For the sake of blogging...

Tradition

So one of my best childhood memories was going to Magic Mountain with some friends, for a friends birthday (in 8th grade). We lived about 2.5 hours north of Six Flags so it was a trip... I remember riding the Gold Rush over, and over, and over, and over...etc., the boy in the purple shirt, and the horrible, horrible haircut I had at the time (thanks to pictures - lol).

We have been spending our family vacations at Knott's Berry Farm for the past 5ish years, and it's been a lot of fun! However, I have been counting down the years until the kids would be old enough to really enjoy Magic Mountain...the time has come!

Our 2010 family vacation will be over spring break and we are allowing the kids to bring a friend (I'm just so glad they've chosen really fun, good kids!). I think I'm more excited then they are...they have never been there before. lol. Oh, did I mention that Jon and I are inviting friends too? lol... it will be soooooo fun!!!

Thank you Fletcher's for beginning this tradition for me and my kids!

Snow Fun

We had a good weekend hanging out with some friends in Payson! Sometimes it's fun just letting go and acting like a kid!

365 Days

It is a new year. Thank goodness - lol. After just watching a quite inspiring movie (Julie & Julia) I feel the desire to better myself.

I did not take nearly enough pictures in 2009. I did not cook nearly enough meals for my family. I was not nearly as kind as I should have been. I did not forgive or ask for forgiveness nearly as freely as I should have.

I learned a lot about myself in the past year. I learned that I have much more patience than I ever imagined. I learned that unconditional love really does exist...and I have experienced receiving it and giving it. I learned that being a mom is much more meaningful than being a "mother". I have learned that I am a horrible follow-througher.

I have met many wonderful people. I have established friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. I found myself again. I have been able to distinguish the difference between doing something for someone and truly having the desire of service.

I hope this new year will continue to teach me... hopefully in more subtle ways, but that the things I experience in my life...the things that happen to me and around me will help me grow into a better person.

I have a long list of goals for 2010 and while usually I write them out and tape them up for me to read daily... this year, it was been harder for me to put into writing what I hope to gain from the next 365 (approximately) days of my life.

As I am able to cross items off of my ever growing list, I hope to be able to put my thoughts and feelings into words and express my gratitude for the things I learn on a more regular basis. We shall see.

Long time coming.

I have been spending my free time learning all about vector art. I thought I was pretty good at computer stuff until I tried it... it's not that easy! Never-the-less, here are some wood plaques I've created using my new skills. If you are interested in having some custom vinyl made, feel free to email or call or comment! (I also do custom t-shirts!!!)

Finally some pictures...

Baby shower messy diaper game... and Whitney's prego belly!!!
Wall Unit in Family Room
The most beautiful Apple Pie ever! Well, my first one anyway...
Maggie, Jon's early Christmas present and yes, she likes me more than him!
Betzy and Bob! The nicest cows in town :)
Here is a picture of the addition to the garage. The third wall went up today and hopefully the roof will be up by this weekend!

100 Things to do Before I Die.

The things I've done are bold... (this list was taken from a friends blog - not all of the things I MUST do... lol)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (flute in like 4th grade)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day