2011 is here!!!!!

It's a new year!! I am really looking forward to 2011! Good things are going to happen:-) I wrote my 2011 resolutions...sealed em up and stored them away until next year. There are a few typical things on there....and a few new things for me:-) I have been doing a lot of soul searching recently and have learned a lot about myself...and thing I need to change. Life is too short! Joel and I also wrote "marriage resolutions". Why not right? There are always things that could be done better!

I look forward to another great year with my family and friends. I am excited about what this year will bring! I have learned over the years to really embrace life! You only get once chance at it!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME 2011

2010 New Year Resolutions

Another year has come and gone. Time flies by!!! Last year I put my 2010 resolutions in an envelope and placed it in my desk drawer and never looked back throughout the whole year. I opened it recently and was very pleased that I have actually followed through with a few of my resolutions. Did I do all of them? NOPE! But I can honestly say that I usually don't do ANY of them.

I think it's fun to open what you had written down a year ago and see if you did any of the things that a year ago you though were so important:-)

Here is what I wrote down. I know that some of them seem silly...buy hey....that's what was on my mind at the time.

Lose 15 pounds
Quit smoking
Quit picking fingers
Buy better clothes
Exercise 3-4 times a week
Build photography business
Work on credit
Cook lots
Build relationship with kids and Joel
Save money

Ok, this what those meant and how I did on them:-)

Lose 15 pounds - Why would I put lose weight and quick smoking on the same thing??? Duh Kenzey.....Ok, so I didn't lose 15 pounds...I actually gained about 20 pounds this year...OMG!
Quit smoking - I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have had this resolution FOREVER...and I FINALLY DID IT!!!!!!!! So proud of myself!
Quit picking fingers - This might sound a little silly....but I had a horrible habit of picking the skin around my fingers. I have done it since I was about 13 years old...and it made my fingers so ugly:-( I QUIT PICKING THEM!!!!!! My hands are so much prettier now:-)
Buy better clothes - I worked on this throughout the year. I am HORRIBLE at shopping...hate it...but I am getting better:-)
Exercise 3-4 times a week - I am getting better at this too...but have work to do
Build photography business - Haven't had the time to work on this as much as I would like to
Work on credit - Yes! Finally....our credit is good:-) Took long enough....but it's worth it!
Cook lots - YES! I have been a cooking fool!!!
Build relationship with kids and Joel - Yes! All of the relationships between our blended family have grown a lot and I look forward to many more years together as a family:-) I am a very lucky woman:-)
Save money - Haven't quite mastered this yet....but plan to work on it more this year!

Soooo...that's how I did...not bad! How did you do? I will write out my 2011 resolutions tonight....keep them put away....and see how I do once again:-)

Good Changes for 2011!

I currently work for a Christian Radio Rep Firm. I have been with this company for going on 5 years and really like what I do. I started out as a Sales Assistant in 2006. I was promoted to Office Manager/Sales Assistant in 2008. Just recently I was offered a new position within radio as the Research Director. This is so exciting for me. I have done administrative/assistant work for years and have been looking for a new avenue of work. This is my opportunity to learn a whole new side of radio and I am pumped!!! What a great way to start the year. Because I will not be assisting sellers anymore this opportunity is also allowing me to work from home some. I will be in the office 2 days a week and working from home 3 days a week. Since Joel and I bought a house close to his children my drive to work has been much longer. I was having to drop Thomas off at school before they even opened so that I could make it to work on time. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make...but when this opportunity opened up for me I was so excited! This will allow me to save money on gas and wear and tear on my car and will also allow me to spend more time with my family which is the MOST important thing in my life! I am truly a blessed woman and I am looking forward to my new adventure in 2011!! It's going to be a great year! I can feel it:-)

The Hunger Games...Well..Sort of...

Here is another video that Thomas and Allison did together! They have so much fun together:-)

The Hunger Games- Katniss And Rue

Thomas and his girlfriend Allison and their friend did this video. It's related to "The Hunger Games" book series. FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!!!!

