Resolutions

New Year's Eve means that it is time for me to sit down and make a list of all of my new resolutions for the year ahead. This year, however, I think that instead of listing a whole bunch (that I know I won't follow), I will just list one resolution. One that actually means something and will benefit me more than "getting in shape" or "eating healthy," etc.

This year, I am going to build my relationship with God. By going to our amazing church every Sunday, reading my Bible a bit each day and praying, I'll be able to meet my resolution--for the first time ever!

That's it. I think that is really all I need.

Hindsight

There are so many things I wish I could go back and tell my sixteen year old self. I don't have many regrets, but there are definitely words of encouragement and advice that I could have used along the way.

1. Get close to God now. You have no idea how much you will need Him over the years, and loving and knowing Him will help fill that huge void you feel from Mom's death. You will make peace with her death so much sooner if you do this. Listen to Aunt Jayne when she gives you this advice!

2. You will meet your first "love." Enjoy the good times together, but when they start to get bad, move on so you don't waste an extra year and a half of your life trying to salvage something that isn't there. He isn't "the one," anyway. You'll meet your true love in college!

3. Don't stress so much about grocery shopping/cleaning/cooking/taking care of Dad and Traci. Learn to do those things, but make sure Dad and Traci know how to take care of things, too. It will probably make a big difference in Dad's life, and help Traci feel needed. You need to make time to enjoy yourself, too.

4. DO NOT let people tell you that you, Traci and Dad are the reason Mom got sick and died. IT IS NOT TRUE! Don't loose sleep over it. Don't start chewing your lips over it, because you'll never break that habit once you start.

5. Spend more quality time with Dad and Traci. Again, this might alleviate issues that will arise later.

6. Get extra help in Math. I know it's horrible (it will always be horrible), but maybe it will make college a little easier and you won't have to take Math three times to graduate!

7. Don't think you're ugly or unattractive. You are not.

8. Don't think you need to major in English just because Mom, Aunt Linda and Kristin all did. You're good at it, yes, but take the time to really think about what you want to be and what you want to do with yourself. But I hope you still choose to go to Plattsburgh! You will make some of the BEST friends of your life there!

9. Remember everything Mom taught you and told you. She is always right. Listening to those life-lessons will serve you well and make things easier. Make sure to take the time to teach Traci, too.

10. Know that the life you are living will be even more wonderful than you imagined! You'll get through all of the tough times just fine. Only remember the good ones!

After Christmas Shopping

It's the day after Christmas, which means that the world (and the two of us!) are winding down. Even though we were unable to be with our families this year, our Christmas was still wonderful! We ate some delicious food--though I say it myself--got some really great/thoughtful gifts, and even began a new "family" tradition.

I had high hopes this year of getting Bart and myself new winter coats. Ours are 3 and 4 years old and, lets face it, peacoats just do NOT get the job done when you live in Chicago. I thought for sure that we would be able to get some great winter coats at pretty fantastic marked down prices today, you know, because it's the day after Christmas and every store in the world is having sales. But, alas, it is not to be! I have had my eye on a new Northface coat for months now. It's beautiful. Black, removable faux-fur around the hood, down-filled, and to the knee. And you know what? It's STILL $300! Which means that the coat I wanted Bart to get is also STILL $200. Sigh. I guess we are going to be cold for a while more.

In other news, I am also in the market for a new nostril screw. I lost mine on Christmas day when it fell down the drain. And it was the BEST screw I've had, too! It was pronged, so the fake diamond never fell out and it laid flat against my skin instead of sticking up like a big round zit in the way some screws do. I asked my sister to pick me up another (if they still have them) in Saratoga, but in the meantime, I am going to a tattoo parlor out here to see if they have something that will hold me over until the new one comes. So yes, folks, this is going to be my big after Christmas purchase!

O Holy Night

This has always been my favorite Christmas song. It's beautiful, it's powerful and it always reminds me of the real reason we celebrate on this day. Merry Christmas!

O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices

O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night, O night divine

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and his gospel is peace
Chains, shall he break for the slave is our brother
And in his name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy name
Christ is the Lord
Then ever, ever praise we

Noel, noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, noel
O night, O night divine
Noel, noel
O holy night

Photos.

Well, last night I finally uploaded and ordered some pictures from our wedding for Christmas. It's something I have been wanting to do for a while since Carrie captured some really wonderful candids of our families having fun on the day. The only problem was that I had NO idea how to get the photos off of the DVD she sent and onto my computer where I could use them. Bart, thankfully, knows a thing or two about technology, and showed me how to upload. The bad news? It took 4 hours to get the 580 pictures onto my laptop! And guess what? Another 2 to get the uploaded photos uploaded onto mpix.com where I could order them! Lets just say that I watched a lot of TV yesterday.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited about the pictures. I ordered one of me, Dad and Traci to replace the old one of just me and Traci above the mantle in the living room, and I just know he'll love it. He hates getting gifts on Christmas (he'd rather we saved our money), but he always loves the little, thoughtful things. Bart and I are giving Grandma and Grandpa a digital picture frame with a zip drive of alllllll of the pictures on it. That way, they can see them all and print out whatever they want, when they want. I can't give away the rest of the details since some people who read this blog will be recieving pictures!

I can't think what is more wonderful than looking at each and every one of the photos taken on our wedding day. It's so nice to get to relive the day over and over--all the happiness, the tears of joy, the laughs, the love. And tonight we get to look through all of them again! We have to choose our favorite 100 to go into our wedding album that Carrie is making for us. How amazing would it be to have a professional photographer following you around every day? Every wonderful moment would be captured forever!