2011. Fear Not.

So many bloggers are posting lists to say goodbye to 2010. I knew I wanted to do something to celebrate and mark the new year, and I found a list I really liked. I borrowed it from Michael Hyatt.

2011. Fear not.

1. If the last year were a movie of your life, what would the genre be? Drama, romance, adventure, comedy, tragedy, or a combination?
   • A comedic drama. Too many weird, unbelievable things happened alongside the really cool things. We were struggling and then laughing. I'm grateful for the laughter. It was like M.A.S.H.
2. What were the two or three major themes that kept recurring? These can be single words or phrases.
   • Discovering potential. This seemed to touch each one of our family members this year.
   • Time, the spending and passing of it.
   • Overcoming lost innocence. That sounds a little mellow-dramatic, but where I used to think most people tried to see the best of everyone, I now know differently. I'm still going to try seeing the best. I'll just be more wary.
3. What did you accomplish this past year that you are the most proud of? These can be in any area of your life—spiritual, relational, vocational, physical, etc. Be as specific as possible.
   • My second book was accepted by Covenant Communications. Woohoo!
   • I drove to Provo, UT for a writers conference and navigated around all by myself.
   • I submitted one more book and have another just about ready to go.
   • My kids all seem to be in a pretty good place. Praying we continue in that somewhat steady course.
4. What disappointments or regrets did you experience this past year?
   • I had to turn down attending the Storymakers writing conference AND presenting at the Whitney Awards Gala. But it was for a really great reason!
   • The release date on my first novel was pushed back, possibly to 2012. That wasn't very fun.
5. What was missing from last year as you look back? Look at each major area of your life. Don’t focus now on having to do anything about it.
   • More organization in my daily routine. Writing, homemaking, family, personal study.
   • More time spent with my youngest, teaching and developing her sense of self.
   • Date night with my husband. It's just not going to happen regularly while he is both school principal AND our ward bishop.
   • NEW writing! It was all revision and editing.
6. What were the major life-lessons you learned this past year? Boil this down to a few short, pithy statements.
   • Fear not. Isaiah 41:10, 13
   • "The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
   • Dare to dream. Then work.

As I sorted through my thoughts in answering these questions, I came to the conclusion that although 2010 was a trying year, it was also one of tremendous blessings and growth. It is done. I did my best. And honestly, I can't wait to see what this next year will bring. Welcome with open arms, 2011.

What did 2010 teach you?

House Redo After-shots and a Birthday!

First, I'll post a few pictures of the upstairs redo. We have new flooring in the living room, kitchen, dining room, and laundry. I painted the living room a creamy yellow and took the old kitchen color and lightened it up a notch. We really like the changes. The living room was always so dark. Now even when the sun goes down it's warm and sunny. Which is important during our LONG winters. The kitchen is also a bit brighter and we LOVE the new countertops. Okay, enough chit-chat.

Yay!

Now for the birthday boy. Or dog. Brodie will be one year old tomorrow *blows horn*, and we can't get over how much he's grown. So, for those of you who were around when we posted this:

February 14, 2010 Picking up Brodie

I can now post these:

I think both these boys had growth spurts this year!

We love having Brodie in our family. He is totally house-trained now, rings the bell to go outside, nudges us and brings us his stick to play fetch, sits, lies down, jumps up for treat, and will dance with the kids. He is soft and affectionate. We are working on barking at the door and jumping up to people. Not sure we'll master those, but I'm not giving up. His favorite place is still under my writing desk on his pillow. If I close my computer, he is already up and out the door, waiting for me to follow. He loves to travel and has been to the Oregon coast and Rock Springs, WY, where his friend Daisy takes good care of him (they totally roughhouse). He is crazy about snow. He pounces, runs and rolls in the white stuff. Happy Birthday, Brodie! You rock!

Hint Hint

It has been pointed out to me *coughAndycough* that my blog has been lacking. Shame on me! I have already made one New Year's Resolution: TO GIVE MY LITTLE BLOG THE ATTENTION IT LOVES. But I guess SOME PEOPLE can't wait until the New Year. And why should you? After all I have pictures to post and stories to tell and news to share.
Now, if I could just FIND THE TIME. And the usb port for the camera . . . it seems to have drifted off somewhere . . .  a-HA, found it.
Okay, first we have some pictures from the BYU/Wyoming game. It's just me and the girls. The guys had seats elsewhere. It was rainy and fun and worth the trip. Thanks for the tickets, Danny!

