way to go kj for passing hunters safety! i honestly think he got more answers correct than i did when i took it years ago. he can officially go with daddy now! wooohoo for me:)

not much else to say right now....so here are some pics

My 2009 Word

I found this cool idea on this blog. I love the meaning behind it. I hope some of you will join me in this. Here is the idea:

Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2009?

Your word can be anything you want it to be - it does not have to be soulful, or clever, or original. It can be practical and tangible. Don't worry if someone else has chosen the same word as you - this is just for you. You don't have to be creative - just be true.
The idea behind the one little word concept is to give yourself something to focus on throughout the year. "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow."
It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.
One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.


So I googled my word for images. This is one of them that stood out at me.





So my word for 2009 is Clarity.
clar·i·ty [ klárrətee ]

noun

Definition:

1. clearness of expression: the quality of being clearly expressed

2. clearness of thought: clearness in what somebody is thinking

3. clearness of reproduction: the quality of being clear in sound or image

4. transparent quality: the quality of being clear, pure, or transparent

Synonyms: clearness, lucidity, simplicity, precision, intelligibility, transparency

I have been thinking about a few different words to be "my" words for the year, and I kept thinking this would be a challenge for me. Clarity means so many things. I need to be better at listening, I need to be better about thinking happy thoughts, I need to be better at being better. Does that even make any sense. I could go on and on and on about all the meanings this specific word has for me, but that would totally put you all to sleep. The picture above is what I hope to feel like at the end of the year.

Indy 2009

i need to say thanks to my brother and his family for letting me crash their place all last week. for christmas i gave myself a plane ticket to go see them in indiana. since he has been there for almost 6 years, and i have only been there once, i found it high time i go visit. it was so much fun. normally when i am away from home for a couple days, i start to count down the time until i get to be home. however, this time, i was gone almost a week, and honestly didn't want to go. i could have easily stayed another few days. i took sam with me, and he was pretty good on the flight there even with being diagnosed with 2 ear infections the friday before. on the way back however, it was a completely different story. he pretty much cried and screamed the whole flight back. i took him to the dr. on monday for his 15 month check up and he still had an ear infection in his right ear. no wonder. i felt horrible. last night we had a long one with now gooey puffy eyes, 101 temp, nasty nose and cough, and sore legs from his shots on monday. he seems to be feeling a bit better this morning...thank goodness.

anyway, here are some pics.