Trumped

This week, we got ourselves a new President of the United States. And, because of this great country, which affords me the right to free speech, I have a few things I want to say. 

1) I am proud to be an American. I'm so grateful for the political process and for the ability for each of us to make our opinions known. And, you know what? The country spoke and decided who the new president is. So, I don't understand why people are protesting. I have more to say, but why?! I just don't like it. Do people have nothing more to do then walk the streets yelling about stuff?

2) I'm proud to be a Mormon. The Mormon Tabernacle choir represented at the inauguration! Compared to some of the other performances, we blew them away! Great job!

3) I'm proud to be a mother! As I was watching the inauguration, Robson came into the room. I told him that we have a new president. He said "yeah?" I said, "we have a new President of the United States." And he said, "ok". Then I asked him if he knows who the new president is. He responded, "Donald Trump". 

My 5 year old son knows who the new president is, why doesn't half of the country know?!

Sliding through life

Ha! I wish. 

However, today I did slide down the mountain on my skis. It's been about 13 or 14 years since I skied last. 😁

I, of course, had that apprehension about going, but we had a great time! Today was Robson's first day of skiing!!! What a champ. He did so well for his first day. His teacher said he had a "great attitude!" And told me he had "confidence". What a compliment! 

I think that was the best part of my day. Everything was great (minus that dumb fall), but that one word "confidence" made my day! I instantly hoped that I had played a part in building up his confidence. And I am so proud that he tried something new and did it with confidence! 

It's funny, because I think we all hope and pray that our children will grow up to be better than us. But, then when they actually do? ... my heart is just so full! And Zaida is in her second season of skiing and she is amazing! My legs were sore after a half day of skiing, but Zaida was so energized and excited to go out skiing with the big kids (aka Dad, cousin Chandler, Uncle John and Aunt Shay). She just hopped on the ski lift with no reservations. Ready to go!!

I learn so much from these kids. I wish I could walk into a new experience with that kind of confidence & no reservations - just anxious to get going! Excited and sliding through life, not worrying about the potential falls. 

Next run, let's all confidently, excitedly hop on that lift & enjoy the ride!

I am a brick

Even a brick wants to be something.

I am a brick! Of course, I am something. But, I want to be something more. 

This year is a building year for me. 

New Years resolutions have always been a little funny to me. I've never really set goals for myself. Of course, I rededicate myself to those things I'd like to work on at each new year. But, I've never set official goals (with deadlines) for myself. This year I am not only a brick. I am also going to be a bricklayer. 😊

My stake has set a yearly goal, with a number of sub-goals that help achieve the main goal. So, my sweet little family and I talked about the stake challenge and went through each of the bullet points. We discussed what we can do as a family and we came up with two goals, deadlines & rewards attached. I'm surprised at how happy and excited the kids are about these goals. We printed out charts to track our progress. And they are excited to color them in with each step of our progress. 

Not only do we have family goals this year, but I made individual goals for myself this year too. What?!? I know, right?

I am breaking out of my pattern & creating new ones. Funny thing is, I have created a "daily schedule" that I'd like to be able to stick with. It won't always happen, of course. But, it's a guideline for me. 

But, what I am most excited about is I am going to try new things this year. I plan on doing something new once a month for the year. Some might be new hobbies, but it might just be something simple that I've never had the nerve to do before. Whichever it is, I am excited to grow and hopefully surprise myself just a little. Next year, I'm hoping this brick will be a little more accomplished. 

Advent-ure continued

Advent Day 3 - we had a super busy Christmasy Day today. First we had our wards Christmas Breakfast, where a special visitor came. Robson is adorable - he gets "star struck" or shy because when Santa asks what he would like for Christmas Robson will freeze up. Then when he walks away he gets so sad and disappointed. Breaks my heart. Good thing we can send a letter to Santa. 

Then in the afternoon Zaida and I went to a Christmas concert at the high school. It was really a great concert. Zaida got a good snooze during it - she took the directors advise to heart ("sit back & relax")!

Robson had a soccer game where he "almost got a goal". 

And, to finish off our day, we got to do dinner and some shopping with Aunt Angie!

Christmas Advent-ure 2016

So, this year we actually started our Adventure a bit early. We went to Festival of Trees on the 30th - shhhhh. I'll probably post pics on a day when I have burned out. 😂

Then the first day of December, as always, we start off our advent with a German dinner. Which, of course, I forgot to take pics of. Boo. 

But, Day 2 - I'm on it! We went to Johnny Rockets, did a little shopping & hit up the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Our version of two turtle doves (chocolate turtles) 😊

Reunions

Tomorrow is my 20th year high school reunion. I'm excited to see some old buddies. I'm nervous that I forgot a lot of people. I'm dreading having to see/talk to some people who made high school & college life difficult for me. I'm worried that I will say/do something embarrassing. 

Why is high school so debilitating? Doesn't even seem to matter that I am 20 years removed. This still stressed me out!

And since I am a girl, almost all day I have tried to decide what to wear ... GASP! What outfit will give the impression that I want to leave people with. And then I think - lllllaaaaammmmmeee! Why am I worried about this?!?

Ok, I had friends and enemies alike call me by one word thinking that should explain everything about me. Cheerleader. Yes, I was a cheerleader. Because of that, lots of people knew me. But, I also worked very hard to be friendly to everyone. I had a lot of acquaintances from all different groups of people. East side. West side. Rich. Poor. Punks. Preppies. Older. Younger. I also worked really hard to have good grades. And to set myself up for future success. Could I have been better? Sure. Couldn't we all! But, I feel like I did "enough." 😉

I think in my mind, people must assume that high school was easy for me and that I lived a charmed life. As such, I think people possibly judged me too harshly at times.

So, now I am 37, going back to be with people who for the most part I haven't seen in decades. What story do I want them to take away from their interactions with me? Most of all, I want people to know that I am a sincere, kind person who is secure and pleased with her life. I have a wonderful family - the best! I have  a beautiful, comfortable home. My marriage is solid. I am educated, but have chosen to stay home with my children. I have been extremely fortunate. It didn't come without trials, struggles & hardships. But, I am super happy with where I am in this stage of my life. And, looking forward to what's going to happen this next 20 years. 

So, tomorrow I really want to be reunited with my self-confidence. I also pray I can be attentive to people and leave them feeling better & happier than when they came to me. I hope I can leave an impression of the true me. The one that doesn't have a label. 

But, really ... What necklace goes with that???

Woah, that's catchy!

That's what Robson said when we read this phrase painted in Zaidas Elementary school ... "To lead people, walk beside them." --- Lao-Tsu