randoms…

in a ploy to put off studying (reading, writing, and just plain thinking), here are my current thoughts and ponderings…

listening: some of my favorite songs on iTunes

eating: a egg sandwich on chili cheese bread

drinking: a monster drink to keep me going

wearing: comfy jeans and a snap up “cowgirl” shirt

feeling: full of energy and yet… not 

weather: a bit chilly

wanting: to get on with life… I feel like I’m on hiatus

needing: to do some homework so I can finish this accounting class

thinking: nothing of anything of good use

enjoying: the butterflies in my stomach

wondering: what’s next?

My how they’ve grown!

School pictures have finally made it home (over a 3 month span… really, can’t they all just have them done at the same time?) and I’m amazed, as I trade old school pictures out for new ones, at how much they’ve grown over the last year.
Daylon is in the 7th grade and *almost* a teenager.  I love that little big man.  He’s got a personality like nothing else and keeps me rolling with laughter and proudness at how he’s just HIM.  He’s quick with the tongue, and is one of the most even tempered people I know.  I love seeing how at ease he is with himself and those around him.  I love watching him  as he is becoming such a handsome and wonderfully perfect young man.  He’s unique and hands down, one of my best buddies.
Rianne is in the 3rd grade this year and almost 9 (geez… slow down on the growing up!).  This kid is a wiz!  She’s brilliant and I’m not exactly sure where she gets it from!  She’s our *GIRL*, and although we may not know exactly how she ticks quite yet, she’s an awesome young lady.  She’s friendly and has a great sense of who she is and what she wants to be.  Of the three, she is the most dedicated and focused.  She knocks my socks off every time I turn around and I’m in complete awe of her.  I’m lucky to have her as my daughter.  (And may I add, I’m so glad that her teeth finally started coming in for school pictures.  She’s been sporting her snaggle-tooth look for almost a year.  I must admit admit, she looks much better with teeth LOL)
Sam is in his second year of preschool and sporting the four year old status.  He’s constantly cracking me up with his witty personality.  He’s quite the smooth talker already (I’m dreading the older years when he’s using it on everyone else) and can talk us into just about anything or get himself out of trouble.  He’s on his own course in life, and it’s been interesting in watching him grow and learn at his own pace.  He aims to please, but on his own terms, which I just love and admire.  It seems as though he’s inherited his stubbornness from both his parents, meaning he’s doubly as stubborn and the other two kids, which I imagine will work to his advantage in his life.  This little guy of my rocks!

Sam’s first day of school

Sam started school a week later than the other two kids.  The wait absolutely killed him.  I dropped him off Tuesday and not even a whimper came out of him.  I can see this year is going to be a good year for him.

Halloween ideas!!!!

getting a bit of a head start on Halloween with these beauties… I'm going to make the kids help me since I'm such a mean mom ;-)

yarn spiders

Back to school

It’s official.  Today was back to school for the two older kids.  Both were super excited to go back and that, in return, makes me super excited.  Sam heads back to preschool in a few weeks.  I will then have 2 hours of sweet quiet bliss three days a week.

As for me, I start school up again “officially” the first of September.  I’m about 1/2 way through getting my Bachelor’s degree.  It’ll be nice to step it up and get moving on it again.

Sam's birthday is coming up next week

and i've got plans in the works for his birthday party this weekend.  But as scatterbrained as i feel right now, i'm posting what i WANT to do for his birthday here.  Actually results will most definatly vary.

from here:  pleasant-home

I've got this great idea of making this kind of cake for Sam.  Only make it a double decker and put a train on it (yup, still a train (and Lego) freak!).

I've also thought about doing a ice-cream sundae bar.

EAK! i can't wait!

doing a little fixing up in my scraproom...

and i'm REALLY needing to get my ideas all in one place.  So here we go....

from here:  funky junk interiors
I kind of want to have doors or something of the like on my scrapbook room.  Something i can leave open when i want to but something i can use to close it off when i have a lot of kids running around downstairs or to just block off the mess in there. 

