He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.

Happy New Year!

2009, what an exciting time! And boy am I glad that I don't have to write 2008 anymore. For some reason, I don't like writing the number eight. Strange, I know! Well, this is the normal time to make resolutions for the upcoming year...My last few resolutions haven't worked out very well. Of course, it's always had to do with getting pregnant or finishing up adoption paperwork(which is very time consuming!) And those things are very much out of my control. =) But this year I think it is safe to say that I have picked something that the general population has also picked! I think I'm going to try to lose about 20lbs. I know Matt is also trying to lose some weight. (We had been kinda lazy last year) You know, the whole eat super healthy, exercise everyday, never be lazy resolution. And I have to say that I might actually agree with F.M. Knowles when he said, "He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool". Fool I may be, but I'm still going to try. =)

Well, whoever you are and where ever you may be we, hope that you can find comfort, happiness, knowledge, and whatever(or whoever) you are looking for in 2009! And like Matt always says, Don't sweat the small stuff!

Christmas is not a date, it is a state of mind.

Well, Thanksgiving was a complete hit! We had way too much food, which is the only way to go on Thanksgiving! Two of my cousins and their families came over for the big feast. It was great to have family there. And it was so fulfilling to have a bunch of kids running around the house.

Christmas is getting closer. We're almost done with our Christmas shopping. I have to get Matt's present, and I have to buy Matt's gift for me! At least he's honest when it comes to the fact that he has no idea what I want/need in a jewelry box and allows me to get it myself! lol I love him! We have all the gifts for the rest of the family. I'd list them off but I'm sure they are reading this! Everything is labeled and mailed off. Hopefully they get it in time! I love this time of year...

We sign the lease on our new apartment on Monday. We can't wait! Candace, my cousin, came over and helped me start packing. We got a lot done! But there's still some left to do. The bathroom, all our clothes and bedding, and half the kitchen. That's of course not including large items like the tv or computer stuff! But we have a whole week to move stuff into the new place! This is the first move that I actually am excited about moving boxes from point A to point B. I'm hoping for a stress free move. So far so good... I think I'm even going to paint the new place! I will be taking tons of pictures...and of course posting them! So, keep your eyes open!

What's Up Doc?

Wow! Well, I have definitely fallen behind! So what have we been up to that has kept us away from the wonderful world of blogging?

Everything! lol

It is the beginning of the holiday season and my(Courtney) work has been swamped! Today we had 50 appointments on the books...in just 7 short hours!!!! It's crazy busy...and I love it! And then outside of work, I've been prepping for Thanksgiving. We are hosting dinner at our apartment this year. I'm making the turkey, potatoes, and desserts. And my cousin is making all the veggies and rolls! I still have to clean the house sometime this week....yikes! Plus, we're getting ready to move soon. Found a new apartment with some great amenities...fireplace, our own washer and dryer, and tons of fitness classes. We're really excited about it! Moving day is Mid December. Matt has been busying flying here and there. He actually was able to come home for a few extra days after a big trip! It's so nice when he's home.

We're spending a lot of our time focused on finishing up our adoption paperwork. Most is done....just waiting on a few things to come back! I know that I'm very excited about the whole process. I think we are going to be good parents. And honestly, I'm a little nervous...I get to play with children all day almost everyday at work. But when we actually have a child of our own...it isn't just making them smile and laugh...it's teaching them right from wrong. Teaching them how to be truly happy... Teaching them everything they'll need to know to fight against the powers of Satan. That's a big responsibility...and it's kind of scary! I believe that Heavenly Father trusts us with his precious spirit children. And I know with His help, we'll be able to get them back to Him.

Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one

Who was your childhood hero? Who is your hero now?

Courtney: I don't really remember having one hero growing up. I looked up to a lot of people. I wanted to be just like my cousin Jamie for a long time. She was so cool, and pretty, and had a lot of friends. I, of course, was envious. I looked(and still do) up to my Grandma H. We have so much in common, and she was always there to encourage me to be the best I could be. In the cartoon world, Raphael from The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle could rescue me anytime. And I fell in love with Robin Hood at a very young age. So I think I had it all...a person to imitate, a person to grow up to be, and two dashing heroes for when I became a damsel in distress. =)

And now...

