Steadfast - UPDATE

Last year I chose the word embrace to be "my word" of the year. 

This year I wanted to pick another word to help direct my goals/resolutions for the year.

I started out with diligent, but it didn't quite fit with what I had in mind for 2009. So I looked up diligent in the thesaurus one of the words that struck me was the word steadfast.

According to dictionary dot com steadfast is defined as "fixed in a direction, firm in purpose, unwavering, firmly established, and firmly fixed in place or position."

In the year 2009 I want to be steadfast in:

- spending more quiet time with the Lord

- becoming debate free - a very kind friend pointed this out to me. I meant to write become debt free.  My husband though debate free might be appropriate :o)  Note to self: proof read before hitting publish.

- creating time for reading, scrapbooking, blogging, spending quality time with my husband, my kids, and my friends

- deepening friendships (being honest and real with what is happening in my life)

- continuing with writing handwritten notes and doing a better job of staying in contact with friends and family

- mothering, being the best I can be for my kids

- listening (really listening) to my kids and learning from them

- my exercise routine

- healthy eating habits

- being accountable for my reading challenge - actually blogging about the books I have read and adding new books for 2009 (any suggestions?)

Happy New Year Friends!

2008 in Review

Since I didn't do a Christmas letter this year, I thought I would do a recap of our year.  There is no top ten list or most memorable moments, just some happenings in our life over the past year.  

-Mauryn gets ear tubes.  The results of the tubes have been amazing. Her vocabulary has multiplied and she has gained a pound since getting her tubes.  

- We spent a wintery weekend in Sun Valley, Idaho.  Beautiful snow covered mountains, swimming in the outdoor pools, bowling, and great family time.
- Lance gets on a exercise kick and runs his first race.
- We were able to celebrate the marriage of one of our favorite people, Katie Wilson.

- Morgan learns how to knee board.
- Landon works hard to stop sucking his thumb and earned a skateboard!
- We spent many summer days at the water park, taking in the sun and enjoying the rides.  
- A definite highlight was our first family vacation to San Diego.  We took in the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, the Wild Animal Park, the beach, and a Padres game.  
- My biggest accomplishment this year was training for and completing my first ever marathon. It turned out to be much more than just fundraising for cancer and completing the goal of running a marathon. I learned so much about myself and made some wonderful new friends.
- This year I was able to meet a blogging friend in real life, reconnect with relatives through blogging, and meet two blogging friends on skype.  Who would have thought??

- Morgan finished stage one braces. She now has straight teeth and retainer to wear 24/7.

- Landon learns to ride without training wheels. He didn't even mind learning on his good friend Amiah's pink bike.

- We went on a field trip to tour a private airplane company and it turned into a flight above Boise for all the kids and parents. It was definitely an experience none of us will ever forget.

- Morgan participated on a competitive gymnastics team. Morgan worked hard all year to improve and polish her routines.  All her hardwork paid of in March when she had her best meet of the year and won state for her age group and level.

- Time spent with family and friends throughout the year.

Bye Bye Baby Curls

Before:

After:

* i weighed mauryn this morning to check her progress with gaining weight, and she was up one pound since her doctors visit last month (according to my scale). we are so thankful she has gained some weight and are hopeful to see her gain more weight before her next doctors appointment in february.

Merry Christmas

from the Crazy Cheney Clan!

May your day be filled with family, fun, and the joy of celebrating our Savior's birth!

Wordless Wednesday: Building a Snowman

Apparently White TShirts are Required

to make lefse at our house this year.

Lance and Mauryn rolling it out

Morgan and Landon the lefse turners

Landon concentrating on the task at hand

Lance rolling out the lefse

Mauryn - I can do it myself

Glittered Candlesticks

On a regular basis Morgan reads Lindsey's blog to see what type of projects she is working on or checks her shop to see  what new items she has created.  (By the way, if you haven't checked out her shop... go now. Cute cute stuff.)

Morgan has crafty mom envy. 

I have crafty mom envy. (There is not one crafty bone in my thirty five year old body)

A little over a week ago, Lindsey posted a tutorial on glittered candlesticks.  As soon as Morgan saw them she wanted to make them. It sparkled. It involved glitter. She was sold.

Since we are cutting back on our spending for gifts this year (thanks to FPU), Morgan and I decided she could make the candlesticks for her piano teacher.

The candlesticks were super easy to make, inexpensive, and really cute.  Thanks Lindsey for the great idea!

candlestick before

glue and glitter

the finished product