LOVE LOVE LOVE the look of these and they would be very functionable, and totally fits in with our tastes.

...and how about this!

combined with this: 

from here: knock-off wood      Thinking that this would be perfect in my scrapbook room.  I really like the double shelves and absolutely LOVE the sink in it too.  my room is already set up for a sink, we have the sink, and we even have the faucet.  Now i just need a table to put it on!  I could get rid of some of those wire cubes that i have stuff stored in and use the shelves on the table... Nice huh?

and that towelbar in the front!  DUH! i would have never thought of that!

a little motivation

a little something-something to keep me motivated through this schooling (and more) part of my life.

I spend a LOT of time here at my desk so i figured it was more than fitting to put it where i can see this day in and day out.

The message to myself:

Never let someone say you can't do something.

Prove them wrong and show them that it's in you to become more than you are right now.

Easter 2010

Easter felt different this year. 

I'm not sure why. 

It seemed to come too fast and by the time i warmed up to it, it was gone just as fast. 

Maybe it has to do with the fact that i've been pre-occupied with school that i feel like i can't keep up with the daily stuff that's happening around me. 

Regardless, it was nice to share Easter with Taylor, Jared and Quintin. 

I just love that bunch.

We did the typical Saturday-before-Easter-Sunday thing.

We headed to the foothills to BBQ, shoot clay pigeons, have a easter egg hunt, and roll eggs down the hill.

It was cold, which is nothing new, but the wind made for some great kite flying and bubble blowing.

A few things to note:

*Daylon has sadly hit that age where he's considered too old to hunt for easter eggs. 

*On the other hand, Daylon has also hit that age where he can, without my freaking out, participate in the clay pigeon shoot... and hold his own.

*Rianne, being one of the VERY few girls in the family, has a huge advantage over the boys and easter goodies, namely easter plush toys.  Boys don't like girly toys... well most of them. 

*Rianne and Jayden are attached at the hip, and i can't be more thankful for that.  Rianne really needs some girl influence in her life and Jayden was my miricle this weekend.  (thank you Jayme)

*Sam and Quintin might as well be brothers.  They have a great love/hate relationship going on there.  Sadly, at this moment, Sam is heartbroken that Quintin is gone.

*For Easter, I bought myself a tulip plant.  I've decided that I really love flowers, regardless if some people think they are a waste of money.  It's nice to see a happy, sunny spot in my house. 

(...and i've decided that i'd really like a pussy willow.  I've forgotten how amazing they are)

it's been that long?

It's been mentioned that i've fogotten about those of you in blog land and that i should really update my blog.  Not a whole lot has happened since blogging last.  I'm not even sure i've pulled out the camera since Rianne's baptism.  Sad but true.  I've been studying my tail off and have made it through the first term (6 months) of school.  So far, so good.  I'm learning things now that i just couldn't even begin to wrap my brain around in High School.  I consider that a HUGE success on my part.  The math is starting to come around and almost, dare i say, fun.  My current term is full of HUGE classes like Quantitive Analysis (which i just passed! and wasn't nearlly as scary as i thought it would be), Economics (macro and micro), and Marketing.  Next term, i break into the finance and accounting part of it.  If all goes as planned, i'll have my BS degree by August of next year (fingers crossed). 

In other news, hmmm.... not sure there is really any other news worthy news.  I'm back on the weightloss bandwagon again.  I'm determined to loose those "freshman 15" (although, i'm glad i'm not to that extra 15 yet) since starting school.  DarRell is working again after a long, no new work hiatus. 

Daylon, Rianne, and Sam are doing the school thing and it's working out well. 

Daylon just bought his own DSi after spending over a year to save up for it.  I'm quite proud of the little man.  Although it does give me a lot of leverage to help him keep his grades up. 

He's decided he really likes the "arts" part of school.  Not actually the art class but more like drama and band. 

