Thanks to everyone who sent their love and well wishes- it has been a wonderful day! I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such loving, supportive people! Truly you have made this day special for me.

I have just one birthday wish this year...

To host a huge "thank you" party for every person that has ever blessed my life. And of course, YOU would be invited! I would have the party somewhere with a breathtakingly beautiful view of the mountains and the sea. I would cater the best Italian food I could find. I would have a wrapped gift for each person- one that I pick out myself especially for that person and a personalized card. There would be plenty of time to talk and lots of big comfy sofas to relax in while catching up with everyone. There would be live music and great dancing and fresh flowers and perfect weather and mouthwatering deserts... that is my birthday wish.

I am not sure it will happen in 2010 (okay, I am sure it won't) but when it does I hope you'll be there!

I discovered a great new blog that is definitely worth checking out if you love authentic Italian food. The blog is called Agio, Olio, e Peperoncino (which translated means, garlic, oil and peppers. The blog is written by a southern Italian woman and contains beautiful pictures and recipes of her amazing Italian food. If you want a taste of Italy (literally) check out this blog.


I made this and it was to die for. Honestly, even Ross tried it and kind of liked it. Tonight we are making her pizza. Yumm, I can't wait!

As a general rule to try to refrain from sharing information that might be too weird BUT I could not resist sharing with you a dream I had last night. Please, if some one can interpret this one for me (Jen I am counting on you for this one)- I'd love to know.

Okay, so Mom and Jen and I were shopping (that is not the weird part, hang on it is coming) and we come across this singing, dancing dog for sale (yes, you read that right, a singing, dancing dog)! Mom and Jen passed it right by but I thought it was cool (though I can't imagine why since I am only mildly into singing and not into dancing or dogs at all) and made them come back and watch with me. While we were watching the dog, Dad walked up and started watching too- he was highly entertained.

Then (and this is the weirdest part) I told Mom and Dad that they should buy the dog since Dad was retiring and they would need something to do...AND THEY DID! They bought the singing dancing dog- MOM and DAD of all people! It was hilarious.

Well, hilarious and... disturbing. I mean, lets be honest, I am no newcomer to strange dreams but this one has really thrown me for a loop. I am not sure what to make of it. All I know if when I told Robert about it this morning he burst out laughing. Perhaps it was just my brain trying to add a little humor to my life.

Did I mention the dog was a little brown Dautson that they named "Dude"? It would have been a very sweet dream if it hadn't been to strange!

Last night the boys and I eat dinner and got ready for bed early so we could watch an Episode of the Cosby Show. I have mentioned in previous posts that we are always on the look out for quality entertainment that both parent and child can enjoy and I must say the Cosby Show fits the bill. It is hilarious!

In any case, we were watching an episode where the Cosby's teenage son Theo comes home with five D's on his report card. (the subject had Spencer's full attention) After receiving a big lecture on the need for being careful and planning for the future (something Spencer hears from me on a daily basis), Theo gives this great soliloquy (do those even exist in sit-coms?) about wanting to be loved for who he is and for doing his very best; even when his best doesn't measure up. It was a rather moving moment, and it was follow by a big pause. In which Spencer declare with enthusiasm, "That was a great speech! I am going to use it from now on with you Mom."

I was about to make some smart remark but Bill Cosby beat me to it. He said, "Son... that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard!" It was a funny line and of course, it was perfectly delivered. But the funniest part (the part that still makes me chuckle) was the look on Spencer's face when the words registered in his brain. He was shocked, yet he saw the humor in it and laughed out loud.

Anyway, Spencer may have a new speech for me but I've got a great retort. And I have discovered it is applicable to other circumstances with a similar effect! Oh, the lessons we learn when we watch the Cosby Show!

During seminary this morning Ross came down stairs and said, "Mom I have a surprise for everyone up stairs". I told him we would all come and see it when we were done with our lesson. He waited patiently on the stairs for us to finish. When we were done I went upstairs and he lead me into the kitchen where I found 7 plates of toast- one for each person. Each plate had two pieces of buttered and jammed toast.

Isn't that sweet? I thought so.

Thanks for being such a thoughtful guy Ross; we love you!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

• Accepted the role of Music Director for a local theatrical group.
• Spent EVERY single day of August at the pool.
• Home schooled a 5th grader.
• Coached Basketball.
• Had a Christmas Caroling Party.
  

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I actually didn't make any last year, so... I guess I did! I have many for 2010.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not this year.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Courage to try new things even if it means failing to do them well.

6. What countries did you visit?
Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and France.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why:
January 30th because I entered the thirty-something age group. A place I imagined would feel much different than it does.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Well, I am not sure. I guess when you don't aim high (see the answer to question 2)- you don't accomplish much.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Loosing hope that all things will work out the way they should.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing significant. Wow, I feel blessed!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Oh, that is a tough one... today I am going to say my new "shade" undershirts- I love them!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Spencer for his success and contentment in school.
Robert for his advancement at work.
Ross for making everyday fun.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Hum, I can't say.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Car repairs- aarrrggg!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The prospect of buying a house near family and spending the summers together.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Faultless by Hillary Weeks

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier
ii. thinner or fatter? Shoot- do I have to answer that one?
iii. richer or poorer? Richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent more time with my family.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying about things I can't change.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With family, yeah!

21. Name one random thing that people would be surprised to know about you.
I ate my first M&M is over 10 years at a Christmas party in 2009 and fell in love. Why didn't anyone tell me M&M's were so darn good!

22. Did you fall in love in 2009.
Of course.

23. How many one-night stands?
Ha-ha-ha!

24. What was your favorite TV program?
I have no idea!

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Of course not, how ridiculous!

26. What was the best book you read?
That is a tough one. I loved rereading Gifts from the Sea by Anne Lindbergh. I enjoyed reading the Percy Jackson series with the boys. I loved the WWII series I read. In fact, I don't think I read a book I didn't like in 2009.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That Ross LOVES music and has a real desire to play the piano. I am thrilled for him because I know music has the potential to bring him lots of joy.

28. What did you want and get?
I know there is a less materialistic answer but in the interest of time- a circuit machine (and yes, I do love it!)

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Yikes- I have no idea. I can't even remember the last movie I saw that was not animated. Oh wait, I know the Christmas Card. It was an incredibly sweet, feel good movie.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31 in 2009. I spend the day with friends, shopping and going to lunch.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Just one thing... more quality time with Robert. Lets hope he is home a little more in 2010.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Well, I am not sure what anyone else thinks but I would like to believe my personal fashion statement for 2009 was modern classy (with a twist). Ha, that makes me laugh!

34. What kept you sane?
Hum, the question suggests that I actually was sane at some point in 2009 and well, I am not sure I can make such a claim!

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I honestly don't know.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
All of them- I am in complete political turmoil! Education, Health care, Foreign policy, Domestic policy, Military efforts throughout the world- it is enough to make my head spin.

37. Whom did you miss?
The Stewart's, the Mattson's, the Wadsworth's, the Smith's...

38. Who was the best new person you met?
There are too many to name just one. I guess that is still one of my favorite thing about being in the Military- meeting a lifetime of fantastic people every where I live.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
I have learned that it is never too late to change and that dreams really do matter!