Friday, December 31, 2010

End of the Year Meme...2010

I got this End of the Year meme from Carrie at Thoughts, Ponderings and Musings!

Join in if you want to!  this is my third year to do it!  I know leaving my previous answers makes for a long post but I wanted to see where I was coming from!


1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

in 2008...ate sushi
In 2009...did a Thanksgiving dinner completely by myself! Turkey and all! oh and I shot a gun!
In 2010...I went for one hour on the elliptical.  It is a little over 4 miles! 


2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

In 2008...No way, I don't think I kept any of them!!!
In 2009... I will talk more on this later but no not for the most part and Yes I will make more for 2010!
In 2010...um I will go with a no.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

in 2008..not extremely close.
In 2009? Um Yes Sarah Jean Frederick's!!!
In 2010...nope



4. Did anyone close to you die?

in 2008...no
In 2009... um no, not really, really close to me.
In 2010...nope


5. What countries did you visit?

in 2008...Um does the USA count?
in 2009... still stuck to the USA
in 2010... ditto


6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

in 2008...better finances and less weight! I guess will power!
In 2009...more wisdom in presidential elections! More wisdom in politics, more money, more weight loss
in 2010...this year I will say fear (respect of God) because that is the beginning of wisdom and maybe it will get me somewhere!


7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

in 2008... I cant remember so I guess they weren't etched on my memory!
In 2009... the inauguration... I knew the world as I knew it would start to change and it has!
In 2010.. health care vote was a big one, the mid elections were a big one but I really, really liked the moment I saw the Sears tower in Chicago!


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

in 2008...I am not trying to be negative but i don't feel I accomplished much this year.
in 2009... hmmmm we moved into our rent house and we have managed very well financially... I mean we don't have a lot of savings but we are paying cash and doing what we need to! I also want to re mention Thanksgiving here! I mean to me a turkey was a big deal! But that is just me!
in 2010... again a cash year, there was 40 pounds of weight loss, and I did some growing up in some areas


9. What was your biggest failure?

in 2008....weight loss and not keeping my temper in check
In 2009... I will say the same answer which is not something I am proud of exactly!
In 2010...probably I will re say.. not keeping my SELF in check, more weight loss and finances (not getting the van)


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

in 2008...no we are all healthy!
in 2009... no healthy, all of us! We are truly blessed in that area!
in 2010... we have actually ALL been sicker this year than any other.. some of that is our own fault, some is just life


11. What was the best thing you bought?

in 2008...my camera, which I have since LOST!
in 2009... best thing I bought???? seriously kind of silly and I am sure I loved lots of things I bought but I love the mixing bowl set I got courtesy of Vickie, she blessed me with a gift of cash just for being little ole me and I bought mixing bowls. Yes sounds weird but I needed some! I also bought a whisk, a set of cooking pans, a book and some Christmas decor that I wanted but would not spend money on!
in 2010...a YMCA membership?  All about Spelling curriculum.  a tea set for a friend


12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

in 2008...Honestly probably my husbands, we have on and off but he was more on this year I think!
in 2009... I might say Hubbies again, we made some big decisions this year and he has been more on top of things than ever... not perfect but there is definite improvement!
in 2010... Hubbie I'm sorry to say NOT topping the list but he is on it.  Emily has made some big improvements over the last few weeks (although we have a ways to go) , I think I will also say that Matt has grown in some areas too.  Kate is definitely maturing also.


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

in 2008...Honestly keeping it real here probably mine?
in 2009... um mine but more so I would say CONGRESS!
in 2010... in keeping with last years post....the American people (we should have TAKEN all of congress and the fact that Sheila Jackson Lee is still in office astounds ME!   My personal behavior has appalled me a bit this year and  as for as depressed me... well there are people.)


14. Where did most of your money go?

in 2008...to a big fat nothing store- probably Walmart
in 2009... I am proud to say I have hardly stepped foot in a Walmart.. there is not one close so we hardly ever go. (I don't have any thing against Walmart BTW!) I think most of my money this year went to rent and all that MISC!
in 2010... where did my money go this year?  I DO NOT KNOW?  Discover Gymnastics and the Home school store is on that list!  CHURCH!  (but that is a good thing), health insurance (which keeps going up) and Kroger's!  YEP that is where it all went!  Oh wait and my gas tank!  :)


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

in 2008....our Branson Vacation and our Garner trip basically any travel! Oh and seeing Amy Grant in concert!
in 2009....I guess Brian and Allison's wedding! That was a big one! Kristal got to come down so that was awesome and we got into a house in the Heights, not exactly Garden Oaks but I am happy!
in 2010... UM CHICAGO honestly and getting to see the fam (Kristal and Sarah Jean Girl! more than once!)  and changes in our family scheduling!


