Holly Jolly

Am I the only one who felt that Christmas just flew by this year? I kept feeling like it just wasn't Christmas....and it never felt like Christmas this year to me. I put up lights, a tree, bought all the presents well in advance, procrastinated giving presents out to neighbors and friends like usual (some of them are still sitting in my living room to be delivered, my husband tells me to give up, but I WILL deliver them come hell or high water)....we even went to the ward Christmas party this year. But it just never felt like it should be Christmas or was. I'm not really sure why, except that since I was put in as YW pres. in our ward, I've been running from one thing to the next and don't ever quite have the time to catch up. Don't get me wrong, I love working in YW and we have a great group of girls....but there's always something going on and I'm on my 3rd set of counselors since being put in 2 years ago, and 2nd set of teachers and somehow I still end up doing more then I'm supposed to be doing. I'm beginning to develop a complex about how much of a leader I AM NOT. I'm definately not a born leader....meaning, I don't particularly care to be in charge. I can do the job, my organizational skills are lacking though...which I think leaves everyone under me scrambling.

Well, I just felt like Christmas was another thing on my proverbial list of things to get done. And that's it. It was one more thing to get done and over with and move on to the next thing. So, we did. We got it done, and now we're moving on to the next thing....which for the past 2 1/2 weeks has been being sick with the nastiest cold ever! It's been a lesson on being grateful for good health and that we aren't sick very often around here. I really have compassion on people who are sick chronically or a lot because I don't like being sick, or seeing my family be sick, and I'm sooooooo grateful we aren't much of the time. Being sick is a great way to put those new year's resolutions into a kick start....you know....the ones like: go to bed at a decent time, eat healthier, spend time as a family more, eat less candy and chocolate....

My other REALLY BIG new year's resolution for this year is to get my life/home/etc. organized. As noted earlier, I've basically stunk at this for awhile, and I'm tired of living a crazy life. So I started, partly as a Christmas present to my husband...slightly lame I know, to get my home organized....and I'm talking: pulling crap from every corner closet out and throw away/donate/clean/organize type of organizing. It's been GREAT!!!! And a LONG LONG time coming....but I'm determined to get my house in order and do it NOW! It's never, and I mean NEVER, been that way since we moved in 7 years ago...we've always had crap stashed around and I'm done with it. It's not healthy and not good. So, as overwhelming as it may seem (those of you who've been to my house know what I'm talking about here) I'm going to get it done. I rarely put my mind to doing something, but once I do, it happens. I'm super excited though. I had some really inspirational moments pre-holiday time to help me figure some things out, and so I'm excited. Did I say I was excited....cause I'm excited. Well, I probably won't blog until after this massive undertaking is done *shocker* so until then...have a happy life :)

HALLOWEEN 2010

So...... I decided to save some mulah this year by making the kids' halloween costumes. Quite honestly, I'm rather proud of my efforts. Oh, believe me, I know they are nothing great. I'm not a sewer by any means, but I can straight stitch and apparently that, some trips to find my wares at the thrift store, and a little creative thinking can get you

a FIREMAN

and a LADY BUG

Yes, I would do it again...it was kind-of fun and challenging. And it did, in fact, save money. Adam's costume cost $2.00 (yellow poncho and fire hat) and Emily's was $1.00 (red t-shirt). The rest came from stuff I had around the house, including wings for Em which I made from wire hangers and some old nylon black stockings I had. And this works perfectly because they are too young to notice if their costume is home-made (y'all know what that means). Adam actually had a lot of fun being a fireman...he felt pretty cool. Emily was just happy to get some candy. And I was a proud mamma :) I even dressed up in an old dance costume of my mom's. I hope everyone had a happy halloween!

Summer is so full of fun and we have had a great time with family this year. Here's a few pics to show you what we've been up to...family reunions, swimming, fireworks, camping, playing, and a little resting. I LOVE the summer and spending time with my wonderful family!

shake it shake it

Another word from our sponsors...

O-Town

This past weekend we went to Ogden for our annual Austin family reunion (Mike's mom's brothers/sisters and families). Now I'm not sure why, but in the past my perception of Ogden always included the word "ghetto," but now I totally look forward to going up each year and hanging out. Maybe it's because I'm starved for vacation time and suffer from a case of wanderlust every other week, or maybe because I love Nola's family so much, but either way it's such a treat for me to go. It's been a family tradition to go fishing (if that's really what you'd call it....it's like fishing on speed...I feel like I'm cheating every time but it's really fun) at a nearby fish hatchery. This started when Mike was a wee boy and we've gone every year...but it's more fun having your own kids share in the fun...as you can see by the included video below. Enjoy the pics...I'm the family's personal paparazzi. Tootles!

We also went downtown to the old train museum because Adam has a passion for trains. It was interesting to see how frickin' huge those locomotive engines were. The weather was not condusive to doing much else, so we just chilled like Bob Dyl (Dylan that is) the rest of the time.

Gimme some peace.love.& happiness

why let this world weigh on your shoulders
pick it up push it off
before you let yourself colder
just look into the eyes
the good eyes of a child and see
that love rise like a river
and flow for a thousand miles
to give me some
peace love happiness
Breath in deep
feel your heart beat
just to know that life's worth living
feel your feet on the earth
you gotta (better) love it
while it's still here spinning
I got no time to worry about troubles or misgiving
just let it go
let yourself flow
cause if you're hating
then you sure ain't living
gimme some
peace love and happiness
lotta people talking
need somebody to listen
lots of people struggling
if you got
then you better start giving a little more
peace love and happiness


***yes, I've already been accused of being a hippie-loving-tree-hugging-freakaleak in my life thanks.

:)

You can DANCE if you want too.