Goodbye and Good Riddance!

One of my facebook friends wrote on his wall that he "was ready for a new year" and "2008 can suck it!". I'm going to have to say, I agree! As I look back and reflect on the past year it seems to be one of heartache, stress, and uncertainty. I wish I was speaking about myself only. Unfortunately, many of my friends and family have had a trying year as well. From health to financial to family crisis and everything inbetween, most of my loved ones were tested with trials and adversity unlike ever before. 2008 has definately been one of the most trying years of MY life but I've been blessed to learn so many lessons for which I will always be grateful. I've learned that when times get tough, families have an amazing ability to pull together and support each other. I just don't know what I would do without my family. I've learned that it's ok to need family and friends and help when you just can't do it yourself! This is a tough lesson for most people and incredibly humbling when you have to learn it! It's hard to accept that you need help but a wonderful blessing when you do. I've learned about service and sacrifice not by being on the giving side, but by receiving. I've learned that I have more friends than I thought! I've learned that the Lord puts people in our lives to do His work, to be a blessing and an answer to prayers. I've learned alot by watching my children adapt to whatever life throws our way. I fight change with every fiber of my being. They accept it and make the best of it! I've witnessed pure love and pure friendship. I've had prayers answered and witnessed miracles. So although I am eager to see 2008 come to an end, I am grateful for all I have learned!

To everyone who had a great 2008 - I hope it continues for you and that 2009 is even better! For all of you who are counting down, anxiously waiting for the clock to strike midnight and see 2008 come to an end - I hope 2009 is SO much better!

I wish you all hope, peace, prosperity, good health, love, friendship and all the best this world can offer! Happy New Year!

Christmas 2008

Parker's Letter to Santa

Parker wrote a letter to Santa at school today and I can't scan it so I'm just going to type it exactly like he wrote it...

Dear Santa,

I want most for Christmas is happy for my family because they are rily sad. Thay dont wot as to mouv away from are family. They wot as to sta hir.

Love,
Parker

The Things We Can Learn From Children

Yesterday I did some shopping with my sister and Anna REALLY wanted to help wrap. Kristi suggested I take her and Parker to the dollar store to let them pick out presents for each other that they could come home and wrap. Anna was SO eager to get to the store and the whole way there asked me "are we close?" So, after about the 10th time of her asking me I said "Wow, Anna, you're sure full of the Christmas spirit!" and she replied "that's because I love Jesus." She happened to be wearing a shirt that said I LOVE SANTA and so she followed up with "I wish my shirt said I love Jesus." Oh how happy that made my heart to hear my little five year put Jesus above Santa. I'm glad that even at her young age, she knows and understands the importance of this season! What a great example she is!

You're Crashing But You're No Wave

Here's What You Do...

1. Put your iPod on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got the memo from.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?Jasey Rae - All Time Low
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? First Date - Blink 182
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Better Days - Goo Goo Dolls
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Stranger by the Day - Shades Apart
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? We Close Our Eyes - Oingo Boingo
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Given the Chance - Starting Line
WHAT IS 2+2? Everything's Magic - Angels and Airwaves
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? What I've Done - Until June
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Everybody's Changing - Keane
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? I've got all this Ringing in my Ears and none on my Fingers - Fall Out Boy
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? - The Carpal Tunnel of Love - Fall Out Boy
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Why Can't I - Liz Phair
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Cat and Mouse - the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Viva La Vida - Coldplay
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Only You - Yaz
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? All the Small Things - Blink 182
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Dirty Little Secret - The All American Rejects
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Pictures of You - the Cure
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? Nine in the Afternoon - Panic at the Disco
HOW WILL YOU DIE? Hello - Hawk Nelson
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? When Love and Hate Collide - Def Leppard
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Waiting - the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? All Together now - the Farm
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED? Fool for Love - Stefy
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? Find Your Way Back Home - Dishwalla
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? Make You Smile - +44
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? Perfect - Simple Plan
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? I'm Not OK (I Promise) - My Chemical
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? You're Crashing But You're No Wave - Fall Out Boy