Christmas in Utah 2010

It was a great vacation. We did lots of fun stuff! We took a sleigh ride to pick out the Christmas tree....watched movies....ate lots of good food...took naps...read books....everyone did LOTS of skiing except me...I don't like to ski....played in the snow.....talked....enjoyed nice warm tea...and fires....saw elk out in the snow....and most importantly spent great family time together!! It was a beautiful Christmas. Just another reminder of how blessed I am to have such a loving family! I am looking forward to a great 2011!! Lots of big changes this year:-)

Here are some pictures from our trip!

Power Thought of the Day

My home is a peaceful haven

I bless my home with love. I put love in every corner, and my home lovingly responds with warmth and comfort. I am at peace.

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LOVE this one....I truly feel this way in my new home. It's just PERFECT!

Weekly Goals 12/27/10

Well, this is the last week before a new year begins!! I am going to take this week to get back into the groove before making any big changes. I have truly enjoyed my vacation. I have eaten everything I want....not worked out once...taken naps...and read a lot! It has been wonderful!! But everything good must come to an end:-) lol. This week I will focus on going in the right direction!

1. Watch carb intake and sugar intake
2. Yoga/Walk 3-4 times this week
3. Lots of water!
4. Vitamins
5. Work on Thomas's room
6. At least 8 hours of sleep
7. Work on prayer box
8. Cook lower carb dinners
9. No eating out
10. Snack healthy

Merry Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

This morning we all got up and had blueberry pancakes for breakfast! We gave each of the kids a stocking filled with small things. They had to have something on Christmas morning even though we already celebrated Christmas with them in Dallas:-)

Peter, Joel, Haley and Brenden hit the slopes...and Mama, me and Thomas spent the day together. We went into town and watched the movie "Little Fockers". It was funny...and the popcorn, hot dog, nachos and cherry icee that went with the movie was good too!! Yep, I went all out! Merry Christmas to me!!!!!

We are all at home chillin' now. Supper is almost ready...then we will chill for the night and get all packed up for the trip home tomorrow.

It has been a beautiful Christmas vacation with people I love the most. I will be glad to get home and back into my routine though. I sure do miss my Bella girl!! She is going to be soooo happy to see her Mama and Daddy! I am going to give her a big ole' treat and take her on a loooong walk!!!

I hope that you all had a beautiful Christmas!

Ytah Vacation Day 3-4

The last few days have been great. I am in a better mood...thank goodness. Yesterday Joel took all of the kids skiing by himself and me and Mama spent the day together. I was nervous about Joel being with the kids all day by himself...but it turned out great! They all had a wonderful time together and I think it was good bonding time with the kids for Joel:-)

Me and Mama spent the day shopping at Costco. I love trying all of the samples:-) Then we went to the Rooster for lunch. It's a little place downtown that has great food! I have a pear salad with salmon....yum! I decided to have a healthy lunch since I have been eating so bad this week!

Then Mama and I went home and started getting dinner ready while the kids were headed home. I spent more time today reading my book and relaxing as well! It was a good day!

Then today Joel and I are spending the day together while the kids go skiing with Nana and Sir. We decided to go out and do a little shopping for a few small things for the kids since tomorrow is Christmas. We already did Christmas with them at home but want them to have a few small things to open on Christmas morning:-) Then we stopped downtown and had lunch together. Now we are back at the house enjoying some quiet time before everyone comes down off the slopes!

It's been a great vacation. I sure do miss my sweet girl Bella...I can't wait to get home and give her a big kiss!!!

Utah Vacation Day 2:-)

We arrived in Utah yesterday morning....I have to admit...I wasn't in the best of mood. I am not sure what my problem is. I enjoy coming up to spend some time in the mountains...but I am really a summer girl...not a winter girl. Maybe that is my problem. I know the kids really love coming up though!! So you do what your kids want. The day will come that the kids will be grown and I will be laying on the beach for X-Mas!!!

