GOOD TIMES

ENTERTAINING OURSELVES

ALMIRA FAWN

TONIGHT

This is where it was at tonight. The local fundraiser, where the
proceeds go to support the building of an Ethiopian orphanage. The
Collin Cox fund, and several other charities.

The highlight for Naomi was the little 12 year old, Almira Fawn. She's
a local who submitted her application to "America's got Talent". She
got front row, pictures and video. I must admit, she is very talented!

Elijah got the responsiblity of running the show, and we got the
entertainment.!

WORKOUT

With most people, a new year brings about new changes inside and out. Some people want to eat better, some people want to get in better shape, and some people want to have a better attitude. The list goes on as you can see.

I have shared some of the changes I want to make with my self, but getting in shape was something that goes unspoken. Always wanting to be in good shape, but not always taking the time to get there. Off and on I been doing work out videos but not consistently. The other day I found this one at the local Dollar Tree. Realizing my habit of not sticking with videos, I thought what could I loose since it only cost $1. Got it home, popped it in and 35 minutes later I had had a good laugh, learned some new moves, broke a sweat, and had some fun. The laughing come from me being one step behind most of the time but still easy enough to follow. I don't know if I will ever get as good as Kili is, but maybe I will get in better shape and have fun trying.

So, for those of you who know some Hawaiian dance moves, I did the kaholo, hela, double hela, kawelu, ka'o, ku'i and 'ami. I now have an new respect for those dancers who make it look so beautiful and easy. Now, if I could just do it with a smile on my face like Kili!

BONDING

This is how the boys do it in the winter time. Sharing games, stories
and brotherly love. Makes me very happy to see the smiles on their
faces.

MY PRETTY LITTLE GIRL....

That wants to grow up fast. I'm sure that people think that I
encourage her to look and dress the way she does. Anyone that KNOWS
her knows differently. This girl has a mind of her own and is NOT
afraid to voice her opinion. Believe me, I have tried many times to
get her to wear things that I like, knowing they would be beautiful on
her. Only to see them left to hang in her closet or stuffed in her
drawer never to be worn. Once even, I pleaded with her to wear a top
that was soft as butter(a requirement) pretty color and fit well. She
proceeded to take a picture of herself in the top, take it off, tell
me she would never wear it because it had PUFFY sleeves! I tried to
explain that they were in fact, not that puffy but her mind was made up.

So, this is it. My girl has style, just not what I would think a soon
to be 8 year old would pick.....but she would.

CHRP WEEKEND

First let me start by letting you know what CHRP stands for. It is pronounced chirp and stands for Christ Renews His Parish. Joe did it last year and really got a lot out of it. Once you do it, they ask that you not share too much with those in the parish so that everyone can come in with an open mind and an open heart to get the most out of it. So, that's what I did. I have been wanting to do it for quite some time but as our priest says, "It's never the right time, so just do it". I am very glad I did.

I did want to share one of the songs that we used over and over again, I guess as our theme song. I wasn't able to post it from YouTube ( I have no idea why, but not pleased about it) so I did put the actual song with video on there. But, the words are so nice I want to share them.

FREE TO BE ME by Francesca Battistelli

At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can't always see

(Chorus)
'Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt

(Chorus)

Any you're free to be you

Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it's easy to believe
Even though

(Chorus)

The letters I received were wonderful and heartfelt, thank you.

The best part is knowing I have a whole new set of friends that I feel like I can call on in times of need. Getting to know women with similar goals and values is nice, and feeling part of a community is all worth it.

LOTS OF PRAYERS

I've been busy these last 12 days. Well, really, for this past year. But it's been fun! We started the year off and running and seem to only be gearing up for more good times. With all good times comes a little work. And I've been working.... At the salon, church, school and home. I joined the booster committee at the high school and are part of a big step. It's been huge for me, challenging me in ways I never thought it would. I committed to a spiritual weekend this coming one. It is something I have thought about doing for a while, it just hasn't been the right time. So, in following one of the commitment I made to myself, I would be open to this opportunity. In doing so, I felt the need to share. It seems my blog has been a little neglected which is sad because I really love it. It has given me opportunities to get to know people I would have never known, and record my life as I see it. I like what I see and only want to share more. Everyday something happens that I could share, but time and responsibilities get the best of me so I don't get to share everything that I want.

Today, I am making time. I am working in my office filing papers thinking about this up coming weekend and I run across two things that stick out. Two prayers. Different, but a blessing of faith. Because I enjoyed them so much, I thought I would share.

The first is from my high school. Because I am an alumni, the entire school spends a few moments starting at 8:20 to pray for me and my family. How's that for a blessing?!

The second is A PARENTS PRAYER by Gary Cleveland Myers

O heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame of ridicule when they displease me. May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power.

Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal...Guide me hour y hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.

Reduce, I pray the meanness in me...When I am out of sorts, help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.

May I ever be mindful that my children are children and I should not expect of them the judgement of adults.

Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and to make decisions.

Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests, and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm.

Make me fair and just and kind. And fit me, O Lord, to be loved and respected and imitated by my children. Amen

Wow! What a prayer. Peace and Love to you all!

GOOD FRIEND

My good friend from grade school invited us to go skating. The kids
have been a couple of times and wanted to go. Since I have not had a
pair of skates on in forever Leah volunteered to help Naomi out.
Thank you Leah, we had a great time!

ME

GOOD DAD

Joe is such a great guy. He hadn't planned on getting out there, but
after I told him of my hesitation, he was more than willing. Of
course, Naomi loved it!

LEVI ICE SKATING

Taken new years eve, we had a blast. I didn't brave the ice this time
but plan on getting the kids lessons. Once they are more secure, I
might give it a whirl. I'm just afraid if I hurt something I won't be
able to work. That's not in the buget at the moment...

LOVE THIS COUPLE

We celebrated New Years with our good friends PJ and Gregg and their
family. This is a picture after they sang happy birthday to Gregg.
Great couple, great kids, I think they have been a real blessing to
our family.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

This is the way we ended 2009. A MUCH better year than 2008. So, with
the trend of things, 2010 should be a blast.

MY LITTLE POSER

All the confidence in the world....

ELIJAH

LEVI & LEVI

NAOMI