Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I thought I might share some thoughts I had last night with you.Hope you don't mind! :)

I have to admit... I've never really been one to "reflect on last year" on New Year's Eve or Day. I've always just enjoyed the holiday and moved on to the new year. This year was different....

I spent some time last night thinking over the past year. As with most anyone looking back on a significant period of time, there were ups and downs; things I am proud of and things I wish I had done different; good times and hard; etc...

I was able to make a small list of things I want to improve in 2011. Not resolutions per say... more like learning from the past and making some changes to make them better next time.

I also made a list of things that I am really grateful for and posted it on my mirror so I will be reminded often of how good God has been to my family.

And of course there was the couple of things that I resolved to do... exercise, go to bed earlier, etc... One thing I have learned to do well, through my business, is make goals and then make them happen. So I am feeling much more confident in the things I'd like to improve actually happening this time!

But, something that I got to thinking about that I found a bit interesting and you may too.... The phrase "Happy New Year". This is most often said to others as a passing comment that we mean to be "I hope you have a Happy New Year coming your way!"

Well... instead of saying that to you, I am making a minor adjustment... "MAKE this a Happy New Year!"

We have the ability to have a Happy 2011. We know from past experience that stuff is gonna happen. Some of us are going through good times now and hardships or struggles are just not in our vision. Some of us are facing those struggles now and good times seem something of the distant past or even worse... someone other people have, but not you. But either way, we know there WILL be ups and downs; things we are proud of and things we will wish we did different; good times and hard. How we face ALL these things and in what way we react will ultimately decide if we have a Happy 2011.

So... if you only make one resolution this New Year, let it be this... "I will make 2011 a HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

One more thing... but definitely the most important one... never forget the ONLY source of TRUE, unfailing happiness... Christ! I pray your year is filled with Christ's Happiness!

Blessings to you!

Reach Your Goals By Constantly Planting Seeds

A Great Friend wrote an article that I wanted to share! I met Martha Blanchard through our business and she has become so much more than a co-worker. She has become a mentor, confidant, cheerleader and friend! Martha is a wonderful mom of two beautiful girls. She is a daughter every mother prays for. And a true friend, through thick and thin. I am truly the blessed one in this relationship!

Enjoy her article! I hope it inspires you, as it does me...

http://bit.ly/PlaningSeeds

I believe in you too!

Geordie

My Reflections on Hard Work and God's Blessings

We got some really fun news today... A promotion in my business, of sorts!! I say 'of sorts' because a promotion is something you get at your job when you've worked hard to have someone else see that you are worth a better position. That's not really what happened here... Because I own my own business, I am the one to give myself a raise or keep me at status quo or even fire myself!!

And in this case, it was not a matter or "deserving" a promotion, it was a matter of setting a goal for myself and my business and working until it happened. Is not most of life like that? We have dreams, we set goals, and we work toward them... or not! Most of us stop at having dreams. A few of us set goals. Some will start working. Most don't keep working until we reach them.

That used to be me! Mostly because, until I starting working with some really smart people, I never understood the value of setting goals and making plans to get there. I was in the "that would be nice and I hope it happens someday" mode of life. Not much chance of that happening!! In fact, when I first started setting goals... I thought it was kinda hokey. I knew what I had to do, why'd I have to write them down? Well, writing them down and being specific has made a difference!! I just reached one of my biggest goals ever!

Writing the goals is only one small step though... You gotta work!! And often work HARD! And often fail! But keep going... you will get there if you persevere and learn from your failures.

One other piece of this pie, in fact, the largest piece... live your life so that you can receive the blessings of God. Do everything ethically. Don't cut corners, don't cheat along the way. Help others and make them the priority of everything you do. You will be a much happier person and God will be "well pleased!"

Off to celebrate and enjoy the fruit for a couple days, then on to new goals! :)

Blessings!

They Grow Up Fast!

The past few weeks have been busy but fun! We've gone to recitals, graduations, weddings and enjoyed a new baby in the family.... all a new generation growing up fast!! And making me feel old!!!! :)


These 2 video's are from Jordan's Recital. He's only been playing guitar for 3 weeks! Drumming for a while longer. (Yes, I am a proud momma!). The rest of the kids are all his good friends.

http://bit.ly/9JsNJV - Guitar

http://bit.ly/9o9RSf - Drumming








My oldest nephew's new son, Jayce. I cannot believe that my brother is a Grandpa!!




The 1st of my neices to graduate, Rachael!










The 2nd nephew to get married, Ben!









The "babies" of the family... now 9, 8 and 11!!

The Essence of A New Day

A friend gave me a card the other day with this great quote on it:

The Essence Of A New Day ~

"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind...let it be something good."

What a great way to think of each new day! We are all so privileged to have today. What will you do with yours?

I AM BLESSED!!

What a great end to a great weekend!! What a privilege to be with these precious faces EVERY day!

Family - An Amazing Word

Hello Everyone,

I'm feeling pretty sentimental tonight! The last few months have made me re-examine my own commitment to my family as well as NOT taking them for granted. Serious health issues for my husband, completely altering day-to-day life... Ongoing concerns for my father's health... Having a teen son that is really a great kid and watching him become a solid young man, and realizing he will be in high school and old enough to hunt this year and driving in another year after that!.... Having my pre-teen son change from a little boy to a teen.... Having my 8 yr. old baby still love me but realizing I was not the woman he wanted to marry someday.... Having a new baby, my great-nephew, born, a whole new generation.... And having everyone together this weekend for my neice-to-be's wedding shower, except my brother and missing him a ton!... Dear friends who are facing unbelievable challenges with their son... and that's just to name a few! :)

Family... it's a word that can bring on any and every emotion that you can conjure up. It's a word that encompasses incredible amounts of our lives. It's a word that I love!

God has blessed me abundantly! I am so grateful for the joy that Family brings me. I am overwhelmed at what a blessing they are. Thank you, Lord, for my family!! And Thank You, Lord, for all the time that I get to spend with them!!