Yesterday we went to the store and grabbed a few things to eat. Mama, Joel and the kids all went to get their ski equipment. I didn't go...I stayed at the house and read my book and did everything I could to stay warm. Brrr...it's cold up here!!! I DON'T like being cold.

The got back and we enjoyed dinner together (tacos) then watched a movie and hit the sack.

Today has been a little better:-) I am in a better mood...still not 100% though...not sure what my problem is. So I decided to let everyone go skiing and I decided to stay home and have some "me time". Maybe that will help get me in a better mood. I took a hot shower...got some laundry going...cleaned up the kitchen from breakfast....put some boots on and a jacket and went outside and enjoyed the snow for a little bet. Not too long because it's too damn cold!! It sure is beautiful here though! I am taking pics and will post them once I get back to Dallas. I didn't bring my camera cord...forgot.

I am sure the kids, Joel and Mama are having a blast skiing! I have had a pretty good day so far! I am about to cuddle up with my book for a little while and then make myself a nice light lunch:-)

We are all going out for Pizza tonight to a great pizza place here locally. I am looking forward to getting out for a bit!

I am determined to stay in a better mood for the rest of my vacation:-) I am out of my comfort zone I guess:-) I like being at home...but am starting to enjoy my vacation up here in the snow covered mountains!!!

Merry Christmas everyone:-)

Something Borrowed.....

So, I have been reading the book "Something Blue" and a girl I work with asked me. "How did you like something borrowed?"...I was like huh? She said that "Something Blue" is the second book in a series of 3 books. LOL. I had NO IDEA! The second book still makes perfect since...you just don't have the full history of Darcy, Rachel and Dex. So...I decided to get the first book...and start reading it...then I will continue with the second. It's kind of cool that I already know part of the second book...and I am sure that reading the first book will make my feelings about what is going on in the second book totally different:-)

More little winter projects:-) Brenden's room

We have been working on Brenden's room a little. He wasn't sure how he wanted it set up but I know that two of his favorite things in life right now are football and skateboarding....sooo...I put the two together and his room is starting to look pretty cool! I still want to do a few more things...new comforter for his beds...a new night stand....and some better storage in his closet...then he will be all set!

My Mom got him this really cool mural for X-Mas...It almost takes up the whole wall. The picture really does it no justice...it looks cool!

Then for the skate board wall...I posted a "want" ad on craigslist to see if someone had old skateboards that they didn't want...and I couldn't believe it...but just a few days later a guy emailed me saying he had a bunch of them...but they were all broken in half. I said that was PERFECT!!! So, I hung them all up on his wall and he put some skating stickers on the and on the wall. I think it looks really neat:-)

X-Mas in our new home:-)

I just adore our new home! I can't wait to spend many many more holiday's, birthdays, parties etc...here:-) It takes year to get a home just the way you like it. That it were all the fun comes in. This is our first year to have a Christmas tree and a few little decorations. Yes, it's a real tree. They are a pain in the ass sometimes...but I love the way they smell...and it just wouldn't be Christmas without a real tree right??? I am sure I will do more decorations as the years go by and I look forward to it. The Santa cookie jar is something Thomas made me a few years back...I just LOVE it:-)

Merry Christmas everyone!!!! I hope your Christmas is everything you want it to be:-)

Winter.....

I am NOT a winter person....it's not only the cold that I don't like....I don't like having to bundle up to go outside. I like flip flops and tank tops! Christmas is a beautiful holiday and great time to be with your family...but lets face it. It's also the biggest MONEY PIT EVER! Ugh!

Winter is also the time that I spend cleaning out and reorganizing my house. It's too cold outside to do anything else...so why not??

Today Thomas left to drive up to Utah with his Nana. I went straight to his bedroom this morning to start my "cleaning out" process. Yes, Thomas cleans his room...but he is also 14:-) Do you think he ever actually "cleans out" his room? I think NOT!

