Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

Remember that Girl Scout Song, "Make New Friends"  I was randomly thinking about that song the other day when I was thinking about how great it has been in the past couple of weeks to have the opportunity to have several wonderful conversations with different friends of mine, whether it was over the phone, at dinner or coffee.  All of these fabulous friends are people that I haven't visited with in some time and certainly have missed seeing and talking to in depth on a regular basis, but am still so thankful to have in my life.

I am constantly amazed at how God puts certain people in our lives when we need it. Then to look at how some people stay in the picture for a while, while some don't and how others continue to travel with us on the journey of life.  I do realize just how lucky I am to have so many brillant, talented, insightful, giving and caring friends and mentors.  All who are people who let me be myself, speak my mind and do not judge me. Thank you so much for enriching my life and helping me to the best friend/mother/wife/mother/daughter/sister/creative caring loving person I can be.

Adventures to Sesame Street Live ... 1.2.3. Imagine!

One really cool thing about being a parent is getting to do some of the things you liked to do as a kid... again! My parents and sisters and their kids have all been to the Sesame Street Live show the past few years.. but now that Drew is old enough, we were included too.

This year we even got to meet Elmo and Abbiecaddaby!  Drew was not quite sure what to think because he had just woken up from a nap he took in the car because he refused to take one earlier in the day when he should have.

Needless to say, the show was cute and he now loves Sesame Street on tv more than he did before.   It's a safe bet to say that we'll go next year when the show comes to town.

FIVE GOALS for 2010.

If there is one thing I love about the start of a new year, it's the idea to start new with a fresh set of goals.  I like to set five goals for a six month period and then see how close I can come to completing them.  The past few years I would say I have about a 50% success rate, but the truth is some of those I have actually completed I may not have if I hadn't agreed to attempt them! So while my husband sometimes accuses me of 'overscheduling', it's because I just like to do things + see people and then try to do more that I can on top of that.

My FIVE GOALS from January to June 2010 -

1. Read at least a book per month.
2. Keep working out.. try to swim one day per week.
3. Write. Draw. Create. -- Continue to practice creativity in some way each week.
4. Get caught up on 2009's scrapbook + journal more in my 2010 scrapbook.
5. Do less -- try to not to overschedule!  (** This is the hardest one for me!! ** )

What are your newest 5 goals or things you want to do or learn this year?You will be surprised at your ability to do and accomplish things you really would not have considered previously. Lastly, post your list somewhere that you can see it and review every couple days. If you want to be more accountable - share it with others and work together!

It was a Crafty Christmas.

This year I had decided well in advance that I wanted to try to make something for our neices and nephews for Christmas instead of buying them books like we normally do.   For the older kids I made either crayon or colored pencil roll ups and for the younger baby boys I made these fabric block pillows. I think they were all a hit, as the kids started coloring right away! It felt really nice to give a personalized gift for Christmas that encourages creativity.  Now on to convincing them to each draw a Valentine's Day pictures for my next project....

Cheers to 2010.

I had every intention of updating while I had the time off during Christmas + New Year and ended up going the complete opposite direction of the computer. I checked email and updated Twitter, but that was about it!

This was one of my more favorite recent Christmas holidays for many reasons. I had the better part of two weeks off work to play, create, sleep, workout, cook and do whatever we please. This year seemed to have less of an emphasis on stuff and more on being together. I loved it!

The Christmas schedule for the most part was pretty laid back and that made everything so much nicer. We celebrated with my side of the family the weekend prior to Christmas, then with Grammy on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day at Dad and Barb's house.  With squeezing a midnight Mass in between the two!

The Sunday before we had Giving Tree deliveries – which always marks the start of my Christmas holiday when that project is over!

Drew finally somewhat understands how to open gifts and just about every package he opened – he thought was fabulous.  I rediscovered how much I love cooking and baking and made a bunch of yummy things to eat + share with others.

We had a wonderful little New Year’s dinner party with some friends and it was a fun quiet way to ring in the New Year. Wishing you and your family a healthy, prosperous, and joyous 2010.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year....

The days are flying by and the evenings are jam packed. Christmas is coming and I feel like my to do list is getting longer by the day -- not shorter!  Lots more to blog.. but for now a Christmas greeting to share.

Wrapping up November...with { a few good things }

It's hard for me to believe that today is the last day of November already! But { a few good things } to report following the Turkey Day holiday weekend:

{ 1 }  I made my first batch of homemade hot cocoa for the first time with this recipe from Alton Brown.

{ 2 } The new Carondolet Rec Plex has finally opened and I cannot get enough of it. Drew was so overwhelmed when we took him to the pool.. it was simply adorable.

{ 3 } The St. Vincent de Paul Giving Tree project is underway at church.  We have more families than we have had in years past and we are doing our best to make this Christmas a little brighter for these families in need. A few people requested larger items (bed, dresser, baby items..etc) and we are going to see what we can get donated off of Craigslist to help them out. We'll see if it works!

{ 4 } Drew got a hair cut (a la Mommy).  It's not perfect -- but it was much needed.

{ 5 } Our Christmas tree is up -- but without ornaments so far. We are not sure how it's all going to work out ... but we will decorate it somehow.  Like everything else in the house when there is a one year old running all over the place, it's a learning lesson.

{ 6 } My sewing machine is fixed! Which means I can get to work on the Christmas gifts I plan to sew for my neices and nephews... more on that later.

{ 7 } I've been contemplating doing a "December Daily" scrapbook, but I am not sure if I am willing to commit or not yet.  December Daily is a way to celebrate the traditions and everyday blessings during the month of December. Some of the albums I have seen on a couple blogs are pretty elaborate -- if I do decide to do one -- I might just keep it simple and try to tell a different story of our Christmas holiday one at a time. Just words and photos.

{ 8 } I forgot how much I like watching 60 Minutes. Two really interesting stories this week to share: Congo's Gold and Great Explorer: Robert Ballard.