Life is a bit "hard" for him being the older brother.  Especially when he's the oldest by several years compaired to all the kids around here.  And to top it off, he's in that stage in life where he's left out of a lot of stuff cause he's too old but then he's not old enough to do the other stuff.  I hate this age.  It's so hard to see them try to (forced into?) transition.

Rianne is flying through school with flying colors. She's actually starting to get a little bored with it and starting to slip up.  School seems to come quite easily for her and is in the top of her class.

She's an absolute girly-tomboy, if there is such a thing.  She likes it rough and tumble but is the first to cry foul when she gets roughed up a bit.  She thinks it's tough being the only girl in a house of boys (i don't count, ask her.  Although i do get her point).  I feel bad that she doesn't have a little girl her age to play with at her beck and call.  I think she needs a little bit more of "girl influence" in her life.

Sam is doing great.  Since starting school, his personality and vocabulary has opened up in incredible leaps and bounds.

He enjoys all the attention he gets being the baby.  He's got quite the personality and is always smiling.  We are starting to get over that 3's attitude i think - WHEW! 

He's really into trains and helecopters and legos.  Definately legos!  He can sit for hours, literally, playing with them.  He still struggles with sleeping all night long and eating but i can see improvements in both so hopefully we are on the way to being a "normal" household with EVERYONE sleeping at night and sitting at the dinner table together as a family instead of customizing everything to suit Sam's stubborn needs.

The ABC's of me

...because I haven't updated this thing in a while. Lots of things going on lately, but not really anything I want to share with the world and, for the most part, it's quite boring... like school stuff and all.  So here's a fun little diddy, for just cause... and because i'm taking a break from the books right now.

A- Age: I'm not feeling like i'm in my 20's anymore, and that makes me sad.  I'm not sure i could get away with looking 23 anymore, although, i don't look my age? which is a good thing.  Let's just say that the grey is getting quite prominent and the smile lines are getting deeper.

B- Bed size: Depending on which bed i sleep in that night.  It varies from the couch, to a twin, to a queen, to a king.  The couch is just uncomfortable (unless i move to the downstairs one... i LOVE that one!), the twin is just too hard to get comfortable on with little knees in your back, the king feels TOO big, but then again, sometimes the queen feels too small.  I'm not complaining... just saying.  Oh, and to answer the question... the master bedroom houses the king, which i sleep in most of the time anyways.

C- Chore you hate: cleaning tubs with the toilets in a close 2nd.  Tubs are just HARD to clean, add a few jets in the mix, and it seems impossible.  Note to self: although jetted tubs seem like a great idea, you don't ever use it and they are a PAIN to clean... cross that... impossible to clean.

D- Dog's name: Pudge (RIP), PJ (RIP), Gabby (RIP), and Scooter... sigh.  Anyone looking for a good dog?  LOVE Scooter to death and i love the idea of having pets, but the third child was a doozie.  Add a dog to the mix and i'm SO overwhelmed.

E- Essential food/item: Ro-Tel, Chicken (but i think i'm over the chicken bit for now after a little food poisoning spell - BLECK!), canned tomatoes, ground meat of some sort, chili peppers and cheese.  Makes for a quick, easy, and cheap chili meal, which i'm all for lately.

F- Favorite color: Yellow... always has been, always will be.  Ask anyone that knows me well

G- Gold or silver: proably silver.  I want to like gold but it just doesn't fit me

H- Height: 5'5"ish

I- I am: moving on to bigger, better things in life.  It's all about change for the better, even if it means rough times ahead to get to that green pasture in life.

J- Job: lately... "just" a mom (you mom's know what i mean).  Part-time clerk, full time secretary (just wish i got paid for the secretary part).  Someday... someday... someday i'll be something.  Not sure what as of yet, but i'm open to it.

K- Kids: 3 of them.  Two boys and a girl.  I like to call them my bookend boys, one older and one younger.  They are there for my little girl, got her squished right there in the middle, just the way i like it.  And i'm amazed by all three of them.  I'm glad we ended up haveing them so far apart, because i'm able to celebrate that little moment of time with each one of them without them running into each other.