16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
in 2008....wow, I dunno know.
in 2009...still don't know.. I mean I love music but I don't always relate it to an event but I guess I will choose the Over the Rainbow that was played at Brian and Allison's wedding!
In 2010... Matthew West   THE MOTIONS


17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) poorer or richer?

in 2008
(a) Happier!
(b) fatter
(c) Poorer

in 2009...
(a) happier
(b) a little fatter but slimming down too!
(c) I am not poorer... I am staying in one place!

In 2010..
(a) happier
(b) fatter but slimming down again (WOW-- so tired of this conversation)
(c) technically not poorer but not really richer???  I guess even.


18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

In 2008 -losing weight, exercising
in 2009... again losing weight, exercising, school with the kids!!!!!!! character training, political awareness...
in 2010... ditto to 2009, add serving others and giving grace.


19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

In 2008...have less fear and anxiety
in 2009... same although I maintain I am doing better! spent money on frivolous things instead of applying it to more important thing!
in 2010... gosh sadly ditto 2009 (WHY WONT I LEARN), but also add unimportant stuff.


20. How did you spend Christmas?

In 2008...At home with the kids!
in 2009... at home with the kids, then lunch at Moms house, we spent Christmas Eve in Vickie's new house and it was wonderful!
in 2010... Christmas Eve here, Christmas Day at moms.. we did attend a Candlelight service at our church which was amazing!



21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

In 2008...I was already in love!
in 2009...Yes, I fell in love with the IPHONE.. want to get one!
in 2010.... with the "GAND" kids and with HULU.  Sorry Sarah but they share the SAME line!  :)


22. What was your favorite TV program?

in 2008....Greys Anatomy or Men in Trees
in 2009...hmmm Glen Beck or Eureka!
in 2010... I still watch a number of shows on HULU but I don't think any of them are my favorite anymore! 



23. deleted question
24. What was the best book you read?

in 2008...Tales of Despereaux
in 2009...the Mothers book by Mrs. child (1831) and the kids and I loved Old Yeller and Pilgrims Progress! I also started reading Debbie Macomber and I really like her.
in 2010... Laura Bush memoirs was good, I also read the last Clive Cussler book which was good.  I read a book on anger for Matt and myself which was good.  I actually don't REMEMBER reading much, maybe I didn't?


25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

in 2008...Um an IPOD??
in 2009...Michael Buble????
in 2010...contemporary Christian music.. I mean I have always liked it but I think it went down hill for awhile and I was drawn to a different style but I am really liking praise music right now and a lot of the artists. 


26. What did you want and get?

in 2008.....a camera and wireless printer (got it, till I lost the camera!)
in 2009... a house near Garden Oaks and Dave's work! got it!!!!
in 2010... new bed and room stuff for the kids--- we got a lot of it, still a work in progress but we did start!


27. What did you want and not get?

in 2008....a few less pounds
in 2009.. yes a few less pounds and an emergency fund Dave Ramsey style! oh and a new, new camera!
in 2010... I will go with newer vehicle.  I mean we got a vehicle new to us ( KISSES) but we were planning on a newer used vehicle and we never got it together.  We are going to do better!



28. What was your favorite film of this year?

in 2008...I cant really think of my favorite but I guess I will pick Prince Caspian!
in 2009... easy STAR TREK! I love this movie!
in 2010... How to Train Your Dragon!


29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

in 2008...Um my birthday was spent in a hotel room with NO electricity so not so much fun! I turned 31
in 2009.. well I turned 32 and I did have electricity so that is better! I had dinner with friends, it was great!
in 2010... I turned 33 and I got to go out and craft with friends and family, we also had dinner.  It was a great day! 


30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

in 2008....losing some weight and have a significant amount in savings, after having paid off most of our debt!
in 2009...I will re say all the stuff from my 2008 answer...
in 2010... darn the ditto!  Almost makes me wish I couldn't see the failure from the other years too cuz it is the same old story!  Gotta do better!



31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

in 2008....jeans and polo
in 2009.. well if you know me at all jeans and a polo! I have branched out this winter, I bought a beautiful ice blue sweater! Hey that's big! I am a black and brown kind of gal!
in 2010... BTW, haven't worn the beautiful ice blue sweater ONCE so far this year!  I am still doing jeans and a polo but do try to look nice too!  I wore it on Christmas just say I had worn it!



32. What kept you sane?

in 2008....diet coke and blogging
in 2009... um lets say GOD who I believe invented Diet coke! and maybe just plain being to busy to go insane???? I do best when busy!
in 2010... was I sane?  no really, God, my husband, good friends who tell me the truth, blogging and my new church!



33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

in 2008....Easy, Sarah Palin
in 2009...I was glad to see more of Sarah Palin and I was glad to see Whitney Houston back on tour and looking beautiful! I guess though as far as public figures pretty much the entire cast (can you use the word cast?) of the Fox News Network!
in 2010...I don't think I paid close attention?  I was glad to see Amy Grant with her new song out, which is awesome.  I think Michele Duggar was amazing through her whole ordeal.  I still respect Fox News Network, but no favorites this year!