 Then, Halloween came and went, and we decided to cram all of our furniture into the dining room for a week.

And THEN, Chelsea had the nerve to turn 18. Oy. And we decided to cram all our furniture into the living room.

 

And because I was cooking and Brandon was entertaining our friends, the Johnstons, we have ABSOLUTELY NO pictures of Thanksgiving! Yay, us! (boo) But we had a great time. We really missed our family, though.
Next post: The "after" photos of our upstairs redo, and Brodie the big black dog!

Kitchen Improvements

Hey, look! It's a new post! Please don't fall over! Sit! Have some water!

Actually, we're having some home improvements done and I wanted to post the pictures. The last 2 days were spent installing new kitchen countertops and a new sink and faucet. There are still a few drippy issues with the pipes and the hot water dispenser isn't working, but we have to wait until Monday. But cosmetically, the kitchen counter re-do is finished! I dug up some "before" pictures, because that's always fun. The floors are next. I've been promised they will be done within in the next 3 weeks! Hooray! More before and after pictures to come!
First, here are some pics before we moved in four years ago (note: I painted the kitchen walls before doing anything else when we moved in. There were stenciled bears and moose. Cute, but not really my style.):

Here is a gorgeous picture of my sis and her hubs when they visited two years ago. See the flaking paint above the sink? We couldn't keep caulk down there. Ugh.

I really love these changes:

I can't wait until the new floors are in! That tiny tile vinyl is OUTTA HERE! And we're getting new stools, too. *happy dance*

Final Days of Summer

The last week before school starts is always a little... well...

Not Just Another Birthday

I've created a bucket list. You know, a list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket. It was a birthday goal of mine, so please go check it out and, if you like, start thinking of your own list.
Get going! And Happy Birthday to me!

Comments From the Car

It is time for another rendition of COMMENTS FROM THE CAR. This year's installment was recorded during our trip from Cody, Wyoming, to the Oregon Coast, roughly a 16 hour trip.


*listening to "Live Like We're Dyin'" by Kris Allen*
B: You can do the Macarena to this.
K: Heeyyyyy!
*Macarena then performed by the adults in the front seats, making the teens in the back squirm uncomfortably*

B (to a very slow camper trailer): This trailer is going 30 miles per hour in a sixty-five. I could moonwalk faster than this guy.

Mare-Bear: (rummaging through the treat box): I want some Bugles.
K: You've eaten too many Sunchips. You're fine.
Mare-Bear: But they're getting crushed. We need to eat them.
K: They're fine.
Minutes later....
Mare-Bear: Can I have some Bugles now?
K: No.
Mare-Bear: Why not?
B: Because sometimes you don't get what you want right when you want it.
K: We're preparing you for life.
B: Life is not a bag of Bugles.
*adults nod and grin, pleased with our lesson*
Minutes later...
Mare-Bear: Can I please have some Bugles? They're getting crushed to bits and pieces... I have a point, you know.

SmileyB: Why did the elephant cross the road?
Chels: How?
SmileyB: Uh... let's try that again. WHY did the elephant...

If you liked these, please see this 2007 Comments From the Car post.

The Drops Add up

When I started this blog... just a little over four years ago... I called it "Glass Half Full" because that's how I naturally tried to see things, all the time. I was born with the madness and despite the best efforts of a couple of teachers, some mean kids, a few boyfriends, a college roommate or two, and hard hits from life in general as I became a real grown-up, the tendency has stuck to me like the dimple in my cheek. I like the dimple. Some genetic mishap from my dad's side caused a point in the fleshy part of my face to stay put when I smile, or when I grimace, rendering me quite harmless looking. And I like being positive about things, looking for the bright side, making the best of things.
Yes, I've had my share of eye rolls in my direction, but the glass half full thing comes in handy when my volleyball team needs a boost instead of a downer, when my teens think it's the end of the world and I have to convince them it's not, when unexpected turns bend our road of life and my husband needs reassurance to offset his perfectionism, when the world around me is collapsing, bringing me down with it. I have a tendency to fight it. Fight it hard.
So, in reflecting on this blog and past entries, and knowing I needed to catch the time to update and post after a very busy few months, I offer you a few glimpses of moments that fill my cup. Half Full, of course.

Great Grandma & Grandpa Jensen's 75th Wedding AnniversaryVisiting Great Grandma & Grandpa AngleseyMe & My SiblingsWe Can't Seem to Shake Mom

And these are just a few drops. Half Full, indeed.