First Post of 2011 - Resolutions, Thoughts and a Lot of Rambling!

Why does time pass so quickly?? I can't believe it has been nearly 2 months since I've made a post on this blog. So much is going on in life and we let the little things pass us by. I want to take notice of the small things this year ... be aware of them and enjoy them.

Resolutions:

I am learning that there is so much to be thankful for ... the top on my list is my family. Each one has such unique qualities, personalities and attributes. I am proud of each of them and look to them to teach me, buoy me up during difficult times, and to remind me of my "younger years"and much more. I can look in their eyes and remember what life was like when they were young and dependent on me. Now I find a new dependence that I have for each of them. They are my friends! I am so blessed!

Resolution #1: Tell my family often that I love and appreciate them. Don't take it for granted that they already know.

I have spent so much time in my life looking forward. Looking forward to when Mike and I had a family ..... to when the kids were old enough to do things on their own .... to when I could leave them alone for a while without worrying every minute I was gone (I know, that was wishful thinking! I always worried!) .... to when they were grown .... to when I had time to do the things I put off like genealogy work, studying scriptures, reading a good book, spend more time with parents, ..... to when Mike and I had more time to spend together (guess that time is behind me, when we worked together professionally cause it seems like we see so much less of one another now) .... to retirement (the only retirement I can foresee is getting "tired" and then getting "tired" again). Yep! I've spent much of my time looking forward and not truly enjoying the moment! Need to work on that.

Resolution #2: Take time to read 2 books a month, try to schedule regular "date nights" with my good husband, and work at knowing my ancestors by doing at least 1 project a month in family genealogy.

This year I want to become a better person but I am going to begin by making only two resolutions. I don't want to make it so difficult that I can't accomplish them. So there you have them .... in writing. I have always been told that if you write them down, you have more of a chance to actually do them. We will see how that works for me!! In 2010, I resolved to try to become more patient. I still have a long way to go with that one so I have to continue on that as well. I've always been a slow learner!!

Here Come the Holidays!

Here it is! Year's end and facing the holidays! I love Thanksgiving and Christmas because to me it means family and togetherness . Of course, there is all of the food preparations, the shopping, the wrapping of gifts, the tree to put up, the outside decorating to do, the parties to plan and execute, and all the work that goes with all of it. But being with family is the best part of all!

The season makes me think of all the blessings that I have been given and I give thanks to a kind Heavenly Father for knowing me and recognizing my needs and the desires of my heart. This year has not been an easy one for me and I have had a lot of life-altering adjustments to make but I know that He knows that I CAN do it. He has blessed me with a wonderful husband, family and extended family that show me their love, understanding and support. I recognize their concern and am grateful for it and for them. I have come to appreciate each one of them even more this year than I did before. I am thankful for each of you. I am truly blessed!

I pray that as we approach this Thanksgiving week that we can express our love and thanksgiving to one another and especially to a wonderful Father in Heaven who has given so much to us all. We each have challenges to face but that is how we grow. May those difficult times draw us nearer to Him.

Happy Thanksgiving!!