Seriously, it isn't midnight yet? Because I was sure the New Year would have been here by now.
Or maybe I am just getting old.
But honestly, it only seems to be hard to stay up until a certain time when you are expected to... because lately I have been staying up very late for no good reason.
So what did you guys do to celebrate New Year's Eve? Or have you even celebrated yet lol.
My family had a pretty simple day.
We pulled the cookies out of the deep freezer that were left over from Christmas. I made some country style ribs, sausage, and creamed corn. And then we ate together and had a "family meeting," where we talked about internet usage, behavior expectations and our new year's challenge.
So the challenge is to see how many books our family can read in a year.
I really wish I had a family to challenge, because I think it would be even cooler to try and have some competition. But I think to make it work we would have to find a family with the same amount of family members and have kids that are similar ages as ours too. And I can't think of anyone off the top of my head that meets those requirements.
Anyways, the challenge starts tomorrow, and I think it is going to be fun. We told the kids that once they hit 100 books we will have a pizza party...and we hope that they will continue to reach higher numbers and we can find other little rewards to encourage them along the way.
We also started a "word of the day" board. I did this hoping to introduce ALL of us to new vocabulary. It basically will just have a new vocabulary word every day and the definition with a sample sentence. The real trick will to be find a way to actually remember the words.
And tonight we talked to the kids about New Years Resolutions and we all made at least one.
Gabriel's was to learn more about Hawaii and go there.
Julien's was to read 1000 books and write one.
Alex's was to work out more (he wants to be an mma fighter) & learn how to use his new telescope.
Levi's was to get into an mma fight this year.
Mine was to finish writing my novel. Simplify. Enjoy my kids and husband more. Go somewhere once a month that I have never been. Make some money. And to change the world for Elijah.
After our family meeting, I cleaned up the kitchen a little bit, packed up leftovers and brought them to my dad, and then went and bought the kids 4 little fireworks to shoot off. I knew Elijah was smiling over us when the guy handed me 2 packages of fireworks called "Sunflowers" and said that these would be good for a small budget.
I was going to skip out on the fireworks, but fireworks hold a special place in my heart because that is how we said goodbye to Elijah. His memorial was a fireworks cruise at Disney.
Anyways, now it is almost 9:00pm and we are that much closer to 2017.
I don't have any bad feelings towards this year. It wasn't the greatest, but it certainly wasn't the worst.
It was a year without Elijah...
A year of defeat.
A year of failures.
A year of survival (I guess).
But it is also one year closer to Elijah.
Anyways, I hope you all have a peaceful and generous 2017. I hope you love more, give more and live more.
Goodbye 2016. Time to move forward.
Please keep praying for our world. Pray for my family. Pray for me. And always always pray for my sweet Elijah.
Thank you.
Today, 18 years ago I met you dad.
I had no idea he would be your dad,
and I had no idea about all the happiness
and heartbreak we would share.
But I am sure glad I made that silly wish in the fountain
and gave him my number on that gum wrapper.
I love your dad, and am so glad that we stuck it out through
everything.
I am so glad we had your brothers and you.
And I would give anything for us all to be here tonight
celebrating this happy day,
and the beginning of a new year together.
I love and miss you so much Elijah.
Happy New Year.
<3
No comments:
Post a Comment