Word post

Another WORD post

Some things to APPRECIATE...

-Bottles

-Grandmas and Grandpas

Both items allowed Mike and I to go out on our first date WITHOUT Charlotte Saturday evening. We missed her, and it was weird to not have her with us, BUT it was really nice to go out just the two of us. Thanks Grandma Kris and Grandpa Kent!

What have you appreciated lately?

MY WORD

Finally.

I know it's almost mid-February but I think I've come up with

MY WORD

for the year.

I really like having a word to focus on rather than setting a list of goals. I figure if I really want to do something, I do it, I don't need to make a list in order for me to get it done. By choosing a WORD to focus on, it changes my perspective and gives me a new way of thinking. So without further ado here's my WORD for the year.

APPRECIATE

1. To recognize the quality, significance, or magnitude of: appreciated their freedom.

2. To be fully aware of or sensitive to; realize: I appreciate your problems.

3. To be thankful or show gratitude for: I really appreciate your help.

4. To admire greatly; value.

5. To raise in value or price, especially over time.

v.intr.

To increase in value or price, especially over time.

SYNONYMS: appreciate, value, prize¹, esteem, treasure, cherish

Here's some ways I plan on using my WORD:

Instead of dreading being up in the middle of the night...

(sorry to be honest, but I'm not that mom that loves being up all night. I like my sleep)

However, I'm going to appreciate every moment with my babus because she won't be tiny forever and I know she is going to grow up way too fast.

Instead of focusing on how OUT OF SHAPE I am....

I'm going to appreciate having good health.

I'm going to appreciate the way my body is and the miracle it was to give birth.

I want to appreciate the beautiful place I live by experiencing new things, going on new hikes this summer, maybe even learning to ski next winter.

I want to do a better job of showing my appreciation for Mike by being a good house wife, making good, healthy meals, cleaning the house, and working on not piling things on the counter.

I want to appreciate the things I have, so I don't buy wasteful things that aren't needed.

Overall I hope that by having an attitude of gratitude and appreciating the way things are,

I will lead a happier life and help to make others happy as well.

President Thomas S. Monson of the LDS church said,

"This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.

We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. "

Thomas S. Monson, “An Attitude of Gratitude,” Ensign, May 1992, 54

That my friends, is my GOAL for the year 2010.

Did you set goals this year?

Did you choose a word?

Do you usually accomplish your goals for the year?

Want to see a cute way to publish and remember your word? Click here.

One last adventure

This winter has been wonderful. Seriously. I don't usually love winter but this year has been great. It's probably because Mike has helped me enjoy some winter sports.  Before spring arrives, which PS I hope is soon, we went for one last winter adventure... snowshoeing. 

Love him. 

I thought I was in decent shape but snowshoeing kicked my butt. 

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. 

I've really enjoyed trying new winter activities this year. PS did I ever tell you my word for the year? It just so happens to be NEW, meaning I'm wanting to try NEW things this year, step out of my comfort zone, branch out a little bit. Back to the point...winter has been great but I'm ready to try some NEW SPRING adventures. 

Maybe winter isn't so bad

So, I've never liked winter. I don't like being cold, I hate driving in the snow, I hate that it lasts for what seems like forever, everything is dead...I could go on but I'll spare you the pessimism. 

For some reason I've actually enjoyed winter this year. I think it's because after being in Chicago for three years, the temperatures out here feel like a heat wave.  

It's been such a joy to go running with this friend, this friend or on my own without having chunks of ice stuck to my eyelashes, and 5 different layers on just to stay warm. 

I've also loved seeing the mountains covered in snow. 

I can't believe I forgot how beautiful they were. 

And I've tried something new this year. I can't believe I didn't try this earlier.  

Cross- Country Skiing.  

Lame I know, because I grew up in Utah, where the greatest snow on earth is. 

But now that I tried it. I think I'm hooked. 

 

Mike and I braved the cold (once again nothing compared to Chicago) Saturday night and went cross-country skiing. We had a great time. I can't wait to go again.