I had the best Christmas ever this year. Really. And I don't have a single photo to show for it. Really. We would be in the middle of shopping, or laughing, or baking, or decorating and I'd think "Huh. This is a good photo op," and then we'd continue the fun because unlike the embarrassing photographer at our wedding dance who knelt about 3 inches from the 4 yr. old girl who was doing a tau'olunga for us, I did not want to ruin a memory by clicking away like an observer when I was actually a participant during this, my favorite Christmas of all time.
Here are some highlights though:
We baked. A Lot. I tried a new recipe and it was the best! Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies. If you don't like candy canes, you can always dip them in coconut, crushed walnuts, sprinkles or butterscotch candies. They were so so yummy and would be fun for kids to make too!
We had a beautiful Christmas tree. Still do actually. We don't take our tree down until the day after Epiphany (Jan. 7th). Not familiar with Epiphany? It's the day that the Magi visited the newborn King.
We got fun, meaningful, and inexpensive gifts for our friends and relatives. While the recession hasn't affected us the way it has others (if you don't have money, you can't lose money), we have always been aware of the value of gift giving and the potential it has to offer meaning rather than material consumption. I loved that part.
We relaxed. We napped. We talked. We looked at our tree. We gave thanks for all the blessings the Lord has given us. And then we thanked Him again. And then we relaxed some more.
During this time, I had also taken many opportunities to contemplate the various desires of my heart and what kind of life I wanted to create for myself and my family this next year. As I began to solidify in my mind some goals that I thought were "doable", I decided to write them on another blog! A really great blog actually. One that I recently came across. It's written by an artist who I met while we lived in Seattle. Her name is Crystal and her blog is: Mammajam's Rainy Day Recess. She's a great and talented gal, married to a great and talented guy. Thanks Crystal, for giving me that space in your comment box to write the plan for 2009!
Not that anyone asked, but here they are:
Resolutions for 2009:
1. Meditate Daily. (I'm all about the Ohm)
2. Take a photo of something beautiful each day. (There are just some memories worth ruining the moment for!)
3. Make running a part of my daily routine. (Current blister on tip of middle toe notwithstanding)
4. Write at least one sentence in my daily journal. (Because some days really are that concise!)
And that's it. Four is enough, don't ya think?
All that said, I would love to hear some goals YOU may have for this year. And for those of you who are in your thirties like me, can you believe it's 2009 and that Vans are back in??? YES, WE ARE NOW OFFICIALLY RETRO.
Happy New Year one and all!!
5 comments:
That's crazy that Vans are back! As for your resolutions I think they're so doable. Thanks for the recipe and I will try it with my kids! Also have a safe and happy New Year!
P.S. I loved running on the beach instead on the concrete! For two main reasons(actually more than two) it's beautiful and you can get wet!
Thank you, Liz, I have now googled the internets for "Epiphany" and learned something new! This definitely calls for more partying.
I totally feel you on the photo-op issues. I've missed so many chances for great pictures, but the experiences are etched more permanently in my mind because I wasn't glued to a camera.
And lastly, *blush* I have a hard time calling myself an artist. I have a lot of growing to do, but thank you. A SINCERE thank you.
Happy 2009!
ps: Is there a way to print out your Twitters? That could take care of your "daily sentence" goal.
Happy New Year, and Christmas, and if I don't get to you, Happy Epiphany. I really do learn something new every time I read your blog.
On a diferent note, have you recieved the email going around on the signing of the Freedom of Choice Act which basically sounds to me like letting babies with cleft pallets starve to death and other horible partial abortion stuff too will be legal. It didn't sit well with me and thought you would know where I could look up some unbiased information on this matter. I'm really hoping it's not as grim as it sounds. I can forward it to you if you like.
Thanks.
hey jill!
here's a link to one person's opinion about the issue, also with quotes from Barack Obama about it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/abortion-healing-or-new-c_b_151074.html?page=4&show_comment_id=18823486#comment_18823486
i knew there was this issue but didn't know the name of the bill. i saw the fear mongering videos with the "testimonials" that were made. and they're simply not true. BUT i have always told my friends that i agree with 90% of the democratic platform (as opposed to the 10% i agree with republicans) and just take personal responsibility to voice my opposition of the issues i don't agree with in my party. (hope that run-on sentence made sense!)
obama's choices for his cabinet members as well as choosing rick warren to give the invocation shows that he's keeping his promise to unite the country. this is one issue he needs to relent. b/c there are many democrats that are completely uncomfortable with this as well. the bill is sweeping and awfully shortsighted. in my opinion (not that you even asked! haha!), the bill does not allow for the complexities of the issue. it sees abortion as simply a medical procedure, which obviously it is not. the bill has potential to limit or halt any opportunity for discussion around or real choice in the matter.
anyway, sorry for the long post. resolution #4: concise concise concise!!
happy new year!
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