A Good Time was had by ALL!!

This past Saturday (29th) was Guthri's 9th birthday. :( She is growing so fast! She is a completely different girl today than she was just two short years ago. Still takes my breath away for her to approach situations with confidence and determination.

For her birthday party she wanted something different. So, through the suggestion of a friend, we planned a surprise "Come as You Are" party! Too fun! I contacted all the parents to let them know what was headed their way. On Saturday morning I woke up Guthri and two friends she had spend the night at 6:30 a.m. They were not thrilled since they didn't go to bed until 1:30 a.m. We loaded up and made our first stop around 7. I will have to say that Ansley was the best sport of the day. She woke up laughing and laughed all morning. We made six more stops and finally made our way to the bakery. Spent about an hour doing all the birthday festivities (doughnut cake included) and those silly girls wanted to head out to WalMart! We had a blast. They found the hula-hoops so we had a hula-hoop performance right there in the isle. They were so funny. Kaleigh was the champ. 3 hoops at a time and almost had 4 going!!! Woo Hoo!

The party was simple, exciting and just fun. Loved spending time with my daughter and her friends in their "truest" form. It was just a fun morning!!

Well....He Won!

At Garrett's high school they have a PRIDE program once a six weeks. Those students with good behavior, good attendance, no tardies, etc...may have an opportunity to participate in a game with the chance to win some pretty cool prizes. Garrett was asked to "play" yesterday at the 3rd six weeks program. He got to choose a partner to help and he chose wisely!!! The game was to put on three different pairs of sweats and then go to each end of the basketball court and make a lay-up. Now, Garrett is not an athlete in any sense of the word so he chose Jacob Darter (one of the all-time basketball stars...hee, hee, hee...smart kid!). The senior girls team actually beat Jacob but they didn't understand the rules. The basketball player HAD to put their arms into the arms of the sweats but they only put the top around the neck. :( Poor girls BUT lucky Garrett :). I do believe he owes Jacob at least a coke!! Maybe I'll get him a Sonic card or something. See Garrett's prize... a Sony stereo! Have to say that thing has played non-stop since he got home. It has a dock for his iPod so makes it just that much better. Does my heart good for him to "win"!

Sags & Bags

Well, I have really worked at this weight thing but fell of the wagon during Christmas. Set me back several pounds but I hit it hard again and I am back on track. BUT.....with the weight loss comes the saggy skin...baggy eyes...droopy arms! OH IT IS JUST NOT NICE! Seriously under my chin looks like a deflated balloon! I am trying to exercise a little so maybe that will help. If not....anyone know a good plastic surgeon? LOL

Good Bye 2010

Everyone makes New Year's Resolutions and in the past I will have to admit I did to. I wrote them down, posted them on the frig, put them in my checkbook, put them on my computer....tried it all and never seemed to stick with them. So for several years now I just didn't do it at all. Didn't want to fail at one more thing. This year I am looking at it a little differently. Instead of making resolutions I decided to get rid of some things from 2010. I like that idea. I am a little OCD with clutter and throw everything away so this is right up my alley!

1) WORRY: Quit worrying about everything. I question everything I do. How do others perceive it? Will I succeed? Can I financially afford it? You name it, I can worry about it!

2) OBLIGATIONS: As a family we have decided to let go of some obligations. Not to each other but to organizations, activities. Let someone else do it for a while so we can focus more on our family, our well being, our souls. It's amazing how obligations can engulf your life and completely destroy what you have built. It has been hard for us to make the decisions we have but completely necessary for our family.

3) TIME: Not get rid of it but find it. My kids are growing so quickly and I am missing so much. I have allowed my time to be stolen by other obligations and have left my own family to raise themselves.

4) OPINIONS: Let my heart guide me and not my head. This is a hard one for me but opinions are now in the garbage!

Not only am I throwing things out the window but I am taking some time to look over this past year and see the successes.

1) My marriage is stronger than it has ever been. I have a spectacular husband that continues to work on our relationship and cherishes the life we have built.

2) Garrett is maturing into such a great young man. He has always been a blessing with a challenge. It seems maturity is kicking in and a tad of responsibility is poking its head through the teenage fog! I know he still makes mistakes and will continue to do so but all in all he is a good kid and knows right from wrong and wants to do the right thing. I am a proud mom!

3) Guthri....well what can I say about Guthri? WOW! She is nothing what we thought she would be like 3 and 4 years ago. To see the progress she has made in self-esteem, school, personality there are just no words to describe her. She has a tender heart like no other, yet the fight of a mad bull. That is exactly why she will be just fine in this world!

4) Mine and Lonnie's parents are aging and we are blessed there have not been any major health issues for any of them. They continue to provide us with examples of how we should live. Completely blessed to still have them for us and our kids.

Well, I hope your 2011 will be all you expect. If not tweak it a little and make it what you want!