Resolutions No. Goals? Yes!

Do resolutions work? I am not so sure. I see people making little promises to themselves, you know, the "I will go to the gym at least three days a week", ones. Just me? This year I am taking resolutions to a whole new level and actually doing goal setting.


What's the difference?

Goals have been proven to separate the men from the boys. Study after study has shown people who set goals are more successful in achieving their dreams. Resolutions are like wishes. They are nice to have a dream about, but goals take action. Goals are specific. Goals work!

This year I made several categories of goals. Home, finance, business, kids, family, and hubby! For each category I have goals for the year and then sub divided for steps I need to take to achieve them. Also I made some easy to do so I can feel that sense of accomplishment!

What are your goals for the year? How will you make it happen? I am so excited about 2011!!! New year and new possibility!!

Five Steps For The Perfect New Years Party!

We had the best New Years Eve! This night is notorious for being anything but fun due to the fact that it is amateur night. People who NEVER go out, are out paying way too much for food and drinks and fighting the crowds. Since having kids, New Years has become way better. It has become:

Lobster New Years!

See? New Years can be fabulous with these 5 easy steps:

1. A gorgeous table to welcome the guests

2. Lobster!

3. Kids occupied with making their own pizzas

4.  Games and movies!

and

5. Great friends to share it with!

That makes for one Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year- Let There Be Peace On Earth

I went to an all girls Catholic camp during the summers.I loved the sisterhood I experienced! Each night we would have campfire and sing songs. This is the song that always made me think. The one that made tears well up in my eyes, although at twelve, I wasn't sure why!

I am wishing each and every one of you, my dear readers, a wonderful 2011. I hope that as this year closes you take a moment to realize how important you are in someones life. How special you are. You are to me!! Thanks for reading, commenting, and all your encouragement! I hope I have made you think, laugh and learn! 

I can't wait to see all the blessings in store for us in 2011!
Love
The Mrs.

Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father
We are family.
Let us walk with each other
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.

(child)
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father
We are family.
Let us walk with each other
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me. 

Christmas Recap!

It was a snow filled good time in Iowa. And I have the pictures to prove it. Landon wasn't so sure about the snow at first. Then his cousins took him sledding (first time!) and he was sold.

Notice orange hat, pink gloves and borrowed snow suit. We were not so prepared!!

 Landon was thrilled that Santa brought him a Leapfrog like he begged for.

And Coco got her first girl dolly! Complete with bathing suit and sunglasses of course. Ready for L.A!

I got lots of Lilly and jewelry and a framed pic of my very preppy Christmas card!


Some gift wrapping highlights...Mom and sister in law ReRe knocked it out of the park!

But best of all was seeing Coco in the Christmas dress my Great Grandmother (Mamaa), had made for me. Doesn't she look sweet!?

A fabulous time!!

Merry Christmas!

These lyrics still get me every time. I hope you are having a wonderful day!

 

O Holy Night

J.S.Dwight & A.C.Adam, 19th Century 

O holy night,
the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of
our dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world
in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared
and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope,
the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks
a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night,
O night divine!
Led by the light of Faith
serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts
by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star
sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men
from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus
in lowly manger,
In all our trials
born to be our Friend!
He knows our need,
To our weakness no stranger;
Behold your King!
Before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King!
before Him bend.
Truly He taught us
to love one another;
His law is love and
His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break
for the slave is our brother
And in His name
all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in
grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us
praise His holy name!
Christ is the Lord,
Oh praise His name forever,
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim
His pow'r and glory
evermore proclaim.

Merry Christmas!!

White Christmas! Best Christmas Movie Ever!!!

White Christmas is my favorite movie ever. Here are just a few of my favorite scenes to convince you!

The Best Things....happen while you're dancing....



Sisters...sisters....never were there two more perfect sisters...



and of course white Christmas...

Wordless Wednesday- The Beverly Hills Hotel At Christmas!

Gingerbread House Party!

When bestie Katie sent out a Gingerbread house making party invitation, I knew it would be fabulous, but she even out did herself! Look at her! Can you say book cover!?

Landon could not wait to dive in and put on the apron that she made for him and the other kids! We used graham crackers, frosting, and candy and made our own little houses.

Okay fine. I helped. A little.

The kids loved it (poor baby Coco was sick!), the menu divine, and the pomegranate champagne drinks were fabulous. We didn't want to leave!!

It was so festive and wonderful....

Even the dog was in the spirit of Christmas! Ho Ho Ho!!

Who Are You Going To Be While You're Waiting

Last Sunday at church, preacher was out of town but Quinton stepped in.
Quinton is not a pastor, but a writer who is a well studied and well versed christian. He discussed how he has been out of a job for more than eight months. That this waiting for work has been hard.

Finally he heard about a writing job, called, and got a meeting. He went in and saw the guy had bibles, Dallas Willard books and other theology books all lined up on his shelves. He handed the meeting over to God, whatever he wanted would be best. The meeting went very well, the best it could have gone. He got the church prayer chain going, everyone praying he would get that job. He did everything right.

Guess what? He didn't get the job.

He wasn't happy to get back to the waiting, in fact things were getting tense as the money was running out. If you think about it, we are usually in a state of waiting. Waiting for a check to come, a decision to be made, a job to happen, waiting in the carpool line, to see if your kids get into school, for the baby to come.... We are waiting all the time. In fact, we spend more time waiting for things to happen then on the actual event. Think about Christmas. We wait all year for that and it's only one day!

If we know we are going to be in a constant state of waiting...time to make a decision (and it is a choice). Who are you going to be while you're waiting?

Quentin then said that the best state of being in this time is to be in "Hopeful Expectation". Knowing that God is working for good on your behalf. Not worrying, but wondering what will happen. This is a tall order for me. I like to be in hopeful expectation, but hate to be disappointed when it doesn't work out. Quentin said that we are all God's promise, but that the job he was interviewing for wasn't his. God had promised that job to someone else, and when his job did come, someone else wouldn't get it either because it was promised to him.

So back to the question then: Who are you going to be while you are waiting on what has been promised to you? Worrying? Or Wondering? In Hopeless expectation? Or Hopeful expectation?

Yes I Have Antlers On My Car

Yes this is me. Get yours here.