Hoping for SNOW

Each year during the winter I leave the sunshine of the southwest and head to Northern Idaho to visit my Sis and her family and friends. I love to go in the middle of winter in hopes of seeing snow. There have been years that there was only a slight fluttering of snow, which I got excited over and then there are those years when it looks like the picture above and is a winter wonderland. I seem to be the only one in Moscow that is thrilled with the white stuff, because as I explain where I am from, I get various questioning looks of amazement as to why I would leave sunshine and 70 degree days. And then the proverbial question "why come here in the winter"? I have to explain that I love to see the snow and I don't ever get to see it where I live.. Plus I get to spend some quality one on one time with Judy, going to movies, eating out, shopping, scrapbooking, shopping, visiting friends, going to the U of I basketball games, shopping. I also go to visit in the summer, but then it is to get away from the HEAT of the desert and spend some beautiful cooler weather up there. I love the little town of Moscow in the winter and in the summer. Judy comes to visit me in the winter to get away from the cold and spend some time in flip flops and soak up some sunshine. Then again in the Fall to get her last shot of sun before the winter hits her home. So we get to see each other several times a year, which is so good for the soul. We have been doing this for many, many years and we love it.

Adventure

I have been thinking and thinking about what my word for the year would be, one that will represent what I want to focus on in 2011.. I finally decided on the word "adventure", I want to try new things, experience new joys, go new places and meet new people.. In other words I want to step out of the box and make new memories. I read a quote that said "adventure can lead to happiness".

In the Memory Mixer class I take each month, taught by my daughter Kristan we are starting a new challenge for 2011. We are working on a year long project entitled,

"The Little Things".

"enjoy the little things in life,

for one day you may look back

and realize they were the

BIG THINGS".

I love this quote and this is really what my goal for this year is all about..

to look at each day and discover what new things I can see, or do.

I know that if I look for the little things around me, my life will be much happier.

This week I was asked to join a group of ladies called the 3 C's - creating cards and conversation. I was asked to join them last year and didn't and then when I was approached again last Sunday, I thought well, it will be a new adventure..and I'm all for new adventures this year. When we arrived I was nervous and excited to start something new in my life. I had a wonderful time and can't wait for this week to join them again.

On Saturday my youngest grandson Tyler was baptized. It was a very special day for our family. Tyler had asked his cousin Kelly to baptize him, since he will be leaving on his mission soon. What a special opportunity for both Tyler and Kelly. Tyler asked me to be one of the speakers at his baptism, and I was very honored to participate on this special day. I have given talks at almost everyone of my grandchildrens baptisms. There were 3 boys and 3 girls being baptized so the chapel was full.. made me a little nervous, but all went well. We followed this up with a family pot-luck and lots of family fun.

Create Memories

All over the world, the new year is thought to be a time to invite good luck into your life. Although New Year's a time to look forward to the coming year, it is also a time to look back at what has happened, what mattered, and what and who is important in your life. We each should take a few minutes or a few hours to pause, to give thanks, to honor a time that has come and gone, and remember. I want to look at last years calendar and recall the days and events that have passed, remembering what I have accomplished, remembering the people, reflecting on the fun I have had and the work I have accomplished this past year and even those things that didn't go as planned. "A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the next". So I want to create "memory keepers", instead of making resolutions.

Yesterday as I was putting up my Christmas decorations I came across a basket that held all the cards and mementos that I saved from Kent's passing. As I read the cards, I was sad and cried a little, but I was also so very proud of the man that Kent was and that he played such an important part in my life and the lives of our children as well as so many friends and family members. I read and remembered the special memories with each of those who sent cards and wrote notes to me and to my family. Some of the people I don't remember but Kent made an impression on their lives enough for them to send a card remembering him.

So that is why this year I want to create memories and document them so I can look back at 2011 with a joyful heart of the wonderful memories of each person & event that touches my life in some way.

I love this quote:

"The best gifts are the people in our lives and the moments we share,

your days are just waiting to be enriched with creative thought,

joyful purpose, and inspired meaning".

"Happy New Years 2011"