A Year In Review

First, Happy Birthday to my Beautiful Girl!  You were a blessing to us when  you entered our world 28 years ago today and you continue to Bless us each and every day.  We Love You!

taken from (In)Courage.com


1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?  Jim was able to retire after 34 years of teaching.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?  That is a tough one because each day in different ways were are faced with challenges, but nothing really stands out in my mind.  I guess that I have been faced many challenges with my job this year.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year? I feel like I have grown in my Faith this year and it has brought me unexpected joy and peace.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle? Learning to conquer fear, though I have not fully conquered my fears I know that I am not in control and that has given me a new perspective on it.

5. Pick three words to describe 2009. .Busy, Blessed, Fortunate

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2009.  Busy, Hectic, Over

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2009.  I have no idea here.

8. What were the best books you read this year? I go for easy reading, nothing too deep as I have difficulty concentrating. Actually I can only remember recent books-short term memory isn't so good either! Ha!  1.) I, Alex 2.)The 7th Victim 3.) The First Patient

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?  My husband, my God, my parents, my children, my family and Durinda

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year? Jim's retirement has been a HUGE change for our family and continues to be an adjustment for me!

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally? My heart grew and expanded in my love for my husband and children. I became much more appreciative for the people in my life. I lessened my expectations for people, yet gained in my gratitude for them.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually? I have learned to trust in God's plan for me more and give myself over to Him.  I have come to know that I have so little control in so many ways and I accept that. 
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13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?  Growth comes in different ways but I guess that it is safe to say that I have become more accepting of my limitations and continue to learn to work within those limitations.

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others? I have fallen more in love with my husband by learning to accept  him as he is fully. 

15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home? Creating a safe and loving environment for my family and friends.

16. What was your most challenging area of home management?  The dogs!  Talk about no control.  Ha!
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year? Hands down, the internet.

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year? By continuing to work on the relationships in my life.

19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year? You never know what tomorrow may bring so live life to its fullest each and every day.

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you. This year have been a year of renewal for me.

A few pictures

As promised.  Christmas at our house!

Bella sprinkling Reindeer food in the front yard.

Opening her Christmas Eve pajamas...

The tree in the family room after Santa's arrival...

In the living room opening gifts on Christmas morning...

Tim, wrapped in his Steelers Snugglie...

Phineas and Ferb!

You may notice that Michelle is absent, she sent me the pics and I guess didn't want to be included!

If you can't beat 'em....

Sometimes I have the need to complain.  I try not to do it too much, but sometimes I just have to let it out.  Here goes: I am in pain!  Not all the time of course, but often.  Too often.  Last night while eating dinner the upper part of my left arm began to ache.  It was almost like a charlie horse in my arm.  Out of nowhere I just start having these searing pains in my muscle.  Then later, it moved to my lower arm, then my leg, and feet and my gluteus maximus.  And it didn't let up for quite a while.  Finally, I decided that if it wasn't going to go away, I would exercise.  Then when I had muscle pain at least I would feel like I was getting some benefit from it.  Right? So, I got plugged into the Wii Biggest Looser game and had at it.  I choose Bob as my trainer.  I like him.  He is gentle-for the most part anyway.  I finished the whole circuit and the cool down exercises.  The result?  Well while I was doing it I was fine, and although I tried my best I just could not hold my ankle while standing on the opposite foot.  (Just can't make those muscles do that!)  Other than that I did all of the exercises and I felt it.  In a good way.  It stretched the muscles that were bothering me and the result was a different type of burn.  Of course as with any type of exercise for me it is always followed by tremors.  But that is different than pain and much easier to deal with!  So overall the result was good. 
Which brings me to my next point-I need to loose weight.  No big surprise there, but I am putting it out there.  Here on my blog.  So it begins, a new diet and exercise program.  A challenge to myself.  Maybe if I put it out here I will be held accountable.  Help to hold me accountable.  Send me recipes of good, low fat food.  Encourage me.  I need it.  I'll give you updates along the way, let you know how I am doing and how my body tolerates the exercise.  I am going to try to be reasonable about this too.  Taking a page from my SIL Linda's book I will not totally deprive myself just limit myself.  (Linda, any tips would be appreciated!)  
So there you have it.  My resolution to myself-loose some weight and work my muscles!!! 

Where did it go?

