40 Tips for a Better Life in 2009

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured IN plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, or issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the negative blues away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Hug more.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often. (Or e-mail them to death!)

37. Each night before you go to bed, complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life, so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Share this with those you care about. I just did. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!

Lazy Sunday

Sunday was a very relaxing day for us which was great since we both had to go back to work from being off through the holidays! We organized stuff around the house and just enjoyed hanging out together with no place we had to go! It was also a day where Caden wanted to be wherever Daddy was. He was all about Tim Sunday and could not stand to let him out of his sight.
I went to get my nails done and while I was away, my guys were resting on the floor in front of the fire place. Check out these shots of Caden that Tim took.Once I got home, Caden woke up from his nap in front of the fireplace. Check out that crazy hair; which got cut Sunday as well by the way!

Christmas with Stetson and Caden

Today we finally got around to getting with the Sarratts so that Stetson and Caden could exchange Christmas gifts. We had such a great time and I think the boys did as well!

Check out Stetson's face waiting on Jamie to help get the bow off!

Smiley Stetson!
We got Stetson a Tow Mater plush toy from the movie Cars.

I love this picture of Caden watching Jamie with the camera. He has his lower lip poked out! By the way, doesn't the Mommy-To-Be look beautiful?? I love her blouse!

Here is Caden and as most 16 month olds, he is more fascinated with the wrapping paper. I'm thinking by next year that may change!

Stetson was a great helper and helped Caden get his gift open. It was a Little Tykes handle hauler Safari truck! Caden loves it and has pushed it all over the living room.

Thanks for such a wonderful time. Thank you also Jamie for the goodies and the chocolate covered pretzels! YUMMY!

Whew...

'Whew...I'm so glad the holidays are done....' Grammie took this picture of Caden today at her house. I think he is all holidayed out!

Happy New Year

We hope you all have a Happy New Year. Caden rang in the New Year tonight before bedtime with some sparkling grape juice and a party hat!

Here are some cute shots of my little guy with myself and GiGi before we left for church.

GiGi and Poppa got Caden a life-size Mickey Mouse to play with. Caden loves it and drags it everywhere.

Rancho Grande

Caden and I headed back down to Conroe to visit some more after Christmas. Mom, Dad, Caden and I went to a Mexican restaurant named Rancho Grande. They had a guy playing a guitar so Dad asked him to come over and sing to Caden. As you can tell by the video, Caden loved it!

Here is a picture of Caden on the horse at the restaurant too!

Christmas Day

We had a very relaxing Christmas Day. Christmas morning Caden had his Santa gifts. He got a bouncing ball that he can hold on to from Santa as well as a car to push around, some shoes, pj's and a Mickey Mouse toy.

Here he is teething on Mickey Mouse toy.

He almost has the jumping ball figured out. He mostly rolls all over it now, but he'll learn! That afternoon we headed over to MiMi and Granny's house to open gifts and visit.

Caden had such a great time playing ball with MiMi's brother, Mike.

Here is MiMi opening up her hand print gift from Caden.Granny with Caden.

Christmas Eve with Grammie

I am sorry for the delay in posting, but after we got back from my parents house for Christmas, Caden and I decided to go back down on Friday and stay a few days. Let me catch you all up!

Grammie kept Caden over night on the 23rd so they had a great time before we came to meet up on Christmas Eve. Just like at my parents' house, Santa had to have stopped several times!

Here is Caden with the book and the talking Bear that Grammie got him. The bear read The Night Before Christmas. Caden kept pushing it throughout the time we opened gifts so I think we all have it memorized now!

What do you think? Does he love his Mommy?Daddy with the video camera.

Caden is not a fan of the gloves Daddy got. Maybe it's the O.J. thing...who knows....

Grammie had a gift bag that actually played a Christmas song. Here is Grammie playing it for Caden one of a million times that night.

The family with all the goodies spread around.

Thank you for a wonderful Christmas Eve Grammie. We love everything we got!

Merry Christmas! We hope you all have a blessed Christmas!