Happy New Year!

Hello! We want to wish you a very blessed New Year! We have had a busy house for the last week and a half. Chris, Melissa and the boys just left today after visiting for several days. It was a nice time of being together and relaxing. We even watched the boys one night so they could go out on a date. We attempted to have an open house on Sunday where we invited the whole church but it kinda bombed. Hardly anyone showed up. We enjoyed good food and conversation with those that did come and now I know I don't have to do one next year! One of the nice parts about all the preparation was that we made more head way on the kitchen. I know, it seems like is should be done but not quite. We are closer though! I will show you something soon that we did, it is really cool!
I thought I would post a few photos of the past week.
How is this for a cutie?! Little Logan has grown so much since the last time we saw him! He now has hair and teeth and motoring around! He was loving on their dog and she was being ever so good about it!

Here is Josh opening some gifts on Christmas.

Greg...

Kaleb got a cleverly wrapped gift from his brother...

And Ethan opened his gift, a big set of Playmobiles.

Once again, few photos of me, and they aren't fit for posting for the world to see, lol.

I came across this today and thought it was a good word for the new year. It apparently came from a Dear Abby column and is adapted from an Al-Anon credo. (Elissa, this is for you and me ;))

JUST FOR TODAY, I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I'll improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking. Just for today, I'll refrain from improving anybody but myself.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I'm overweight, I'll eat healthily -- if only just for today. And not only that, I'll get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

Hope you are off to a good start to your 2009!

Hugs from all of us!