In October Grace started piano lessons. I was so excited for her. She has been enjoying it. Her teacher is so surprised how quickly she has picked everything up. After Thanksgiving, she had her first piano recital. She played Yankee Doodle as a solo and then as a duet with her teacher. She also played Old McDonald as a solo and duet. She ended her performance with Jingle Bells.
I'm anxious to watch her grow and develop this talent!
A few days after the New Year, my friend Kristin sent me an email. I don't check email too often, but I was glad that I chose to listen to my urge. She had shared with me an article written by Christine Kane. Who? I had never heard of this woman either, but the title caught my curiosity, so I kept reading.
The article was titled, How to Make 2011 Your Best Year Yet. I found it on her blog, it is called, Resolution Revolution. She originally posted it in 2007. The article is a tweek of the rituals of making New Year's resolutions. It really resonated with me!
The idea is to pick a word for the year, instead of making goals. Goals are good, but the point she was trying to make is they are never specific enough. If you chose one word that envelops all that you are trying to accomplish, and focus on it, the whole process becomes very customized to your needs. Read the article, I linked it. You have to read to it understand. My explanation will not do it justice.
The word I chose this year is, CREATOR.
I was thinking of what I would like to accomplish this year. What should be #1 on my list for ME? My eyes have been opened to the fact that for the last year and a half I have been merely surviving. My life has really been all about reacting to things and situations that have arisen. I have played a very minimal part in creating it. How sad that truth was when I embraced it. I firmly believe life is to be created, not occupied.
So how do I change that? I'm not totally sure, but I'm beginning to see through the fog. I have started to identify things that need my attention. I have chosen to create rather than react. I remind myself, " I'm in control!"
Something I have instigated is reading from the scriptures. We have always followed along in the an illustrated version, but even that was starting to dwindle. I would always make excuses as to why I can't instigate family scripture study. It's the man's job was my take, and since Dustin is not here we cannot have it. I don't know where this thinking came from, but it was there. I changed it! Though Dustin is not there to read with us, we have been having a short 10 minute family reading time. We each read 2 vs and at the end I explain. It has been working well and the kids have enjoyed it!
Clutter is building in our home. I started to purge those things that were of no worth (Dustin convinced me to hold off for a yard sale. We have a deal that if that doesn't happen by March, I can chuck everything). It is nicely organized junk now - progress sometimes happens in little steps- it's a start!
I Look forward to continuing this journey. I want to be the creator of my life. I realize things come up that i have no control over, but I do not have to chose to react. I will chose to create the best possible outcome. Wish me luck.
PS I am working on a suggested journal activity that is part of this, if you would like that let me know. I can email it to you.
Kate bore her 1st testimony on Sunday. I wish I had recorded when all my children took their first steps to the pulpit to share with about 100 people what they feel in their hearts about their Savior and the gospel(I still have time with Grace. She suffers from anxiety, so it will be a while).
Kate went up and grabbed the mic to bring it to her level. She said (paraphrasing), "I'd like to bear my testimony. I know this church is true. I love my family. I know Pres. Monson is a true prophet. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." That was it, short and sweet. Her testimony.
It is a neat thing to see your children share what they have learned. The amazing thing to me is they all have their own personal time-table. I know my boys were around the same age, but we have never asked any of them to share, they choose to when they are good and ready. I think that's the way it should be.
We had a very small Christmas this year. Sometimes those are the best, I think. Not too much "stuff." By eliminating "the stuff" you are able to focus on its real meaning.
Kate asked me, "Mom, why do we celebrate Christmas?" I was a little shocked because I thought we have pounded into their little brains why. I reminded her it was to celebrate Jesus' birth.
She looked right at me and said, "No, Mom. Jesus' birth is in April, so why are we doing it in December?" She had a good point. So we had to explain how come the world chose to celebrate it in December. Now I think she's more confused than she was before!!! Poor thing.
Thought I'd share what the kids got for Jesus' un-birthday celebration and a few pictures.
Every Christmas Eve we open pajamas. We alternate every other year giving either books or slippers. this year it was slippers. We also have our traditional gifts for Jesus that we put under the tree. We then watch Joy to the World.
Santa did find our house. The boys got shotguns. They are excited to go trap shooting with their dad. I think we should make it a family event, I love it too.
All the girls wanted were pillow pets. It was #1 on their list. They got them. Santa decided to throw in some Zuh-Zuh Pets stuff for Grace, a "laptop" for Kate, and a radio/cd player for Becca. they were very happy!
Ryan also got his beloved Axis vs. Allies game and a huge Nerf gun!! 
Aaron got a new football with a pump and a kicker's thing, and the same Nerf gun Ryan got. they are having some great battles!
Grace had a Zhu-Zhu and Barbie Christmas. She got more pets and and houses. She finally got a new Belle doll. This one came with a horse. She loved it.
Kate got a bean bag chair. Next to best buy after the pillow pet! She also received a new Club Penguin penguin and a Hiccup sword! Yes, my girl asked for a sword!! She loved that too!
Becca is in love with the mini My Little Ponies. She got a cute little Ferris wheel. She also got new furniture for her doll house and a Strawberry Shortcake RC car. 
Dustin and I got a cruise. That cruise will take the place of every gift for a while!! I got a new crock pot. And Dustin got new pillows!! Doesn't sound exciting, but we were both quite happy. We also got a Flip camcorder from his parents and a very cool emergency radio from my mom.
I am excited for the new year. I can;t believe it is 2011!! I made the comment that we should be like the Jetsons by now! This time just always seemed so far away while growing up, but here it is. I look forward to the new adventures it will bring. I wish everyone a prosperous year as well!
