. . . and a happy new year!

The only sad part about traveling over the holidays is the inability to update your blog over the holidays. I LOVE reading other people's posts about their new years resolutions, Christmas traditions, naughty/nice stories, etc... but I don't get to take part in the fun. (Well, not until January 4th.) I make sure to emphasize that this is the ONLY sad part, because traveling over the holidays is pretty awesome!

So it's 2009, well it's about stinkin time!! 2008 was great, don't get me wrong, but I was really getting antsy to turn a new page. To give a recap in 25 words or less:

Basement, dead snake, live snake, Liz's first lasagna, YMCA, graduation & baby Davy simultaneously, Spring Hill, Jetta vs. fox (fox wins), Mexico, violence, best friends ever.

Everyone always appreciates a good set of new year's resolutions, and though I know people who think they are pointless or a waste of time, here I go:

1) Wake up earlier - there is so much good that can be done in the early morning.

2) Go somewhere new - not to live, but just to experience, learn from, and love.

3) Read more - fiction, theology, historical, you name it...

4) Take retreats - daily, monthly, and yearly ones. (Secret Life of Kat)

5) Learn to play the piano - I can't wait!

Ok, more details on our trip to come. (Liz might actually beat me to that.) Happy new year to all of you.

Christmas Movies

I just finished watching Jimmy Stewart (he's such a dream-boat) find out that life in fact is wonderful. I am sure before the end of the advent season I will see Danny Kay sing a duet with Bing Crosby, and hopefully I'll watch Chevy Chase kidnap his boss when he finds out his Christmas bonus was a year's supply of jelly. What about you?

My newest poll is probably the most important of the year, and I really want you to vote. (Thank you for your great turnout, telling us what to do next year.) If you freeze when having to make decisions, I want to let you know that the "OTHER" option is highly important in this specific case. Here are some ideas: Muppet's Christmas Carol, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, or maybe even Family Stone. . . who knows.

Home is where the heart is.

This was how I felt.



It's good to be home.

Huggermugger

We're flying home for Christmas. If you live in the Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, or Detroit areas, we are visiting for the next two weeks. Here is our itinerary:

Omaha Friday night (11:30)
Lincoln through Monday morning
Norfolk through Friday morning
Detroit through the next Friday

While I am home, I want to play Huggermugger. It has been a long-standing tradition in our family to play Boys vs. Girls, and I'm looking forward to a few exciting rounds. What board/card games do you like to play as a family?

In other news, Nebraska is winning in my sidebar poll, so if you haven't voted, or have friends that haven't voted, there are still a few days to voice your opinion.

Music Monday

Well, I've officially joined the ranks Music Mondays on the Bloggable Music Network. I am not exposed to new music very often here in Mexico, but a friend posted Ronnie Freeman's God Speaking on her blog, and it was good. However, I think the song I'm about to link to is even better! Play Satisfied on his ShoutLife page. Honestly, it gave me goosebumps and it's been on repeat all night. Oh, and Melissa, I think he's single.

from me to you

I have a few links that I want to share with those of you that read my blog. You may have already seen them, but if not, they're worth checking out. Each picture is a link to their website.

1) Free Rice - End world hunger while improving your vocabulary. Newly added to the website: pick your subject - geography, mathematics, language, etc... (Personal disclaimer: be prepared to spend hours, procrastinate immensely, and learn strange words like: "chine" "parsimony" & "acolyte")



2) The Bloggable Music Network - Read insightful reviews from "Kat", find out about new & old artists, and receive free music occasionally. (The way the site works: you read her post, listen to her music, and if you like it, you post about it on your blog. This way, you get new music, and the artists get publicity. Everyone wins.)


3) L.A. Times Crossword Puzzle - This one doesn't need much explanation. This link explains how doing a crossword a day keeps Alzheimer's away.


4) The Big Picture - Alan Taylor from The Boston Globe is featured a few times a week on their website. His articles are always informational, but not in the traditional sense. He follows the adage that a picture is worth a thousand words, hence his pen is the camera.

el blog

Don't forget to respond to the new poll I've placed on the right side-bar. . . It decides the fate of Liz and me.

To supplement my update: my wife has posted some great pictures of our Friday's activities.

In other news, SEVENTEEN strapping and strong men showed up at our old house to assist in the packing and moving of the previous tenant's things. While we had agreed to house sit for the family, we were also responsible for their stuff. Thus, when deciding to move, we had to store said items. Although I took no pictures, I beg you to put your hands together for the combined total of 85 man-hours spent on the job. We completely filled four truck-loads followed by a massive trailer and a tow-truck. We celebrated over burgers and parted ways.

Also, anyone who knows me won't be surprised to find out that after lifting heavy items for hours today, I also lifted weights in the evening with a fellow missionary. I'm tired.