Welcome 2012- I'm glad you're here and looking forward to the changes, growth and memories you'll bring.
Each year our family fills our a questionaire as we head into the the upcoming year. It is really fun to see the changes from year to year. This year the questions were answered a little less enthusiastically then in the past- it has been a rough year of moving and changes, especially for the kids ( ok, Mom too some) A lot of the answers revolved around Buffalo- being there, returning there... So here are some of the questions with responses- as well as some of the responses from previous years.
"What was your favorite thing about the year?"Andrew- 2012- Having Nina stay with me
Andrew-2006- Camping @ Yogi bear
Whitney- 2012- the summer before we moved, going on adventures and bike rides
Whitney 2006- Getting Muffy, going to the bonfire, the October Storm
Jayna 2012- Making new friends
Jayna 2006- Getting the Christmas tree
"What do you want to do next year"Andrew- 2012 - learn and understand more subjects/topicsAndrew 2006- Chicken wing contest
Whitney 2012- be happy here, enough. Stay close with my friends/home
Whitney 2006 I want to have a clubhouse that is not a cardboard box, and camping.
Jayna 2012- Go to the beach
Jayna 2006- Camping
"If you could go anywhere, where would it be?"Andrew- 2012- EnglandAndrew 2006- Disney World
Whitney- 2012- Buffalo/Amherst
Whitney 2005- Camping for 9 days or more
Jayna- 2012- on top of a cloud
Jayna 2006-Disney World
I've decided not to set big resolutions this year, but more weekly goals. They seem more do-able and can guide me to the results, plus I think needs change weekly, and it gives me an opportunity to reflect each week on what is most important. Last week the goals were- 1. Pray more about concerns 2. track at least 3 days (Weight watchers) I think I did better with the praying and better at tracking, although I didn't quite reach my goal.
I have chosen a scripture to be my motto for the year. Alma 37:37 (from the Book of Mormon, for those who don't know, our church uses the Bible, but also has other books that we believe to be revealed scripture)
Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.I think this is a good motto for me this year. I want to counsel with the Lord often, and I need to have faith, that as I do this and listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and try to do what is right, the Lord will direct me for good. Sometimes I worry too much. I also love the idea of gratitude and being lifted up at the last day.
The kids all got some nice Christmas surprises. One that has been enjoyed a lot by all of them, is the pool table in the attic ( along with an air hockey table) They all enjoy playing it and play with each other. It's kind of silly- but in some ways I find it important to me, I wanted them to have the opportunity to learn to play pool and be comfortable with it before they went to college. I know. Silly. I remember going to college though and wanting to give it a try, but being embarrassed, so not really getting into it. I think it would have been fun- and sometimes it's nice to learn things in a "safe" environment. The kids weren't expecting a pool table, but are all enjoying it, and I'm glad.
I've been working as a COTA in a skilled nursing setting. Here are the good things about it- it pays well, and I have full days off to regroup, which is good for my family. I don't want to get into the bad things now- I'm still trying to figure out what I think of the whole setting and the company
Freshly painted formal living room
"Before" picture
Jayna trying out her pottery machine.
Whitney and Jayna playing Kinect
The new pool table
The dog (Muffy)
Our Christmas tree- cut from our back yard.