Now, my hero is my younger sister! She is amazing...her strength is inspiring. She has a huge heart with a giant desire to love the people around her. And she has courage to stand up for what she knows is right, and forgive those who have hurt her. I endeavor to be like her.

Matt: During my younger years my hero was Luke Skywalker form the movie Star Wars. As it tells a story of a young man who it comes from humble situations, and rises up to help lead the rebel rebellion. I thought that I could become like that.

and now

Rush Limbaugh, as he helps keep me informed on all the liberal media hype, and lets me know that I am not alone in my conservative ideas.

I'm not nervous. Well, maybe I was a bit...concerned but that's not the same thing.

What do you do when you get nervous?

Courtney: I call my mom and dad. Or any member of my family that will actually answer the phone! I talk about what's going on with my parents. With my siblings, I talk about silly and random things, teasing them, and goofing off with them. And while I talk, I pace...Up and down the hall, around the kitchen, I have to be moving. And when in a situation where pacing is not the best idea, I fidget. I have to have something in my hand that I can play with. Like a rubber band, or a pen, or clothing. Movement, in any form, is my coping mechanism. I have to be doing something.

Matt: I get scared and embarrassed that I have already made too many mistakes and that I have failed , like when interviewing for a new job or taking my 6 Mo check ride..my job is on the line. I just want to get away from the situation, or the people that I am around. And do something fun to take my mind off of that situation, like working out or watching a movie.

Bah Hum Bug

The leaves are starting to turn yellow and orange. And as the air is cooling down I've been thinking about the holidays.

Describe your favorite holiday tradition?

Courtney: In my family, a lot of traditions center around food, like making Pumpkin Roll, Buttermilk pie, and Reindeer Droppings. It's not really Christmas or Thanksgiving with out it. But I think my favorite tradition would have to be our Christmas sibling gift exchange. As a kid we would draw names and would have 20 dollars to spend on that person. It's like a Secret Santa. Only the tradition really is how you buy the present! See, we would all pile into the car and go shopping together. We'd go into Target, get 2 carts, and start shopping. Mom would have one basket and Dad would have the other...and you'd shop for your person. The trick was that they were there too! And you had to do a cloak and dagger thing to get it into a basket without the others knowing who you had, and what you got them! Imagine having 7 people running around trying to keep everything secret. After everything was paid for, and stored safely and secretly in the back, we would go out for a nice dinner.
It's kind of hard to do it with just two people. But this is a tradition that we will do with our children. I have so many wonderful memories, and I want my children to have the same chances of creating their own magical memories!

Matt: One of my fondest memories during my early years was carving pumpkins. I loved to clean out the insides, puling out the seeds and "guts" of the pumpkin. And help my mom wash the seeds, place them on a cookie sheet, and bake them. Yumm, they are so good. We had to wait until dad was around so that we could use the sharp knives to cut out faces in the side of the pumpkin. It was always a challenge with my siblings to see who could come up with the scariest or goofiest face, and place it on the pumpkin.

Playing in the Great Outdoors

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Courtney: Camping! I love cooking over an open fire, snuggling into a cozy sleeping bag, and enjoying a nice warm cup of hot chocolate in the cool mornings. It's nice not to have to worry about what time it is...if it's light it's day time, if it's dark it's time to wind down for the night. It's so simple and relaxing. It's great to get a bunch of family or friends to go with you. Camping allows you a lot of time to really spend quality time together. And honestly, I think everything tastes better when it's cooked over a fire! Oh! and how can anyone deny the awesomeness of S'mores?!??!??

Matt: Surfing the internet. Oh wait, thats my blackberry. Hiking! I just love being outside and trying be unplug myself from the demands of the job and just connecting with the great outdoors.