L- Living arrangements: a little home we buit pretty much ourselves.  It's got our blood, sweat and tears wrapped up in it.  The family drama part of it, I could really do without though... REALLY do without.

M-Mom's name: She's always Mom to me.  I've rarely called her by her actual name, it just feels too weird.  It's even weird calling her Grandma.  Needless to say, my kids get really confused when i'm talking about my mom, since they consider her Grandma.  They've only come to the understanding lately that Grandma is really my mom.

N- Nickname: Jo or Joey.  I can usually tell my friends from just aquantances.  If they've just met me, I'm Jolynn.  When it gets to the more comfortable part of our relationship, it moves to Jo.  My true friends, i find, call me Joey.  It feels like... Home.  I'm comfortable being called Joey.

O- Overnight hospital stay: sadly... too many.  Way too many for my age... WAY too many.

P- Pet peeve: Talking to someone and them ignoring me... HATE it!  Yes... HATE it!  Close second:  smoke being blown up my butt or being "humored".  I kinda like being taken seriously sometimes.  I do have an opinion... one that matters even ;-)

Q- Quote from a movie: Lucky...  ( in my best Napoleon Dynamite voice... *giggle*)

R- Right or left handed: Right

S- Siblings: a older sister, a younger brother, and a younger sister.  For the longest time, my brother and i had schoolmates convinced we were twins.  He was just a bit slower and that's why he was in a lower grade.  Looking back, that was a terrible thing to say, but pretty impressive that we kept it up for so long.  I miss my biggest sister terribly right now... there's so much that we both just... get right now.  I'd love to just hang out with her, just to hang out.

T- Time you wake up: i should wake up at 7:00am with the kids, but for some reason my body just doesn't want to.  Thankfully, DarRell is nice enough to get up with the olders, and lets me sleep 20 minutes longer, which is what my body wants to do.  Sure enough, 7:20am and i'm up.  Just like clockwork.

U- Unique thing about your car: my car... meaning my truck, sounds like a deisel truck.  Mind you, it is NOT a diesel.  And sadly, it's now just a glorified car.  It's can't pull anything anymore and it has a lot of problems with it (the "clacking" that makes it sound like a diesel is a bent rod and the electrical problems are a "wait and see what happens" thing) but i can carry a lot of "stuff" in the back... that's always nice.

V- Vegetable you hate: Mashed Potatoes.  Hands down the worst thing ever!  I know, say it, i'm weird.  I can accept that, but i can't accept the mashed up stuff.  *BARF*

W- Ways you run late: gotta be my little man.  He's always got something he "needs" to do before we go anywhere.  It may be nothing, but it's always something with him.  Lately, it's been "i'm falling" as i drag him everwhere. *sigh*  I can't help but love him though

X- X-rays you've had: wow.... remember number "O"?  Ya, this question goes hand in hand with that one

Y- Yummy food you make: Oatmeal Pie... just because i can.

Z- Zoo favorite: Gosh... i don't know.  It's been so long since i've been to the zoo, that i'm not sure what i enjoy anymore.  Last trip to the zoo was not very enjoyable at ALL (morning sickness + zoo = absolute repoltion!).  Can i count see world as a zoo?  Cause i REALLY liked SeaWorld... and Cabellas aquarium.

a bit more scrappi-ness

because, first, it's been done for a while

and secondly, it feels really good to be back scrapbooking!

Enjoy!

Rianne's Baptism

This weekend Rianne got baptized.  We waited an extra month to do it so we could get a bit more organized after the big holidays and so that more family could make it out.

Rianne was tickled pink to be able to share her big day with her cousin, Talmage.  There is only a week difference between the two of them (Rianne being the oldest of the two of them).

It was a good day.  Rianne felt like the princess for the day.

She got a new dress complete with shoes and all the little "accessories" to make it special. 

She got her hair all dolled up (which actually made it through the WHOLE day, during the baptism itself and after!)