I managed to come up with a HUGE goodwill pile! Too bad Brenden isn't a little bigger...he would have some awesome hand me downs. I use to love getting my older sisters clothes when she out grew them:-)

I plan on finding a way to re-organize Thomas's room while he is out of town so he can come home to an organized room that will allow him to be able to do his homework in enough space that he is comfortable. There just has to be a better way to rearrange his room...and I will find it!

Here is a picture of what his room looks like now....it's a mess (go figure) and as you can see there just isn't enough room. He doesn't even have room for a desk. The wallpaper was there when we moved in. We plan to do something different soon...but haven't been able to just yet:-) It's not a small room...he just has a lot of "stuff"...wonder what I will come up with!

I will post the after picture in a few weeks!

I am also going to work on the kids "play-room". It's a really cool room that is upstairs and it's all theirs! I have LOTS of movie posters that I get from work. I think I am going to incorporate them into the design of the play-room. It looks a little boring right now. I will post pictures of it later. Here is a before picture though:-)

Weekly Goals 12-13-10

I am feeling great!! I am slowly but surely getting back on track with working out! I haven't smoked in over 6 months now!!! WHOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO! I gained a little weight after I quit...but that's ok, I am going to shed it off soon enough. I just need to eat my way through Christmas then I will be back on track:-) I am going to be looking good next summer! Watch out! I am going to continue focusing mostly on my portion control...drinking lots of water....getting plenty of sleep.... and eating healthy:-) Once I get back from the holidays I will start making weekly goals again:-) It sure does feel good to meet all of my goals every week! I know...I am a total dork,,,but it's what I like to do!!

Oh...one goal this week. NO PEPPERMINT MOCHAS.....NOT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG...they are sooo goooood! Grande 360 whopping calories...oh so sad:-(

Have a great week everyone:-)

Thank HEALTHY!

Prayer Box

I find myself praying more then I ever have before. I pray for my family, myself...and people I don't even know. Does it work?? Who knows?? But I look at it this way. You will never know if you don't try:-) More then anything it makes me feel better.....and it makes me feel like I am doing the right thing by at least trying. There are moments where I am stuck...and not sure how to handle situations. I choose to pray about them...and hope they get better...or hope that I choose the best way to deal with them.

I made my Mom a prayer box a while back. Not long ago I was at her house and I peeked inside the box. I didn't read any if the prayers...but was surprised to see LOTS of prayers in her box. I wonder if some of them were for me? I wonder what she prays about??

I decided to make myself a prayer box. My Mom gave me a candle that came in a really cool box...it's a perfect prayer box. This is the first side of it. I will decorate each side with a different word. One being Pray (duh)...and the others will say...dream....live....love. I truly feel you can live a very fulfilling life using those 4 words...pray about things you can't change....live like you have one day left in life.....love everyone and anyone no matter how they have treated you or choices they have made....and dream big, really big!

I will pot more pics once I am done with each side of the box...then I will start filling it up!

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I have been working on my prayer box and have completed another side of it. It's coming along great! I am excited:-) Here is the second side!

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"

Thomas had his first performance last night at school. He played the roll of the father in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". He was so excited and nervous at the same time! They worked so hard and spent long hours preparing for this performance. All of the hard work sure did pay off and I enjoyed every second of it!!!! Thomas, along with the rest of the cast did an amazing job...really amazing! Thomas has a great passion for theater and it sure did show last night! He was really nervous...but as soon as he stepped on stage you couldn't even tell. I look forward to watching Thomas grow in his acting.....he is awesome! Here are a few shots after the play...and a clip from the performance:-)

Christmas is almost here!!

