were largely positive, so we feel hopeful that this year's will be as well.

Now, up with my butt, off the computer to do something a little more productive.

Lisa