For my first post of the new year, 2011...

What should I say? I don't make New Years Resolutions. I think you should improve your life all year long every day of the year. However, I know it's important to some people to give themselves that extra boost on January 1 of a new year. If only people could reaffirm their resolutions at the beginning of each month or halfway through the year. I know it's hard to keep those resolutions, but instead of making them once a year, try to make a lifestyle change that lasts throughout the year (and year after year) rather than a fluke commitment that will fade away as the year fades. At the gym every year, January and February are the busiest months. I have seen it year after year. Not that I'm the biggest gym buff, but for the past 3 years or so, I have taken yoga twice a week for most weeks of the year. In January, the parking lot of the gym is unbelievably full and the classes are packed. By December, the gym parking lot is empty and the classes are too...or should I say that only the "regulars" are left in the classes and in the parking lot. It has happened every year that I have been at my current gym. It's kind of mind-boggling to me. I've been through the gym addiction and the fall out process, but I have to say that the only thing that has kept me going over the past couple of years is finding something that I truly enjoy and something that enhances my mind, body, and soul. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. Yoga isn't for everyone, but I know that everyone can find the same passion in some sort of exercise, if they look for a lasting experience rather than a quick fix. Okay, I'll jump off my soap box now. :) For those of you who do make or have made New Years Resolutions, I hope your resolutions stick for all twelve months (and into 2012)!

I have had several requests from friends to update my blog (julie and staci) so that they can have something to do during their lunch hour. I didn't realize that my blog provided so much entertainment...or should I say, I didn't realize it provided a "time-filler" for work boredom. I guess that's better than no one reading it at all. ;)

I've kept myself pretty busy since the start of the school year. I stopped working at the Ox and Rabbit at the end of the summer, so I would have thought my weekends would be pretty free. However, I filled most of my Friday and/or Saturday nights with babysitting for my favorite little girls. It's the best job ever because I get to spend time with the best girls in the world and get paid for it! Weekends that I haven't been babysitting, I've been traveling, which as you already know, is my favorite past time. Teaching a new grade has also kept me on my toes. I LOVE teaching 3rd grade. I am even more convinced that 3rd grade may truly be my calling for teaching. Every day, I love going to work, I love teaching my kids, and I love the curriculum. It's not because it's easier than 4th grade, but I definitely take home less work to grade, which is REALLY nice. The kids are different in 3rd grade--they are sweeter, kinder, and just learning how to be more independent. It's absolutely marvelous! I wouldn't trade moving from 4th to 3rd grade for anything in the world. Pure joy; less stress.

Maybe I said a lot of this in my last two posts?! So now I'm being repetitive...super. Moving forward...let's get caught up on some pictures from the past couple of months. Starting from the present and moving backward, here are pictures from NYE in Charleston, SC, from when Alison visited in November, and from babysitting the girls one night during the fall. Most of the pictures were taken with my little crappy camera, so the quality is not the best, but I hope you'll enjoy them anyway.

As a side note, I did get a new lens from my brother for Christmas and a flash from my dad for Christmas. Plus, I bought myself a bike with some of my Christmas money, so I am hoping that once it gets a little warmer (i.e., not in the 20s outside), I will be taking my bike outside with my camera, new lens, and new flash and will be taking lots of beautiful pictures to add to the blog!

Nora and Julio with champagne and good luck grapes!

Mark and Nora waiting to leave the house.

Chris and Jacob (i.e. "Bert and Ernie")...great smiles, right?!

Aww...Nora and Kat looking beautiful
and ready for a night out on the town!

Ju, Chris, and Jacob - Cheers! (and good luck grapes)

I'm pretty sure you know who these people are.

Lou ... a new addition to the family festivities!

Nora, Ju, Chris, and Kat's brother, Andrew

Kat is ready to par-tay!

When Alison visited, the 3 college roommates/friends
got to share a night out on the town together!

Where else? East end!

Lucy Linh! So cute!

Annie Allen, the talented and creative artist!

Gotta love Lucy Linh's faces!

AA, LL, and Freja

And last but not least, Luna.