New Bar Set High

Happy New Year!!  I am ready to meet this new year.  I am glad coming out of one of the best holiday seasons of my life.  I have been thinking about what is going to define me this year.  Last year, I made two commitments.  The first was that I would blog on a weekly basis.  I have to say that I pretty much succeeded in that goal.  If you have been following me you would have seen a new post from me every Sunday.  I didn't get every week but eighty to ninety percent is good enough for me.  As for my second goal, I determined to live a worry free life.  I don't know if I could say that I was successful in this goal, but I feel better about my life now than I did one year ago.  It took many battles and a lot of soul searching to get here but I feel less worried than before.  I stumble a lot though.  I still don't feel good about money, and I don't always parent the best way I can.

That brings me to the new goal that I will be setting for myself.  I will continue to blog.  I will now add to my weekly schedule taking one of my children out each week.  I don't really think that I can take them out to dinner, yet.  I plan to take them to library or get kids cones at the ice cream store.  I have been really thinking about who I am as a parent and a man.  I want to make an impact with my family.  I want to be a father to my kids.  I wanted to start ministering to others in my life, and I realized that my kids fall into that category.  They are more important though since God gave me them as an investment.  He wants to see a return for his trust in me.  I want to make sure when it's all done I can say that I made the effort to expand his investment even if I failed. 

That's about all I have to say for now.  God go before us all this year help us grow and heal each other.

Question of the Week

What are you looking forward to in the new year?

I am looking forward to getting outdoors.  I cannot wait for the time to change back so that I have more sunlight at the end of the day to go out. 

Pixelated Xmas Memories

Everyone is a Hero

It's been a great holiday season.  I don't normally feel this way at the end of the Thanksgiving to Christmas season.  I usually am the Grinchy one at the holiday party.  I am not a people person.  During the holidays, I have a (what seems un-ending) list of parties and charity events to attend.  I have gotten so overwhelmed I have trouble cooking a simple breakfast for my princes and princesses.  I should have figured out by now why I get so grumpy during holidays.  It's was only this year that I took an inward look at myself.  I asked God and myself why cannot I keep from the grumpy feelings. 


 I simply needed to recharge myself more often through quiet, alone time.  I took our dog for a walk this morning to the library.  It was fabulous.  I walked some of my frustrations out.  I really wish I had some cold weather bike gear.  I know that I would drain all my grumpy out on the trails. 

Youngest Prince at the Movies

Oldest Prince at the Movies

To continue, I had a good holiday.  I didn't really expect anything from any of my relatives this year.  I know that my expectations have caused me anguish in the past (I'm not proud to admit that).  I didn't expect anyone would get me much this year because of the economy.  My attitude really helped me focus of the givers rather than the gifts.  I was much happier that way.  I also really tried to put some thought into the gifts I gave this year.  When I really try to think about the person whom I giving the gift to I come up with more meaningful gifts.  This year's Christmas surely will stick out to in my memory.  I will end with some photos of my nephew at our big Christmas celebration.

That's all I have to say for now, God please bless us this year and next.