All too fast Christmas has come and gone!  We had a wonderful celebration.  It all happens so fast though, so much preparation goes into in and then in what seems like an instant-it is over.  But that is how it goes I guess. 
Bella was a lot of fun this year.  She had been so excited that sleep had eluded her.  We would go up to check on her, only to find her in bed wide awake just grinning from ear to ear!
Christmas Eve we went to the Children's Service at church.  That began at five and boy was it noisy!  The sanctuary was crowded and the excitement was palpable.  The two children's choruses sang and two of our youth members played the piano-it was joyous!  The best part was the Children's Sermon though.  We were seated close to the front so were able to see the children and how they interacted with the pastor.  Bell just sat there and stared up at him.  He read a book titled The Christmas Story and the illustrations in it were beautiful!  It made an impression on Bella though, because she talked about it later and remembered that we were celebrating the birth of Jesus.  We stopped by McDonald's on the way home to get Bella some chicken nuggets becaue she was exhausted and anxious to get to bed.  Jim brought her out a childrens cone and she was delighted with it.  He asked her how it was and she replied "My tastebuds are dancing!"  Michelle asked "They are dancing?" and she said "Yes, they're dancing the merenge!"   Anyway, when we got home we all opened our p.j.s and got Bella in bed.  I didn't last much longer than Bella as I was still feeling poorly. 
Christmas morning I awoke to the sound of our little one excitedly telling Michelle that Santa had come and he had even been in her room.  He left a ZhuZhu pet under her tree and a small ornament of Santa kneeling before the baby Jesus.  She was sooooooooo excited!  Jim and Timmy were already up and waiting for us, so we all went downstairs and armed with cameras, we let her come down.  Santa had indeed left a few things for her under the tree!  She laughed, explored and played for quite a while, discovering each little gift that had been left for her.  Then we all gathered around the table for breakfast.  After we had cleaned up, we went to the living room to open gifts.  We were able to drag that out for most of the morning, by which time we were all ready for a nap!  It was a wonderful day!!
Saturday we piled in the car and headed up to PA to visit Jim's brother, sister and nephew and continue with the celebration.  That too was great.  Bill has a puppy who was fascinated by Bella and she loved him too!  It was fun watching them play together. 
Sunday my Dad and Marlena came down to visit and left on Monday.  There just never seems to be enough time to visit with our families!  It all goes way to quickly!  Dad and MAr are now on there way down to Florida where they will remain until after the winter thaw. 
I'll have pictures up in the next day or two.  Until then....

'Twas the Day Before Christmas

And all through our house, there was sneezing, coughing and feeling like a louse.  (Well, lousy-but that didn't rhyme!)  So you get the picture.  I am not feeling well and it is Christmas!  Two days a year is all I ask for, but I guess there are other plans for me.  And really, it's okay.  I have to work today anyway.  Supposed to be  here for the whole day but I imagine given the state of things, that I will be leaving early.  We would like to be able to attend the children's service at our church with Isabella.  Then dinner, our one gift (pajamas!) then it will be off to bed for the little one to dream of the wonders that will await her on Christmas morn. 
So what are your plans?  Any family traditions? 
I am looking forward to spending some quiet time with my family.  Sitting by the fireside, opening gifts, reading stories, and just enjoying one another.   So I am signing off until next week.  Go enjoy your loved ones and remember to count  your blessings and rejoice in the Saviour!

Less Words Wednesday

I am suffering from laryngitis and a rotten cold.  Not feeling well.  I am trying to limit my speaking, as it is difficult to talk or to be understood, but that is a lot easier said than done! 

Anyway, here's a priceless picture from the weekend-my Mom entertaining her Great-grandaughter!

Snowed In!

It started snowing late Friday night and it snowed, and snowed and snowed!  We got about 2 feet of snow!  It was something.  My parents made it as far as Richmond on Friday night and continued up the rest of the way on Saturday.  The driving conditions were trecherous, but they took it slow and made it safe and sound.  It took them about 8 hours to travel 160 miles!  Dad may be done with his trips up North at Christmas!!  This will give you an idea of how it accumulated, the below picture was taken at 11:00 am on Saturday.

This one was taken at 1:30

This is at 3:30

4:45...

                                                                        And again at 6:00.
When my parents did arrive at around 2:00, my Dad said that the bumper of his car was acting as a snow plow, as our roads had not been touched at that point.  We heard reports on the radio and tv that is was going to take days to dig out from the storm, but the crews worked around the clock and the roads in our development were plowed during the night.  Bella had a blast playing in the snow, as did the dogs!
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The schools decided to cancel classes for the whole week, so the kids are happy about that! 

But I must say, it did put me behind on finishing up my last minute details, so as of now I am not done shopping.  Hopefully tonight I can swing by the mall, find what I am looking for quickly and make it back home before too long.  I just want to be finished at this point!  Next year, it is going to be different-I swear!