34. What political issue stirred you the most?

in 2008...The election.
in 2009.. too many to mention without using up all of cyber space but seriously we are in trouble here people! Please step and and get active... we have a job to do taking back seats this year!
in 2010.. we took back a lot of seats, not nearly enough but a lot!  Everything political stirs me know, but it is also about PEOPLE not just laws and government.  I have to remember PEOPLE.  NO I AM NOT GOING DEMOCRATIC.. I mean in the good Jesus way.. People!



35. Who did you miss?

in 2008....I guess no one- does the cast of Men in Trees count? 
in 2009... I will say around the time of Brian's Wedding I missed my Great Grandmother (Nennie) a lot. I just thought she would have loved to see it!
in 2010.. Sarah Jean was on my mind a lot.  This last half of the year I missed my friends, just not seeing them anymore since all the schedule change.



36. Who was the best new person you met?

in 2008...Jennifer Coplings
in 2009....I just don't know that I have many new people... that sounds horrible! I must work on that this year!
in 2010... Connie Woods, children director at Garden Oaks



37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

in 2008...I do have enough.
in 2009...that sometimes giving grace for wrongs is better than giving punishment.
in 2010... that we don't all have to believe everything about the Bible in the same way.. I mean once you get past  THE CROSS and its entirety.  The rest is just going to be okay without us all believing exactly the same thing.  However THE Cross and IT"S truth are NON negotiable.


38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

In 2008.....From Beautiful World (Fisher)------It's the theme song on TLC for all their shows.
in 2009... this is the whole song, "Alright" by Darius Rucker
in 2010... Lift up Your Face  Third Day

Oh yeah…

Do you hear Him calling?
Can you hear Him calling?
He’s calling out your name
He’s calling out your name
Lift up your face, lift up your face
Salvation is calling, salvation is calling
Lift up your face, lift up your face
Salvation is calling, salvation is calling your name



                If We Ever Needed You  Casting Crowns
 
With shipwrecked faith idols rise
We do what is right in our own eyes
Our children will now pay the price
We need your light, Lord,shine your light
 
If we've ever needed you,
Lord, it's now, Lord it's now
we are desperate for your hand
We're reaching our, we're reaching out.
 
 
                My Own Little World   Matthew West
                          
 What if there’s a bigger picture?

What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I should be living right now
Outside my own little world yeah, yeah
My own little world oooh


Father break my heart for what breaks Yours
Give me open hands and open doors
and put Your Light in my eyes and let me see
That my own little world is not about me











Thursday, December 30, 2010

Through the Year Thursday... Wrap up of this year!

We have had a pretty good year, I mean no serious illness, money to pay bills plus some, friends and family safe and sound, job going well, kids being educated ( smile), church family found!






Pretty good year, I mean obviously we have had our ups and downs, there has been drama... but nothing to truly complain about!





I want to remember that through this next year, to complain and worry LESS about the little things.  I can always look back and see that it wasn't as important as I made it out to be, or it turned out fine... but in the midst of it I. DO. NOT.  I want to be better about that. 





I want to trust God more and just BE. 





Just CHILL. 





Just BELIEVE.



Just TRUST.





Just take a minute and breath.





Just think about what is TRULY important.





Just worry LESS.




Just don't DOUBT.





Just listen to that STILL, SMALL Voice.



Just think peaceful thoughts... productive thoughts!







Just think will THIS matter a few months from now.



And be an example to my kids on how our response to situation should be, well I am already being an example,  but I mean to be a good example...






That is what I want to do in the next year!






Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Schedule to accomplish in next 6 weeks-- My PLANS!

Okay... did you read MY PLANS real big in the heading.. what do they say about the best laid plans!

Anyhoo...

Bible:  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.   
                                             ------ James 1:5



We will continue through the Old Testament

Lesson 14 (which is really week 14, each lesson has 5 days work in it), so we should be through to
Lesson 20

however I have added a few stories that the curriculum left out so we might not be there.


Spelling:  To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

                                                                 -----Anatole France
Step 19-24 then starting All About Spelling Level 2 
(We should be through Step 12 in level 2 by the end of the 6 weeks.)

Handwriting:  Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.                                                 -----Tom Landry

The kids will continue in their handwriting, they should complete 6 weeks.

Math:  All you need is the plan, the road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.  ----Earl Nightingale

Each child is at a little different place in math but basically they should have accomplished 30 pages of math

History:       Plan your work for today and every day, then work  your plan.

