last thoughts from 2009

Besides my resolutions I thought I would add these:

Things I learned from 2009

1. Be thankful for the blessings you DO have

2. Real friends look past their own hurt or disappointment to see you. They understand or at least accept the silence and they see the bigger picture

3. I learned the power of prayer and faithfulness

4. That I am in love with the age of 4

5. You HAVE to move forward

6. Romance is not the most important thing in a marriage, it's if you can weather the storm together

7. It's not fun to have your life turned upside down, but it's amazing to see how much you can change

Wishing you a wonderful New Year and hoping you will continue to visit my blog through 2010.

xo,

Amanda

Brody's 2010 Resolutions

Like last year, it was challenging to explain what a resolution is, but I was proud of Brody for understanding as best as he could!

1. Go to Chuck E Cheese more
2. Give people birthday presents on their birthday
3. Learn to do jumps on my bike
4. Play with Piper more

Mark's 2010 Resolutions

Poor Mark! I make him do them too :)

1. Be more patient with the kids
2. Make an effort to have the kids be involved in more productive activities
3. Make an effort to go the the gym more, not just depend on hobbies to lose weight
4. Rebound from a bad sales year at work
5. Give Amanda enough free time now that we have 3 kids

My 2010 Resolutions

If you are a reader of my blog, you know I take resolutions pretty seriously. I think they are a great way to start your year and reflect on your triumphs and missteps from the previous year. Without reflecting on ourselves, how can we grow?

My resolutions this year needed to be simple, straight forward and realistic. Things I can practice daily while balancing a new baby and my other two kiddos.

1. Pray continuously (through the good and bad)
2. Lose ALL the baby weight
3. Do more activities with the kids (especially if I don't feel like it)
4. Let things go (especially the opinions of others)
5. Give up Coca-Cola
6. Don't fight change
7. Grow my business more than 25%
8. Encourage others whenever possible
9. Put my family first
10. Do all things with love as the goal

Totally adjusting to life with 3 kids AND working on my New Year's resolutions, which you know I will post!

tsunami video

On the day after Christmas in 2004, Kalle Widelius was taking video at a Thai resort when the sea mysteriously receded. He filmed as the water first moved onto land slowly and then with the force that would claim 245,000 lives.

I found this video fascinating and had to share. Sorry if it's a bit of a downer in subject, but makes you thankful to be alive! Can you believe it's been 5 years.

my new baby fav

I promise this hasn't turned into a baby blog! I will not only post about baby products! But just one more for now. My new favorite baby item is......


The Halo Sleepsack Swaddler. Perfect for swaddling babies when you get home from the hospital. It's so warm for winter and they are so cozy. I seriously love it soooooo much. I got mine at Babies R Us.

love them

Things that lasted up to 3 kids and 4.5 years, only bought once. Things that I cannot live without, especially with newborns.

Pottery Barn Kids Bassinet

Fisher-Price Baby Papsan Swing

The Medela Pump-In-Style Breast Pump

Bugaboo Stroller with Wheeled Board

(stroller may cost a lot but we never bought anything else, except for the double stroller that we just purchased for outside use, we will still be using the Bugaboo)

The Boppy Pillow

A little reflection for today

I may not have everything I have ever wanted, but you know what, I have everything I could EVER hope for.

I experienced my own little private miracle during this holiday season and during my delivery. Something I will never forget. At a time when I was the most scared and vulnerable, I received a sign and a blessing.

I know this time of year is hard for people, but I hope you can find your own miracles and blessings out of any situation. It may take a lot of prayers, a lot of hope and a lot of peace. But I hope you can get there.

I feel like I have.

xo

part 2

I'm a week late, but here's Part 2 to NieNie's story.