Disney Double

Watched 101 Dalmatians and Rescuers Down Under with the husband this weekend.
Definite blast from the past, and full of so many memories!



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"Pu-puddles, 15 spotted puddles." 

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Bernard: "Miss Bianca, before anything else happens...will you marry me?"

Miss Bianca" "Oh, Bernard! Of course I will!"

Jake: "Well done, mate."

Love. Love. Love.

January Bliss

Oh, January, you've been an excellent first month of this year...

J.azzed about the snowfall and subsequent rest that accompanied
A.ccomplished 13.1 miles with my fabulous in-laws
N.ewness in the year, thought, and deep down in my being
U.nderstated big comfy sweaters with leggings and new boots!!
A.fter an exhausting day, being met with candlelight dinner and kisses
R.osy cheeks after a kiss from Pooh Bear <3
Y.ear twenty-twelve, I celebrate you

Looking forward

I was thinking the other day as I browsed other's pinterest boards with their witty names, and scanned through facebook and the thoughtfully worded status updates turning the mundane into clever, funny quips. Scrolling through blogs and the fascinating images, quotes, ideas, concepts, thoughts and displays of daily life in a manner worth grabbing your attention...which started to overwhelm me. And my attention.
I find myself staring at the keyboard trying to think of the next clever thing to grab at least a few people's attention -- maybe even get a comment! But at the end of the day there is SO much to see, watch, read and so many talented clever people that I felt I needed to step back into stillness and re-evaluate. I prize creativity and want to be inspired and inspire others but am beginning to lose myself in the absolute volume and bombardment of it all.
So. I took this afternoon to spend some time with God, re-evaluate, prioritize and set out some good ol' New Year's Resolutions...what follows are my thoughts and goals in this next year.

I wrote plenty of pages, but for the sake of taking "overwhelmed" out of my current state of mind I'm simplifying so that these 'resolutions' are something I can wake up and remember...not have to re-read a book to figure out where I was headed.

The first one is simple and so far, so good: Journal Every Day of 2012. No requirements of length or words...just simply that something is on the page each day. Really, it's for the sake of exercising my writing muscle which has since grown lax and lazy.

The second: Earlier in a study with my Small Group we had to spend some time on starting our Life Purpose Statement (no small task!) which resulted in this:

Essentially my "tree" represents growing in my faith by: 1) Bearing Fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), 2) Obedience (Psalm 1:1-3), 3) Pruning (Romans 12:1-2), and 4) Growing (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

So working within that...my 2012 resolution are:

1. Pay Attention

Micah 6:8 "...do justice, to love kindness (mercy) and to walk humbly with your God"

2. Act on Compassion

John 15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

3. Show Up (authenticity)

1 Timothy 3:11 "...but set believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." 

And the only way these resolutions will see any fruit is by the strength and encouragement of Christ which met me this morning as I was reading through Psalm 119: "You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope" (v. 114). 

Here's to 2012! 

Snowed In!

Well I missed 10 on 10 for this first month of 2012, but I decided to document the past 3 1/2 snowed in days and call it good! 

Oh What A Year!

Well...last year I got this up January 4th...
I'm 12 days late this year, but alas, it's my tradition!

1. What did you do in 2011 that you had never done before?

• I became Mrs. Anderson, visited DisneyWorld and finally saw a midnight showing of Harry Potter! 

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?

• Last years: 1. "Get a good and sturdy exercise routine" -- done and DONE! Between circuit training and training for the half marathon I'm feel great! 2. To Cook! Well...I've cooked more than I have in the past...a few disasters, a few great successes and a long way to go... 3. Daily devotions...well, not perfect by any means, but have kept up with my small group! 4. Learn to be content in all situations...still a work in progress
• I have a date with some tea, my bible and journal to set some goals for this year...stay tuned. 

3. Did anyone close to you die?

• Grandma Anderson and Grandpa Feigal -- we'll miss you!

4. Did anyone close to you give birth?

• I've been keeping up with a friend from high school and she welcomed a healthy baby boy! However, it seems like everyone I know is expecting so 2012 will be full!!

5. What countries did you visit?

• Bahamas!

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

• Patience and a heart of service

7. What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory?

• July 16, 2011, the day I said I Do! 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

• Planning a wedding and completing a huge project at work ahead of schedule!

9. What was your biggest failure?

• My selfishness 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

• No, thank goodness!!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

• We bought a lot for the wedding...but I have to say I'm pretty pleased with my Christmas gifts this year. 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

• My new in-laws and family welcomed me with such warmth and excitement. It's a blessing to be a part of such a fun family. 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

• Not really impressed with the Kim Kardashian wedding fiasco...

14. Where did most of your money go?

• Wedding!! And traveling...that has been a busy traveling year. Many trip to CO, down to FL, then AL for Thanksgiving and back to CO for Christmas!

15. What did you get really really excited about?

• All the wedding festivities and being able to spend some quality time with my amazing girls. And the Disney cruise!

16. What song will always remind you of 2011?

• When You Say You Love Me --Josh Groban

17. Compared to this time last year are you happier or sadder?

• I estimate about the same...I'm pretty happy.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

• Stretched myself...and thought about others a bit more. 

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

• Spent time at airports...had quite a few long travel days!

20. How did you spend Christmas?

• First Christmas together spent going to church and enjoying some time with my parents. 

21. How will you be spending New Years?

• We spent New Years with some good friends -- a game of Farkle, good drinks and snacks and a warm bed to crash in! 

22. What was your favorite TV programs?

• Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives, and Grey's Anatomy

23. What was the best book you read?

• I've read a lot, actually. Enjoyed the Frank Peretti series, The Power of One, Hunger Games, The Lincoln Lawyer. Currently enjoying The Secret Life of Bees. Oh how I love books!!

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?

• Well, my favorite song from this year is Dynamite by Taio Cruz

25. What did you want and got?

• A fun, fabulous wedding surrounded by friends and family! 

26. What was your favorite film this year?

• I have a few: HP and the Deathly Hallows Part II, Tangled and Winnie the Pooh! (I'm such a nerd...)

27. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

• Twenty-four and my office celebrated with a delicious meal at Maggie Bluff's then had a few friends over for dessert and games! 

28. What is one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

• Hmmm, I can't think of anything! 

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

• Professional...comfy and big sweaters with leg warmers, I'm all about the cozy. And a bit more eco-conscious, I added some recycled plastic tees and bamboo shirts! 

30. What kept you sane?

• Prayer. Bubble baths. Tea and dear friends from near and far. 

31. What did you get that you didn't deserve?

• Everything I've received is a blessing and underserved, that's the absolute beauty of it all.

32. Who did you miss?

• Friends -- it's a sign of growing up, we're each doing our own thing. Making our own way; that we don't have the luxury of a couple weeks during the summer and winter to just hang out!

33. Who was the best new person you met?

• The Anderson extended family!

34. What is a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011?

• Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. --Philippians 4:6

35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

"Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you
Gave me you"
--Blake Shelton