Sunday, April 5, 2009

Visitors of the Duck Variety






I always wonder what Winston's up to outside. He always disappears for the longest time when he's out there and I've discovered he has been hanging out by the back of the pool running circles around it. I figured we must have mice or some sort of rodents back there, until yesterday when I heard "quack, quack, quack" coming from the pool and saw a poor duckie come flying out from the pool. Awww. I love ducks! I don't mind Winston pesterting rodents, but I feel bad having Winston disrupt their tranquil pond they've made into a home. It does keep him pretty entertained though, and it makes me feel better knowing he has company in the day while I'm gone :) I thought we just had one, but last night I saw four of them fly off together, and today I got pictures of the male and female resting together on top of our floating lounge chair.



Thursday, April 2, 2009

I've been following a blog the past couple days called Nie Nie Dialogues. It is the blog of Stephanie Nielson. She and her husband were in a plane crash together and miraculously survived, although have both been dealt a really difficult hand, both suffering major burns and other complications. Her blog is so inspiring, I just wanted to pass it along to anyone who wants some motivation and inspiration. She has every reason to feel down and frustrated, but she's chosen to be optimistic and faithful. I don't even know this couple but I know they are very blessed and were preserved for a special purpose. You can read her blog and make any donations to their recovery fund here: http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Winston's Looking Distinguished

Very distinguished profile portrait

A very chipper Winston

Rolling in the grass with gusto


Another distinguished portrait


The Winston Head Tilt

Friday, January 16, 2009

I've been slacking

Well it's been awhile since I've posted so I have some things to catch up on. Christmas was way fun! It was so nice seeing everyone, and we wish Anj, Brent and Taryn could have made it, but it sounds like they had a nice Christmas together in Tacoma. We had fun while Kim, Matt and Ellie were in town. We went to Leatherby's and took a walk down Christmas Street one night. I loved the look on Ellie's face when they served her her ice cream. She looked so excited! It was fun watching all the kids interract during the Christmas party, they are so much fun. Mylee is so cute and has been standing up and doing little dances. She is starting to get an early start with walking,...I can't believe how fast the kids grow up. I love being with the fam during Christmas.
New Year's was fun, I was able to hang out with some friends, (thank you Alicia for inviting me) and we watched some movies and went to Red Robin for dinner. It was really nice getting out, I had a lot of fun.
Winston got some fun toys for Christmas, all of which he has already eaten or severely maimed. He cracks me up. I am not sure how he selects which stuffed animals he turns against and which ones can stay in his good graces. So far the only animal that has made it unscathed is his beloved bunny. He handles it as he would a puppy, gently carries it around and sleeps with it at night. I think it's so cute.
Work has been going well. It's been a tough year so far for some co-workers, but they have been so positive and just such good examples to me. I really hope things improve and that they are blessed for their strength and courage. I am so grateful for the awesome friends I have at work, they are such positive, encouraging people.
Tomorrow Mom, Michelle and I are going up to Morgan for Bob Whittier's funeral, my great uncle. It is sad to see the relatives aging and starting to leave us. I hope his family finds the comfort they need right now. I am sure he and Grandpa will enjoy each other's company on the other side. As I was reading his obit, I realized how much he and Grandpa had in common. I never did know him very well, just from family get-togethers. It will be good to see everyone tomorrow at the funeral.
Well that's about it for now, I will try to be a more dilligent blogger.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

New haircut

Here's a picture of my new haircut and color. It's not really dramatic but it's nice having a change:) It's hard to see the bangs in this picture though. I feel dumb taking pictures, so I felt better having one with me and Winston:) I tried to post a video of Winsie opening his present tonight, but it's not working, so I will attempt later!



Sunday, December 21, 2008

Merry Christmas!

I thought I'd just post my card on here :)

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Lessons Learned

I've wanted to make a list of all the lessons I've learned the past couple years. They weren't easy ones but I am so grateful for the guidance and direction they have given me. I know any circumstance or challenge can be turned into a personal testimony of overcoming obstacles and learning to see the positive in almost anything.



Life is too short to spend with someone who makes life seem unbearably long.

If your bad days outweigh your good days, a change has to be made.

Surround yourself with people who make you feel positive. Positive about yourself, those around you and about life in general.

We need to be honest with ourselves and recognize that as much as we can put the blame on others, there are always those things that we can improve upon ourselves.

Don't harbor anger and resentment but learn whatever lesson is to be learned from disappointing circumstances. Instead gather wisdom and appreciation for whatever valuable lesson was learned.

Don't let the past define your future; instead let it be a culmination of experiences that define what it is you have overcome and what kind of person you can be in the future as a result.

People will always speculate and gossip, but they don't have ill-feelings. Most of them
are probably just grateful to have someone else's problems to think about rather than their own.

If you think life couldn't get much worse, read a book that really puts things into perspective.

If a circumstance seems impossible, gather strength from people you know who have overcome seemingly impossible circumstances.

Cherish your time with your loved ones. Always remember that it is the little things that will someday mean the most.

Develop an attitude of understanding with the people you might understand the least. There is something really fulfilling about turning what could be a misconception into a truth.

You know you're moving in the right direction if you find that you are experiencing some kind of growth.