She had a lot of family supporting her.  Lots of family there to celebrate her big day.  Lots of congratulations and a few gifts and cards to remember her day by.

And by the day's end, with bellies full of pizza, we all called it a successful day...

... and remind her of how proud we are of her.

a little scrappy goodness...

It's been way too long since i've posted anything i've scrapped.  I do have a few excuses though:

1. I went back to school.  I've had my head in the books a LOT lately.  Although, I finished up my term early and decided not to add any more classes to my term so I'm left with a little bit of free time on my hands right now until the new term starts back up.
2. My scanner hates me.  Actually, I think my laptop does too.  Apparently, i only have enough memory on my computer to work the very bare minimums and unfortunately, my scanner isn't one of them.  It will only scan once before it gets "lost".  My only choice is to uninstall and then re-install again.  So far, I've decided it's not worth the effort but it makes me OH SO MAD!!!
3. The scanner hooked up the desktop is having the same issues, but i really don't know what that problem is, and frankly, i'm too frustrated to figure it out for now.
4. A three year old named Sam.  Do I need say more?

However, before my scanner got "lost" when I re-installed it the last time, I did manage to scan in one whole layout!  Sadly, it's the only layout I've done in months and months... well, besides the December Daily I've been working on (and is ALMOST done!).  I'm quite proud of it though, and I really wanted to share it, so here it is!

Water, Imagination, Warm Fuzzies

1) Water.
As I strive to drink down my 96+ oz of water daily, I think of those in Haiti and their lack of clean drinkable water, among other things. (and my friend, who's words are now constantly ringing in my head, when i think of her visit to Haiti and the terrible living conditions.  Her heart is breaking from the terrible news in Haiti, where she and her family adopted their son from and wonder if those they know are alive or dead) as i wash my family's laundry, clean our dishes, and bathe my children.  I feel privledged to be in a place where our basic needs are, quite often, taken for granted. 

2) Imagination.
While sitting back minding my own business, I overhear a converation Sam is having with himself between two blanket bears (one is white and actually belongs to Rianne.  The other a blue bear rattle blanket.  I intend to stow both away when he grows tired of them).  Turns out, that 1) the three year old has got quite the imagination, and, 2) by the sounds of it, we've got to do a little less of the demanding and a little bit more of the nice talking. 

3) Warm Fuzzies.
Tonight, while warming up some cheesey garlic bread in the oven, the smell brought in lots of warm, fuzzy feel-goods.  If only I could bottle those feel-goods and open them up on my rainy days.

quiet, back to what feels right, and music

It's been a *LONG* time since i've done a 3 Beautiful Things post.  I think it's about time, don't you?

1) The Quiet of the House. 
The family went to church while i stayed home and sluffed took some time for myself.  I know the quiet will be gone here in a few hours but I am enjoying it in the here and now and using it to center my thoughts.

2) Back To What Feels Right. 
I've finished up my school term way ahead of schedule so i have decided to take the rest of what's left of the term and focus on what makes me happy.  I've picked back up my glue, pictures, and scissors, made a big mess of my craft room and started to enjoy what pulled me to scrapbooking in the first place.  I'm letting my creativity flow and it feels good.

3) Music.
Feeling the beat of a good song ring through my bones.  Letting it take over my thoughts and suck me in.  I've forgotten how much i love music and how lost i feel without it.

40 looks pretty darn good

We celebrated DarRell's 40th birthday yesterday.  It was nothing big, just a little family get together.  I had this huge idea of making it some kind a big bash but when it came down to it, dreaming it was a lot easier than actually doing it.

I did make sure that we celebrated though.    We invited family, because it was just a small bash... and when you invite family, small is actually large.  I did the whole "over the hill" stuff complete with 40 black balloons and black cake with the 40 black candles. 

All in all, it was good. I hope he enjoyed it. And personally, I'm SO glad it's over with... talk about pressure!

And, I thought I'd never say this but...

40 looks good.

REALLY good!

Yes, I think it does!

