Horror of Horrors

To borrow my friend Jenny's word of the week, I have had an epiphany! And it's not good. You know those people who just bug you? The ones you can't wait to get away from, and you really wish you weren't stuck talking to/sitting next to/carpooling with/insert your own nightmare here. The ones with the habit(s) that drive you crazy? I just realized that I have turned into one of those people that drive me crazy...why oh why didn't I notice somewhere along the road...sometime before I was full blown into this habit, sometime when I could have made a simple course correction instead of a complete u turn and total overhaul? ACK! And no, you'll never drag out of me how I've become this person with the habit I can't stand. Hopefully it's not a habit that drives you crazy, and I'll be able to make a course correction before I drive all my family and friends away completely...and I am totally...utterly...absolutely...alone with my annoying habit...

Brrr...That's Cold!

We had a great time at our first winter family reunion. The kids loved the snow, we went skiing and sledding, had snowball fights, saw lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and of course Grandpa! Almost the whole family made it, and it was so much fun! I have discovered once again that I am not a talented photographer, not a huge shocker. Thankfully my sisters are much better, and I anxiously await their improved photos coming my way. Here are a few of my attempts at capturing some memories...

We arrived Sunday night, after a very long drive. We were so happy to have clear weather, and a smooth, safe drive! Monday morning it was off to Kirkwood ski resort for a fun day of skiing. Jamie, Kiefer & Quinn all took lessons together. Tate, Thane and Sage took a full day of lessons. Jeff hit the slopes!

This is Sage during her lessons, she loved them more than anyone else I think. This girl loves her adrenaline! She was smiling every time we checked in on her, even if she was falling down! Tate promptly declared Skiing as his new favorite sport, and this day as the best day of his entire life-ever!


Jeff snapped this photo at the top of the bunny hill at the end of the day. We are just about to head off on a run down the slopes...all 7 of us! We ended up being the last group on the hills, when we walked in to return our equipment they knew just who we were!

What's a trip to the snow without a snowball fight, or two, or three??? Here is Sage in action, she thought it was hilarious to hit the grownups with a good snowball. Below she is throwing one at Uncle Brian. He was a very good sport!

The uncles and some of the older boys made a very cool sledding run out behind the cabin, even including a tunnel ...it was a big hit. It was a lot of work, and the kids really loved it! Here is Kiefer coming out of the tunnel.

Here are a couple of photos of the front of the cabin we stayed in. This big one was where most of the family stayed, there was a small cabin in back where 4 more stayed, and another "bunkhouse" the teenage boys slept in. I think they had the warmest place to sleep, I was very tempted to attempt a coup and take over their "house." I think I would have had a fight on my hands.

More to come, but that's a good start!

Shhhh...do you hear that?

I don't do the whole list of new years resolutions thing, I won't go into all the reasons why, I just don't. I do however like to choose one word, one concept, one area to focus on for the year. One year I focused on being a better steward-in all areas of life. One year my mantra was simplify. Another year I just wanted to find the joy. As I have thought about 2009, and what I want to do, or where I want my life to be heading in 2010 I have wandered about in my mind. Stopping for a moment here, testing out a new resting spot over there, never really finding a comfortable spot to sit and meditate. And then, it just hit me driving down the street in the car. I need to LISTEN. The more I perused and wandered around this new area in my thinking, the more I knew this is where I need to head. LISTEN

This is where I am, as a person, as a wife, as a mother, as a friend. I spend a lot of time hearing all sorts of noise, children asking for rides, what's for dinner, did I run this errand, did I make that phone call, do I have that paperwork, when is this meeting, what are we going to do about _____, but do I LISTEN?

I looked up the definition a few places, and this is what I found 1. to make a conscious effort to hear 2. to pay attention to something and take it into account 3. to hear with intention 4. an act of making an effort to hear something

LISTEN is a verb, to truly LISTEN requires effort, focus, and a willingness to act on what you have heard. My hope for 2009 is that I learn to truly LISTEN, to make that conscious effort to hear what people are saying with not only their lips, but with their hearts as well. LISTEN to the Spirit, LISTEN to my husband, LISTEN to my children, LISTEN to my friends, LISTEN to myself, LISTEN to those I work with at Church, LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN.


Shhhh....do you hear that? LISTEN...it just might change the way I live...