Okay, I just have to take a moment this evening to post my thanks to so many fantastic folks out there who have given me a very warm welcome to the blogging world. As I pause to look back over the past 4 months I am in awe. Since I began blogging in August of this year, I have received 896 comments on the 151 posts. I not only learned what a Technorati rank was, but in only 4 months time, jumped from a 770,000 rank to the 50,000’s. My husband even gave an excited yelp of delight when he announced the other night that my name was now the top one on a search he did on the family name. And I thought I’d have nothing to talk about…tee hee.

I’m constantly amazed at how fun it is to meet knew people in different ways. In such a short time I have found so many wonderful new friends that I feel very connected to. Thank you all for being so wonderful, for taking time to drop in from time to time, for leaving a comment and for blessing me with your talents and shares. You are all such a blessing to me. I look forward to every morning because of your kind support and friendship.

Here’s to the end of a very good year and the hopes that 2007 will be the best yet! Sending you all the biggest of {{{{Hugs}}}} and best wishes for a fantastic new year!

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Positive Impact Inspiration Relationships Success

So yesterday we decided to brave the holiday crowds at the theatre to see “Night At the Museum.” The movie is fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable, and I’d go again in a heartbeat, but the service and volume of people were atrocious. Long lines were evidence that kids are out of school and apparently a lot of parents are on vacation breaks as well. The 2:30 matinee that we attended, already had two full waiting lines 45 minutes before showtime and that was just for one of the 25 movies playing at that theatre. Yes, it was like ants on an anthill. But what blew my mind was the lack of staff and accommodations for the crowds. There were only two ticket windows open for a line that wrapped around the side of the building (thankfully, we bought our tickets earlier) and there was only a few staff at the concessions counter as well.
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What a fantastic holiday we’re having at my house! Christmas was so wonderful! Tay has almost worn out his new bike (for sure he’s worn out his backside informing us of how it hurts! LOL), and Cid has found a way to stay up on her Heelys shoes at least 75% of the time now. It was just a perfect Christmas Eve and Christmas Day all the way around. We made fondue for the first time since we’ve been married (we’ve been inspired by The Melting Pot), and all three courses turned out as wonderful as our trips to the restaurant so I was all smiles. Cid was just delighted to have the “grown-up” glasses out and she and Tay kept asking to do “cheers” all meal long. It was great fun.

As much as I love blogging, I’ve truly enjoyed my little vacation this week as well. It’s nice to spend more time with the family doing things. We took in Rocky yesterday at the theatre (because Eragon was sold out) and it was surprisingly enjoyable. Then we watched Coach Carter last night and that was an great show too. Always too much “reality” in shows today, but I liked that both stories held the concept of self-improvement. I think that’s partly why I like the blogosphere so much too. And I’m grateful that most bloggers aren’t keeping up their usual pace this week either as I may even have a chance to keep up with some reading. ;o)

This morning was extremely productive for me resulting in the house being “found” after the Christmas fun - all the decorations are put away and new things have found their place. Which means I can truly relax and enjoy tomorrow. And a big shout out to my friend Laura for remembering me TWICE already for that birthday that finds me tomorrow. It is always nice to be remembered. Snoopy smiles right back at ya!

Next week I should be back to my normal game and posting, but for now I’m enjoying every moment with my family. In the meantime (of downtime) for me, here are some of my favorite blogs you should check out:

Pass The Torch
Island Life
Long Relationships
The Whippoorwill Chronicles

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Family Sharing Holidays

This one goes out to all my blogging buddies.

‘Twas 2 days before Christmas
And all through the house,
one creature was stirring
’twas the computer’s mouse.
Her fingers were flying
her posts filled with care
In the hopes that her readers
would soon visit there.
The baking was waiting
the laundry was too -
Just a couple more minutes
And this post will be through.
From this blogger to you
during this season of fun
May your family and blogging
remain number one.
May your computer be true
your posts bright and merry
Your blog site be found
by the blogging stats fairy.
On writer, on reader,
on commenter too
And a Merry Christmas
from this blogger to you!

(Maybe I had a little too much eggnog? *wink*)

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Funnies Holidays

No room. That’s how the story is told. A law-abiding citizen, travels to the city of his ancestors to pay taxes. The city is crowded and he is told repeatedly that there is no room for lodging. I can’t imagine his distress and concern, given his wife’s condition. Finally, he receives a small token of kindness with an offering of a stable, and it is there in those most meek and lowly of stations, that his wife gave birth.

I can’t help but ponder on the simple concept of “no room” because it is so powerful. What if one person had made room that night? What if one person had cared more for another than themselves and given their room for the safe arrival of her child and comfort of a woman on the brink of giving birth? How many times have I been guilty of not making room for things and people that matter?
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I just got through reading some new Christmas cards and letters. It’s so silly but I find myself with tears in my eyes. So many wonderful friends, memories and warm thoughts this time of year flood to my mailbox or inbox. One of my younger sister’s cards made it today and as I looked at the family picture I just couldn’t believe it. A new season has come, like it or not. When my younger siblings have kids starting school and spouses graduating from medical school, it is obvious that time marches on and I can already see the horizon of the new season I’m in now. I’m out of the newly married and just starting a young family stage and that hardly seems possible. It’s certainly not fair! But there it is, a silent night has settled over this past season. I’m not alone, as several siblings on both sides of our families are very near the same mark as ourselves and one sibling of mine is ahead with her oldest 18 years old now. In not very much time, family photos will show our kids as teens and on the brink of starting their own families. I’m ever more aware of timing lately. I see old photos in a new light, making much more association of my age and season to that of those in the past. I suppose that comes with the dawn of a new season that brings about a little more awareness. But just for right now, I’ll hold on to every good memory of us as little kids together. I’ll remember us playing pioneers out in the weeds and tall grass. I’ll remember singing around the piano at Christmas time, and riding with dad as he plowed snow in the old Jeep. I’ll remember all the magical moments of Christmas past. Yes, the memories of childhood linger even if the years don’t.

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Family Parenting Emotions Perspectives

[blenza_autolink ww]

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Wordless Wednesday Holidays

Few things worry mom as much as manners and kids. You worry if they’ve got them, and you hope that if they do they got the good ones!
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So it’s Monday, December 18th. You have a few things on your list done, but maybe you’re stressing over those last minute gift ideas or holiday cards. Here’s two tips that may make your life much easier and both are free, easy and quick.

Slide
Picasa

Create a slideshow to drop into your blog, e-mail or webpage for the holiday greeting card. Slide is the answer with code to copy for a blog and links to use for sharing. Voila - you’re done in a few minutes and it looks so professional and neat with themes, etc.

Create a gift CD of pictures as the perfect gift. Picasa is a free tool from Google that not only organizes your photos and make quick edits and effects fun and easy, but it also makes creating a gift CD as simple as one click! It makes quick work out of the gift CD.

Now smile really big because it’s only Monday and you still have 6 days to Christmas which is plenty of time to incorporate both these ideas!

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Scrapbook Sharing Organizing Positive Impact Inspiration Balance Holidays

It’s always a wonderful thing to have something to “show” for your family time over the weekend. Here’s mine this week:

The kids had a blast putting together their Christmas village. Taylor kept saying over and over how his house was “perfeck” and they were fascinated with the church’s stained glass windows. Who knew they’d love suckers a different way! *wink*
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Family Sharing Motherhood Holidays