The Beginning of Something Great

It's a new year. Bring on 2011! At the close of each year I love to reflect back on the previous year and remember all the good things that happened and how much I have been blessed. I also like to think about things that could have gone better and where I might improve. I think that most of the world does this. This year I just want to focus more on the good. Good friends, good family, good food, good life. I'm casting out the bad. Sometimes I get caught up in trying to please everyone. No more. I'm casting out the bad. I'm casting aside the people that don't truly have my best interest at heart. I'm going to focus on nourturing relationships that are priceless to me. My best friend and hubby, my little angel, my family and my dear sweet friends. I'm going to make sure that I never make a decision based on pride. I truly believe that if we all stopped worrying about what every one thinks of us and start worrying about how we treat each other, the world could heal itself. So, for 2011 I wish us all peace in our homes, love in our families and charity in our hearts. If I can accomplish any of these this year, I know I will have done something great.

Tis the season, to eat everything with butter

For your viewing pleasure (you're welcome!)

I love Christmas! Love it. Actually, I love the anticipation of Christmas. I love the lights and the cookies and the spices and the smells and the good feelings that people have for one another. Then comes Christmas Day and it's all over. I don't love presents or buying things, but I do love family. My family is the best. My sister is home and brother is not far behind and I am really sad to not be there this year. I'm sad that I don't get to be woken up by my dad telling me that there are sugar plums dancing in my head. I'm sad that I don't get to cook with my mom and enjoy a week of amazing cuisine, and cuddle in bed with my sister. But most of all I'm sad that we won't all be together. However, I have a plan B. Dustin has this thing he likes to call a family, and I am sure glad he does. I can look forward to Jaime's delectable desserts and a certain older brother being Santa Claus and Jenn playing the piano for us to sing Christmas songs. And, of course the Christmas Eve play. Charlotte is going to be an angel (sigh) Yes, this year will be great.

The joys of a one year old

We woke up early as usual on Char's birthday and I let her open her presents. She loves new toys!

This picture makes me laugh. Doesn't she look like a red neck from the 80's? Crazy mullet and a gap toothed grin :)

Here she is watching her birthday cake bake.

Things that have changed in our lives in the last year.
1. Our bedtime has gone from 11:30 to 9:30.
2. There are fingerprints on everything in our home.
3. Toothbrushes have been known to make their way to the toilet.
4. Dog toys have been found in the cereal box.
5. The living room is booby trapped with toys
6. There are cheerios everywhere.
7. I can’t leave the house without four bags, eight sippy cups and ten pairs of socks.
8. I spend the majority of my time in sweat pant. (Not that I’m complaining!)
9. I know the names of all Caillou’s friends and family members.
10. I can’t remember the last time I went shopping alone, which makes it easy to not shop at all!
11. My love has increased ten fold and our little Charlotte has taught us what real happiness is.
Happy Birthday (last week) to my sweet one year old princess.

A post about nothing.

Rained on at the zoo

Lions
After bath hair!
Char's favorite place to hide

Well, here I am. Another year older and hopefully wiser. We have had a busy month, like always. Charlotte is ever growing and coming into her own. She is a special little girl. Are all your kids this special or is the first one really the most special? If we have any more kids they just won't get the one on one time that I can give to Charlotte. I guess that's just how it goes. We have been busy with school, as always. I'm always a little sad when Halloween ends. It means that the other two holidays will come quickly and then be over. Why do they have all the good holidays so close together? They should have spread out Thanksgiving and Christmas a few months more, don't you think? We have been going to the zoo almost every week. We love being so close. Living in the city has it's perks.

The People of Central Phoenix Walmart

You know you’re in a Phoenix Walmart, when you hear a little girl screaming no quiero, no quiero, NO QUIERO! Over and over again while anticipating her flu shot. You know you’re in a Phoenix Walmart when the line goes super slow because every single person pays in cash and coin because the majority of the population can’t open a bank account. You know you’re in a Phoenix Walmart, when you’re trying to read the magazines while waiting in line and you can’t find an English copy. I’m just saying…

Alright, I had a good laugh writing this, but this place is starting to grow on me. I kinda like my neighborhood, which is a drastic improvement from when I moved here.

Dustin is officially a published writer. He wrote an article for a Windows Administrators site, and the editor loved it and it appeared here. I’m sure everyone is dying to read it. My hubby is a smart man!

Warning...baby post.

(Crazy after bath hair, inherited from her father)

(destroying the kitchen)

Tonight is a post about Charlotte. I haven't posted about her much lately because I have been posting my random thoughts instead. It amuses me quite a bit to do so, but here is a baby post. But first, have any of you out there ever watched Keeping up Appearances? It is British humour (spelling on purpose) at its best. I used to watch it when I was young and I have recently rekindled my love of all things Hyacinth related. Also, I made really good pumpkin bread the other day and I will share the recipe, you can find it here. Okay, Baby Nut (as we like to call her) is getting big and adorable and feisty. She's the cutest fit thrower I have ever seen. Every time she doesn't get her way, watch out! Dustin says she gets that from me. I'm not sure, but I think that might be a Miller gene. Ha! Charlotte loves to climb the stairs, stand in the window and bang on it, and get in the water. Swimming pool, bath tub, sink, dog bowl, it doesn't really matter the source, if she finds the water she will play in it. She loves to clap and mimic us and she will be walking by the end of the month I'm sure. She's a brave little gal and loves to climb and get into dangerous situations. She is just so much fun and the older she gets the more I think I'll keep her around.