                                            -------Margaret Thatcher

Review of 1623 to 1776
Review of beginning colonies
Set up government
1776 up to George Washington as president 1789

States
Begin President studies

English:   All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. The fight to the finish spirit is the one... characteristic we must posses if we are to face the future as finishers.  --Henry David Thoreau                                     


First Language Lessons 2---should be to lesson 156 at a minimum. 

First Language Lessons 3---just starting this unsure of how it will work but I assume we will be close to lesson 20, maybe past that.

Writing With Ease---starting week 6, I will begin doing this EVERY day (plan, remember) so we should be finishing up week 11 at the least.

Learning Language Arts Thru Literature:
Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought.

                                                  ------Napoleon Hill

Seriously my goal is to just actually do it each day! But I have time set aside when Matt and Kate are working on their in dependant work so it SHOULD get done!

I am also working on downloading and getting ready some lapbooks and game folders for Emily to work on too. She has WAY too much time on her hands during the day so we are going to simply KEEP HER BUSIER!

Writing:   It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.

                                                         - - - Eleanor Roosevelt


Kate should just continue on with her writing... I have no SET time table for this although I should!  SO how about she complete a minimum of 4 exercises over the next 6 weeks... if we do more it will be a pleasant surprise!

All 3 will continue with Draw, Write Now.
Science:    You were born to win, but to be a winner, you         must  plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.

                                                                       ----Zig Ziglar

I am way behind in science!  We  have to catch up before we can even start!  But I think we should be on lesson 11 or 12 by the end of the 6 weeks.


Memorization:  Reduce your plan to writing. The moment you complete this, you will have definitely given concrete form to the intangible desire.



                                                      --------Napoleon Hill

new list is as follows---
1 Cor 12:18
Parts of Speech poem
The Lords Prayer
Books of Bible  (adding Isaiah through Hosea)
Psalms 119:11
Interjection definition and example
Prepositions definition and example
articles
2 Cor 5:17

We will continue reviewing our past memory work with our memory system

ART:  Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.
                                                    -------Pablo Picasso


Kate will be doing a cartooning class.
We will work on American artists (post on this to follow)
We will participate, hopefully in Harmony Art Mom weekly activity

We will do seasonal and school related art projects also!

Music:  Before beginning, plan carefully.

                                         -------Marcus Tullius Cicero

We will look at the lives of 2 American composers (post to follow)
We will learn about their lives, their music and listen of course!





Physical Education:  You can always amend a big plan, but you can never expand a little one. I don't believe in little plans. I believe in plans big enough to meet a situation which we can't possibly foresee now.     ----Harry S. Truman


daily Wii activity
daily practice for Gymnastics, Tap and volleyball skills
YMCA working out
Park days


SO what are your plans.....

Advent Week 2, 3 and 4 WRAP UP...




We lit our second advent candle last night... Emily read us the Giving Tree and the kids set up our Play Nativity Set, of which we are missing pieces!  Arggg. 




We have NOT done all our daily activities from actual LACK of time... yes I see the irony of not having time to do activities about Jesus when we are going through remembering Jesus!  YES, I see it.  However I am doing the best I can right now and Jesus KNOWS it. 


2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal
James 1:2-4



Week 3- It actually never happened!  Emily fell sound asleep on Sunday night, Matt didnt want to do it without her and we just never got back to it! 

We did however do some of our advent activities!

We made monster cookies-

We had lunch with a friend-

We made treats for the homeless and passed them out-

We saw the Dawn Treader-

We went on a Christmas outing with Truck Maw Maw-

We got to download 3 new Christmas songs from I TUNES

We watched 2 Christmas movies in ONE day!

The kids made and sent out Christmas cards to friends and family!

Just to name a few....

I did however get an advent wreath on sale 70% off at Jo Ann's...
6 days before Christmas!

So the last advent night we got to use our NEW advent wreath!


I really enjoyed doing ADVENT this year.. I really wish I had taken more time but like I said, we did the best we could.  We did try to spend time with family and friends and to be giving to others.  We did focus on Jesus being the reason for this SEASON and I guess that is truly what it is about!  Just taking a breath and stopping to think about JESUS!


Christmas Eve....

We read the Christmas story and re lit all our candles, just to serve as a reminder of what we had been remembering.





Then Emily hung our Mary and baby Jesus ornament on the tree.... to symbolize the end of the waiting!
It was a precious moment!






So this is what we thought on through this advent season...
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing


Prayer:

 * That we will remember Jesus, Grace and Mercies that are new each morning. 
 *That our daily failures will lay forgotten as we start a new day, fresh.
* That we will pick up HIS Cross daily and choose THIS day whom we will serve. 
* That as we go through the motions that we will make a conscious choice to live
 each day in a way that is pleasing to HIM.  
* That we work to MIRROR the ONE who is perfect and GREAT.  
*That we strive to be more like HIM each day, that we look to others and set aside our
own wants and desires to meet their needs.
  *That in our service that they would see Jesus.