Obviously, I can't make up my mind.

...and as much as I loved the previous template, I couldn't figure out how to write a new post.  So, I'm changing it up again.  And, I REALLY love this new template. It's a bit dark, which i guess isnt' too bad, but I'm REALLY missing the three columns.  But, I can post again, so it's all good!

I've been getting back to scrapbooking.  I've missed it and i've got a renewed love for it again lately.  I hope to be able to post some picutres of my December Daily before too long, I've just got to finish it.  Just know that i haven't given up completely on the scrapbooking thing, i've just got a lot on my plate right now with my school (which come friday, i'll be done with this term!) and the kids school.  I'm trying to learn to take time doing things i enjoy, and this happens to be one of them.

Window shopping

While I try to make it through our spending freeze, I've decide that I found my favorite place to window shop is here.  These little paperclip birds are to die for!!!  And all the other million other things that they have, what's not to love about this place? 

So, if I can't shop in real life, then i'm going to be here filling my shopping cart..  Even though it means that I won't actually be buying it, it almost fills that need to spend money.

That's what i get

for messing around with my blog template. I LOST all my blog links. So, for those of you who read my blog, thanks! And i want to do the same so PLEASE leave a link to your blog so that i can back up my blog links

REALLY needing a change

With the new year comes a new urge for change. Right now I'm really craving change on my blog. I'm sick of the old template that i have had on my blog for, well... forever. As you can see, i've changed it and really still hating it but i don't have a clue how to even go about changing it beyond the already preset templates. So I'm reaching out to whom ever reads my blog for some help.

2009 in Pictures

2009 was a year of firsts... a lot of firsts
(click on the month and it'll take you to that months archive)

January

We started a new family night activity. Every Friday is Movie night. We pull out the hide away bed, throw in a movie and spend the night vegging in front of the tv.

I vowed to lose weight and joined Weight Watchers.

We started potty training Sam

Daylon tried basketball, and loved it, even though he was there more for the social aspect then the sport aspect.





February

Sam became 100% potty trained!!!

I continued the weight loss journey, and found out what worked for me and what didn't

I scrapbooked, and i was proud of it












March

Rianne out-fished her dad, and it rocked! (and we did it in short sleeve shirts at the river in March!)

Decided that eating healthy is expensive!!! WHOA!

Maria became my fitness idol

We enjoyed the Sportsman Expo this year. That's something we've never done before!







April

Easter up Poverty. It was a great day for flying kites... and it was cold

Daylon participated in his last PineWood derby

I decided that i was going to run in the July 24th Milk Run... and then never did





May

Sam turned three! He was really into trains... and firetrucks of course

My bestie, Kathleen, graduated from The University of Pheonix with a double Bachalors Degree! She became my inspiration

The kids started summer break.

Daylon and Rianne danced in their year end recital... and rocked it

Celebrated Memorial Day weekend with 90% of DarRell's family

I hit the 15lb loss mark in May... and a MAJOR platau


June

We decided to get out more and do more things this year. One of our favorite places to go was Capitol Reef. Hickman Bridge was our first hike, and so far, our favorite.

Daylon spent a few days at Science Camp in Cedar City. Another first for him... and us


July

Daylon turned 11

We moved out friday night movie night outside. I loved that

The 4th of July was spent doing our usual 4th of July stuff

We spent time in the pool and night sleeping out on the trampoline

The McDonald family reunion (if you can call it that) ended up being over the 24th of July. And ended up being a CRAZY time for us with our usual 24th of July fireman duties

Kaye and two of her kids spent some time with us. One of my favorite things this year!

I turned 35 without much notice, which was a bit of a bummer

We lost our Pudge. Our first dog which also happened to be our first baby. 14 1/2 years (which translated into something like 101 years old in dog years) he'd been with us. We still miss him

We spent more time outside visiting Capitol Reef

Grandpa Mac did Daylon's Arrow of Light Ceremony. It was completely awesome!

