A View of Lisa's World

Goodbye 2008!

Happy New Year...

Well I did it. 365 days of blogging in 2008. I know there were some cheats, but I did blog before hitting the pillow each night so I think it pretty much counts. It has been a really cool project and I'm so glad to have done it...I feel like this year has been really well documented and it is more satisfying than I thought it would be.

I'm not sure I'm going to promise the same for 2009 (but maybe) It has become kind of a nice little habit.

Speaking of 2009, I am feeling more excited about this next year than I have about a new year in a long time. Usually I end up feeling a little melancholy and overwhelmed with all of the things I want to do better in the new year...but this year I just feel happy and appreciative and hopeful.

There are still plenty of things I want to do better in the new year, but I'm totally ready rather than overwhelmed. I feel like it is going to be a year of big changes and growth in a lot of different ways. Big work moves, updates around the house, and putting myself back on the ole priority list....and I just can't wait.

I think 2008 was kind of a building year. You know like when a football or baseball team knows that they aren't going to win any championships but they are getting their team together and laying the groundwork for successful seasons in the future? That was my 2008....lots of dreams and plans that I'm ready to take to the next level. Of course there were a few tough times that I'd love not to repeat, but there were many, many more smiles than tears, and most of all, the people I love are all safe and sound, and I am grateful to 2008 for that.

So, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy new year...

...look out 2009, here I come!

Does it get any better than this?

Earlier today we were cleaning up the house so that we could embark on the great paint-a-thon tomorrow. We were rushing around and I asked Todd to put my yummy blackberry soap that was part of a gift in my bathroom. As he was heading to the other room he asked "do you need the paper that is on it?" and I said no.

I continued cleaning along and noticed him scurrying back and forth from the kitchen to the bathroom and I thought I saw him poking around in the Christmas candy bucket, which I shooed him out of, but didn't really think anything of it. Soon enough he was back working on cleaning up his room , playing etc.

About an hour later I walked into my bathroom to find this...

There is also a heart drawn on top of the wrapper under the tootsie roll.

Sigh.

do you know what this is?

Depending on who you ask, this is either 8 inches of colorful goodness or a whole lot of work to do on a "vacation"!!

You see, we have been tossing around an updating of Todd's room for quite a while now and since Matt is on vacation until the 5th we might as well jump on it right? So today I had to go to IKEA to get the new bookshelf (which is going to be cool). While I was there I found a new art canvas...which was totally colorful and all of the colors I have/love in my house. I forgot to mention that when we took the tree down I mentioned to Matt that I was itching for a little more color in the living room.

Does anyone see where this is going?

We were planning on two new colors for Todd's room and now we are pulling another new living room color plus expanding a tiny wall of color that is already here.

I'm pretty excited! (I'm not sure that Matt is but he is doing a really great job of playing along!)

After my third trip to the hardware store to gather yet another handful of color options the kind boys behind the counter loaned me the whole dang fan deck. Woo Hoo....I think we've settled on some fruity colors.

More soon!

big things and little things...

Yesterday I woke up feeling like crap, but decided I was well enough to make it to the Walking with Dinosaurs show we had ridiculously expensive tickets to. We did end up having front row seats, and Todd thought it was "totally awesome!" It was cool, not sure it was worth the price of admission, but still cool. I was most happy that I didn't throw up until after we got home (there were a few moments that had me worried!).

The rest of yesterday is a blur of naps and sickness.

Today was pretty much hang out and recover day and my boys helped me get the tree down and out, which was an amazing boost to my mood.

But this afternoon we took a ride to see something little. Very little. Two weeks old little.

Oooh so cute. Todd thought they were even more awesome than the dinosaurs! They are just starting to open their eyes and stumble around a little. I got to hold the one little girl that we are hoping to bring home with us...but lets be honest...the boys were dang cute too.

argh...

after coughing for what seems like forever, I now apparently have a stomach bug...talk about insult to injury...hoping to be back to life tomorrow.

holiday report...

Whew...what a fun few days! Lots of laughing, family and really yummy food. I'm kind of in the after holiday zone now. I always love this week in between Christmas and New Year's...it is all about preparing for the new year. So many things I want to get done before the 5th it is a little overwhelming.

First though, some photos from the holiday. Somehow my Grandmother ended up being in quite a few of my favorites.

This one being top of the list.

 

I think that is one of my favorite photos ever now that I look at it again.

This holiday was also filled with lots of old stories and laughing, which I just loved.

My Grandparents had a very cool historical book about our town filled with photos and great information. I think at one point during the holiday each of us grandkids hung out with one of them looking through the pages and hearing their stories about the photos inside. I am thinking it would be great to go through it with them and record their voices and their stories.

Speaking of recording things, my grandparents are not sold on the TIVO they got from my parents. (but that is another story)

Todd however was very happy with his presents from Santa (and from everyone else).

A skateboard and a pogo stick. Turns out that Santa didn't know much about skateboards and got the wrong thing. This was discovered when Todd and Daddy took his new ride to the skate park today and were informed by several "skaters" that it was all wrong. They went to the skate shop and got the right thing. Go Santa.

He's loving it though...and getting the hang of it pretty quickly.

 

 

 

Tomorrow we are off to see some dinosaurs. I'll let you know how it goes!

Christmas wishes...

Santa spoiled me, and as usual the day (and night) with family was wonderful. Too tired for a full report and photos tonight. Hopefully tomorrow, if we survive the after Christmas sales (I can't believe we are going). I hope your holidays were fabulous!

Merry Merry....

Christmas...

I'll be back....

with a Christmas Eve report, but I was taking a little break to check on Santa's progress and Matt was telling me about a moving poem he heard on the radio today.

I checked it out and before I could continue on preparing for the holiday, I had to stop in my tracks and post this. Matt was right, this is so very moving, and such an important message this holiday (and always).

Thank you never seems enough to say to our troops and their families, especially at Christmas. But I hope that we will all take a moment to say it again today anyway.

Thank you

 

Its not that I don't get it....

First of all...thank you all so much for the well wishes for Huck. He is completely back to his old self and I couldn't be happier. It was so nice today to have to shoo him out of the kitchen. He's been getting lots of extra lovins and I think we've both been reminded after so many years together just how lucky we are.

Now about that blog title. It is not that I don't get it. You see, it was holiday movie night at the Bettencourt's and the fact that I have never seen the Christmas Story movie from start to finish was something Moriah felt the need to rectify. She made me feel like I was really missing something. I think I disappointed her that I didn't laugh my head off...but I just couldn't. 

I got it. I just didn't think it was that funny.

Sorry!!

Ok...off to the major wrapathon tonight. I'm so lucky that my sweet and adorable husband is going to help me out!