This will be our first winter in our new house. It's weird to still have to take care of pool when no one is using it:-) We decided to put what lights we had on the house and not go all out and buy new stuff. We really didn't think we would have enough since this house is bigger then the one we use to live in....but they turned out beautiful! Things like this is what makes a home a home:-) Joel did such a great job on the house! I really hope we get some snow this winter!! We don't usually get a lot here in Texas...but you never know! Last year we had record levels of snow:-)

Weekly Goals 12-6-10

A guy I work with is helping me put together a work out routine that will work for me:-) We talk about health stuff all the time...and he has helped me learn a lot about food and exercising. I am eager to try some of his ideas and see how they work. I am going to start the workout plan that he suggested tomorrow and see how I like it!! The hardest part for me...like most of us I believe...is staying motivated. So, I asked my co-worker to stay on me....bug me about it all the time!!!! My only goal this week will be to complete this workout program fully...and eat well. Of course I also have TONS of stuff to do this week....but those aren't goals...just life:-) Fingers crossed!! I am keeping a spreadsheet of my progress...and will post it weekly!!!

Weekly Goal Results 11-29-10

1. Workout 4 times this week...Yoga, P90X or walking:-) - Almost...but not quite:-(
2. Drink LOTS of water - YES!!!
3. Get at least 8 hours of sleep EVERY night! - YES!
4. Portion control - bigger portions of HEALTHY and smaller portions of BAD - Did really well this week:-)
5. EDIT EDIT EDIT!!! - I have been an editing fool!
6. Christmas Decorations!! - Almost done!
7. NO EATING OUT!!! No exceptions...it's HORRIBLE for you! - NOT ONCE!!!
8. NO extra spending...save money:-) - None...we are on track this week!
9. Take vitamins DAILY!! - I forgot a few times:-(
10. Prayer Box - Haven't started on it...but hope to this week!

Something Blue - Emily Giffin

Ok...so a friend of mine gave me this book a trillion years ago and I am just now getting around to reading it. I started it a while back....but then put it down and never picked it back up. I have since started reading it again and am really enjoying it!

It's just the type of book I need right now....a little drama...romance....and what seems to be a great story so far! Below is the synopsis.....I will let you know what I think of it once I finish:-)



Synopsis
From the New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin comes a novel that shows how someone with a "perfect life" can lose it all—and then find everything.
"Warm and engaging; readers will find themselves cheering for Darcy as she proves people can change in this captivating tale." -Booklist (starred review)
Darcy Rhone thought she had it all figured out: the more beautiful the girl, the more charmed her life. Never mind substance. Never mind playing by the rules. Never mind karma.
But Darcy's neat, perfect world turns upside down when her best friend, Rachel White, the plain-Jane "good girl," steals her fiancé, while Darcy finds herself completely alone for the first time in her life…with a baby on the way.
Darcy tries to recover, fleeing to her childhood friend living in London and resorting to her tried-and-true methods for getting what she wants. But as she attempts to recreate her glamorous life on a new continent, Darcy finds that her rules no longer apply. It is only then that Darcy can begin her journey toward self-awareness, forgiveness, and motherhood.
Something Blue is a novel about one woman's surprising discoveries about the true meaning of friendship, love, and happily-ever-after. It's a novel for anyone who has ever, even secretly, wondered if the last thing you want is really the one thing you need.

Power Thought for the Day

I see clearly
I willingly forgive, I breathe love into my vision, and I see with compassion and understanding. My clear insight is reflected in my outer sight.

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Isn't this the truth!! There is no better way to live! Live it through love:-)

Weekly Goals 11-29-10

Ok, Thanksgiving is OVER...time to whip myself back into a routine...until Christmas anyway...lol! I had a beautiful Thanksgiving with wonderful family and friends:-) I hope you all did as well! These are the goals I have set for myself this week. I CAN DO THIS!!! You can even surpass these goals this week and do MORE!!!

1. Workout 4 times this week...Yoga, P90X or walking:-)
2. Drink LOTS of water
3. Get at least 8 hours of sleep EVERY night!
4. Portion control - bigger portions of HEALTHY and smaller portions of BAD
5. EDIT EDIT EDIT!!!
6. Christmas Decorations!!
7. NO EATING OUT!!! No exceptions...it's HORRIBLE for you!
8. NO extra spending...save money:-)
9. Take vitamins DAILY!!
10. Prayer Box