HELP!!

I know! My background is boring. I can't even spice it up with changing the colors of my words. The only way you can pull up my blog is if I have it on Minima. What the? I can't even pick out another (boring) template provided by Blogger. Ugh. Help?! Anyone? It says I need to upgrade, but when I do then you are unable to pull up my blog. If I do not upgrade, I cannot pull up the widget to put in a new code for my background. It's all very irritating. I never should have decided to try to change my background...

ETA: I figured out part of my problem. Now if I can just figure out how to add a different background from another site...

'ten.'eleven.

Although I wanted to cram our year into a nutshell for you, I realized that no matter how I listed or wrote about the main events in our past year, it came off sounding really negative. This year has been filled with trials for us. Without a doubt. However. We've been handed an almost equal amount of blessings, too. That being said, I'm so glad this year is over. Let's give it another shot. Yes, we still have a challenge ahead of us with the hippies in this family. We aren't going to let it get the best of us. So there!

I don't remember if I made a New Year's resolutions last year. So, needless to say, I don't know if I was successful or not. Turns out, I was a little busy this time last year.

So this year, I will share my resolutions. Which I actually take very seriously. For reals. If you want to improve yourself- you have to put a little effort into it. Last year was an exception for me. Sorry about that, self.

1. Focus more on me and Z. I've given myself breaks when I know I need them. To be at my best. It's amazing how the fun things easily take a backseat to the less than fun things. And we've had a lot to deal with and we've been negligent with our date nights. Time to give that back to us.

2. Focus a little more on all of the kids. It's so easy to pour my attention into the one kid that needs me the most. (or so I think) But it's not good to leave the others behind. And it messes with the family dynamics, anyway. The ones that aren't getting attention start to beg for it. In less than fun ways. Yes, that means less "In a minute" 's for me. Yikes. That's a tall order.

3. As always, keep up with the Dave Ramseyfying of my life. And exercising- this past year was a slacker year for me. On both of these. Whoops.

How about you?

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas!

And a blessed new year!

Next up on the planning agenda

And we have a surgery date! I'm not posting it for the world to see. So if you really must know, email me. I'll happily share. Now I can make plans and prepare. Be still, my planner-heart. BTW: I'm hoping some of you will meet me for lunch in the Twin Cities, as he will be in the hospital for a good chunk of a week. You know who you are. Have car, will meet you.

In other good news, Logan's ROM (range of motion) has improved by as much as 28 degrees. If it proceeds this well, surgery will be our reality. And then we can (hopefully) make some real progress. *This* might be the best gift we could be given right now. Didn't I say my gifts were going to be the not-returned kind? ;)

They eye of the beheld

We hit one of five, yes five, appointments that I scheduled the week of Christmas. I like to make life easy for myself, apparently. Heh. In all seriousness, I told you I'm crazy-prepared. It's true. My preparedness is directly proportionate to how excited I am about something. If I'm not very, it's low on my list and I become a procrastination queen. Christmas trumps most everything.

My Bizzizzy had yet another eye appointment. We were done patching her eye in October. Unfortunately, it made the "strong eye" become the "weak eye". Great. She will need surgery, but the Doc has decided to wait another four months to check it again. Great. Guess what that means? The Queen of second opinions is doing what she does best. That's right. I just really like to be pro-active. Sitting around and waiting is not my style. Sorry. Although I am not "excited" about it, my children's health problems are at the top of my not-procrastinating list.

My Izzy, she makes me happy. She fell asleep in the car today and I didn't realize she was awake until she starts singing, "..I keep bleeding, I keep, keep bleeding love..." She's so amazing, that one. Just like the song that I always say is about her and her sisters. Well, the chorus, anyway. (There is a part that might be a little weird if it was.)

"When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Because, girl, you're amazing, just the way you are"

Every time the song comes on now, she just tells me, "Oh, mom! I love you!" And then she starts singing, not caring that the world is listening. That's her style. And I love it.

Haley.com

For you, Kylee. With extra hugs and kisses.

Yes, there is a reason behind the name. And, no, it is not

because I favor Haley.

We had our very first Christmas program last night. All the kids got

new clothes- even the ones that were not in it. (I & K)

The program was so sweet. I couldn't help but realize how lucky we are.

For so many things.

(Hope you liked it, Ky!)

*****

I've come to really love Sundays. They are the perfect way to

end a busy week. I don't even mind that church is so far away-

coffee at Panera (during Sunday School) with friends?

The perfect start to Sunday.

Yesterday, I counted my lucky stars. I'm surrounded

by a lot of good things in my life. And you are all a part of it.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

Future stylist!

Oh, Izzy. She gets her impeccable taste from her Aunts. On my side.

They have so kindly taught her the ins and outs of the fashion world.

Well, from their perspective, anyway.

Such refined taste. That's all I have to say about that.

Way to go, aunts!