40 things to remember for 2009

I am totally stealing this from another site... But I am giving credit to Debbieday from www.sparkpeople.com She posted this on her blog there and I think they are great. I wanted to share!!!

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

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to. Get reAquainted with yourSELF!

3. Buy a Tivo (DVR), 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. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did last year.

7. Always pray and make time to exercise.

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

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are 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 energy flow into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, 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 energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't always 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 screw up the present.

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

24. Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Everyday is special.

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

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

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

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

29. Time heals almost everything( or at least adds perspective). Give time time!

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

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

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

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides, remember?!

34. The best is yet to come.

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

36. Do the right thing!

37. Call your family often.

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

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

40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that 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.

Merry Christmas from the Hodges'

Hope everyone is having a fabulous day in whatever way you are celebrating. The boys are playing video games and Hollister is watching a new movie.

Mom is trying to sneak away from all the fun! (hee hee)

Tried to do a family photo last night, but all the sudden "height" is an issue in this household and no one can be serious! Check out Kendrick's toes!!!!

Oh well.... here's what we got! I finally stuck them on a couch!!!

The Gangs All Here

Our house is full again. Kendrick arrived this morning. So be prepared for a lot of blogging with him included. He's missed out on being in the posts!

So, we sent him off in August and thought nothing of it. He turned 17 in September and apparently into man some time after that. He is TALL, taller than me. He is at least 6ft. I have to say, that is kind of weird. I feel short, which doesn't happen often. And when he talked, OMG!!! He has a deep MAN voice!!!It is weird to see this transformation. I think even Trevor was a little taken aback from it. Now, they are playing video games and all seems normal.

Hollister was super shy at first, wouldn't even look at him at the airport. Now though, he is all about "his Nenick!" Kendrick told Hollister his Christmas present was in this bag. Hollister wouldn't look at him, but he did try picking up the bag. CJ is in hog heaven. He loves having a big brother and idolizes Kendrick.

Me, my house is full of men and boys. My laundry is not done and for the next 2 and a half weeks, never will be. My menu is made for the next 2 weeks and the cupboards are full. I am prepared, I hope my dishwasher is!

Life is full... of boys, and probably unmatched socks for the next few weeks but it is full! Who can complain about that?

Mickey Mania

We took Hollister to Disney Playhouse Live last night at the Frank Erwin Center. It was so much fun. He was absolutely thrilled. He was in awe of all the characters and music.

It included Mickey, the Little Einstein's, Tigger and Pooh, and Handy Manny. he did bring Minnie, Goofy and Donald Duck. Hollister asked, "Where Daisy?" Not sure why she wasn't there.

As parents we wish there had been more Mickey, but he truly enjoyed it. When they brought Minnie out, he smiled. Then he said, "Goofy?" He's a huge favorite. His face lit up when he saw him. It was totally worth every penny and even the $8 sno cone in a "rocket ship" and don't ask how much the guitar was, it would sicken you!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Class Pet?

This little guy was outside my portable today after school. I gotta say, I've lived in Texas my whole life (minus some Army stops before I was 3) and this is the closest I have ever been to an armadillo. Mostly I have seen them dead on the side of the road.

This one was digging up the grass, big time. I wonder where he came from. Our school is surrounded by a housing community, no land, nothing!!! And no, he will not be a class pet of any sort! I am hoping he is gone tomorrow. But, I do have to say, I'll take him over rats anyday. Yes, that means we have had those!!!

Only in Texas....

12 days before Christmas

Thoughts I am having on this, the 12th day before Christmas.....

12. We have ZERO presents bought, none for our family, children, each other, etc.. ZERO. what are we waiting for?

11. I have lost 11 pounds and I'd better not find them over this holiday season.

10. I have a few gifts I am making this year and have I started? NO!!!! again, what am I waiting for?

9. CJ splitting Christmas break between his parents. UGH! I don't get Christmas morning this year, after 9 years it never gets easy! WAH!

8. Kendrick comes in 8 days.

7. What am I going to get for my husband? Why are men so hard to buy for?

6. How will I entertain my children over Christmas break and not go broke? Be creative Elizabeth, be creative!

5. 5 more work days WOO HOO!

4. Will I still have to get up at 4:30 am to fit my workouts in? I certainly hope not.

3 HOLLISTER IS TURNING 3!!!!! 12 days after Christmas (oh that will have to be another post) and I have to plan his party!!! and if you know me, I am a party planner and I always go over board and trust me, a little thing like Christmas will not change that! But, I still panic about it.

2. the list of to-dos is getting longer and longer

1. Watch this video and imagine, 1 more body(Kendrick) involved in that and you'll see why I need Calgon. (Did I just show my age or what?)

Christmas Concert

CJ had his school Christmas concert last night. Check out my handsome son! I actually got him to smile.

I made a video of his singing, but also included this handsome picture for those who can't access the video..

ENJOY!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sweet tooth

This weekend we hosted a dessert party for our neighbors and friends. This is our second neighborhood party since we moved in June.

First, I tried something I read on another blog. I heated red hots on the stove to make it smell like Christmas in the house and, IT WORKED!!! Water and red hots, boil, let simmer. It was awesome. It will burn though so don't leave it for a super long time.

Trevor and I made a lot of chocolate dipped treats. I also made a trail mix. Each person was asked to bring a treat to share.

I made sugar cookies for the kids and had things for them to decorate with. We didn't have very many kids, but the ones we had lived it up. I told Trevor next year, no sprinkles! They were everywhere!



















This is Tony, eating his yummy creations.



























This is Mia, Tony's sister. She loved decorating more than eating the cookies.



















Hollister had a great time playing with Mia. She is 4. She is a new friend!


We anticipated people staying about 2 hours or so, just dessert, wine and coffee.
What happened was talking, talking and more talking. Except the kids, little desserts were eaten. I made everyone take a "doggie bag". No way are we leaving that stuff in this house with a woman on a diet. I even made CJ a plate for when he returns tomorrow night.

anyway, we just sat around and chatted and before we knew it, it was 10pm. Then it was midnight!!!!















It was really fun. We don't get to visit much with each other often. I mean, everyone has busy lives, so this was a nice get together. It's our goal to have block parties about 4 times a year. This one was smaller than the last, but we got to meet a new family from two doors down. YEA!


And this is what the down side from a sugar high looks like. What a sweet boy.