August

The kids headed back to school. Daylon started the 6th grade in Middle School, Rianne in 2nd grade, and we started sycking up Sam for pre-school

We enjoyed a State park close to home... REALLY close to home. The Fremont Indian State Park











September

Sam started pre-school. It's been REALLY hard for him having us dropping him off every week

More of the Fremont Indian State Park

The kids, minus Sam, spent Labor Day Weekend with Maria and Justin. They say it's our gift to them, but we really think it's their gift to us. We all got to go see Thanksgiving Point. I think i loved it more than anyone else

I started school at Western Governors University to get my Bachelors Degree in Business Management

Rianne's soccer season wrapped up

I hit my lowest weight of the year with 27lbs lost, which is just over half of what i wanted to lose overall

October

I fell off the weight loss wagon

More time spent at Capitol Reef

HALLOWEEN

I fell off the blogger wagon and never got back on the weight loss wagon

We bought a used piano so that Daylon could practice better



November


We stuck around home for Thanksgiving with most of DarRell's family down

We went and cut down our Christmas tree the weekend of Thanksgiving... always a nice tradition
I completely fell off the blogging wagon and it took off without me


December

We attended the Monroe City light ceremony and saw Santa Clause. First time ever with the kids (now thats pretty sad).

We had a lot of snow this year so the kids spent a ton of time outside in it

We celebrated Rianne's 8th birthday in Tooele with family. We decided to go bowling and had a great time

The ward Christmas party where the kids saw santa AGAIN!

Daylon played in the school band and danced for his Middle School Christmas program

CHRISTMAS! of course

The kids got to hang out with their best friends, The Erickson's, for a day while they were down visiting from Montana

My dad's and DarRell's mom both had their birthdays

DarRell and I celebrated 15 years of marriage on New Years Eve and then spent the night eating crab and steak with the firemen

Spent the last 3 months gaining back 7lbs

Resolutions

Yes, i know resolutions are for the strong, which for the most part, i am not. But once again i am going to make them. Not a whole lot of them, just ongoing things that i really need to focus on to make my life, and my outlook on life, better.

So, here it goes:

1. Lose another 10 lbs. (I'm really trying to being realistic here. First number i put down was 20lbs. I want to be optimistic and think that i can REALLY lose all of those 20lbs, but a girl has got to be realistic... and frankly, this girl likes to eat). I lost 26 lbs in 2009, gained 7 of those pounds back. This year, i want to be able to lose those 7lbs and then some. I know it all starts with eating right, so that's where I'm starting.
2. Be almost done with my Bachelors degree. I stepped out of my comfort zone last year and really did some soul searching and decided that i needed to do something more with my life. As much as i love staying home with my kids and being a "housewife", i realize that the kids will move out and start their own lives. I want to do something with my life after being just "a mom". So, i decided that school was a must. An associated degree won't get anyone very far so i started the journey to getting my Bachelors Degree in Business Management. I started school at Western Governors University in September of 2009. So far, i have officially completed 13 credit hours with 12 more credit hours in the process of being finished up for the first term. At this rate, i hope to be finished with my degree in about another year, if not less.
3. Be well on our way to be completely debt free. I believe this was one of last years resolutions? But we got a good start on it, and now we are riding the wave back to the debt free shore. We still have a little bit to go but it feels great knowing we have a plan and that plan is very much in action.
4. Integrate my "One Little Word" into my everyday life. I've done this for the last two years (first year was Manage, and last year was ReThink). I haven't been 100% successful in keeping with it (although, looking back on 2009... i did a TON of ReThinking. It was a good year for my one little word!), but it's done plenty in getting my thoughts and actions in the right direction. This year I've decided on FOCUS. I will be focusing more on obtaining my goals/resolutions for this year instead of merely just thinking of them.

This year will be a good year.
I have all the power inside of me to make it so... and i will!

and so...

My Wish for You in 2010
May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips.
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy.
May the problems you had forget your home address.
May you have a stong, healthy, and productive new year!
Happy New Year!!!