November Recap

I can't believe that Christmas is in 25 days. I thought I'd recap our highlights from November:

- We said "Goodbye" to our green carpet in the living room and stairs and "Hello" to laminate. It is a terrific match to the laminate already in the house. I think I figured out why Steve was so up on the idea - he now has less vacuuming to do and I have more swiffering. No problem though as the laminate is so much nicer looking.
- Lindsay participated in the Primary Program at church and spent most of the time crying. Hopefully next year will be a little better for her. She sure was cute sitting up on the stand! I spent the whole time winking and smiling at her.
- Ry went camping with Troop 86 and spent some time at Calico Ghost Town. He got to participate in archery for the first time and loved it!
- Grandma Smith turned 94 on the 15th.
- Participated in Teacher Conferences with Lindsay's teacher and all of Ryans. Lindsay is doing terrific and Ryan got 5 A's and 1 B in his Honor's classes. I am not sure how he accomplished that and we are so proud of him!
- We enjoyed Thanksgiving Dinner at Cousin Diane's house with both sets of our parents and Nonnie.
- Steve and Ry continued their tradition of early morning shopping on Black Friday. Steve says it was a success so we will see.

Balance In Life

In two days (very uncharacteristic of me) I read an awesome book by James Patterson called "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas". Wanted to share the following from the book which I have found to be an echoing theme of mine this whole year:

Life is a game in which you juggle five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. You keep all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls - family, health, friends, integrity - are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered. Once you truly understand the lesson of the five balls, you will have the beginnings of balance in your life.

2009 has truly been a year for which I have become even more appreciative of my family, friends, health, and integrity. Each year brings so much learning for me and I am appreciative of this.

Good Memories

Good memories are like charms. Each is special. You collect them, one by one, until one day you look back and discover they make a long colorful bracelet.

October recap

Wow, where did October go? It certainly flew by!! I thought I'd recap the key events from the month:

- Steve and Ry attended a Star Wars Musical on the 1st at the Honda Center
- Ry's dodgeball team, coached by Steve, went 7-1 and won first place in the league
- We attended Ry's Court of Honor in Scouts where he was advanced to 1st Class
- Steve and I celebrated our 18th anniversary on the 12th - here's to many more Honey!
- We said goodbye to our tile in the kitchen and master bathroom (no tears at all) and welcomed in granite countertops and a newly decorative tiled shower and bath tub (happy, happy)
- Steve and I were on vacation the last week of October and enjoyed some time together at Disneyland and getting some stuff completed around the house
- Enjoyed Halloween 2009 - attended a big Halloween Party at Church on the 24th, went to Lindsay's school parade and went to a fantastic neighborhood party on Halloween - Lindsay was the cutest Snow White and Ry was a baseball player and lion