I must confess, I’ve started the new year out as a total bum, a major Scrooge, and a complete loser. Now I don’t plan on extending the laziness much further into the new 2010 year. But it is nice to have a day that you don’t have a long to-do list to complete. A day where you don’t have to keep track of the check marks and a day where you can do absolutely nothing. How many times does this happen in a year? Not many… so I’m taking full advantage of it. No housework, no shopping, no laundry, no cooking, no working, no email (work email that is), no makeup, no getting out of the sweats, and no fixing the hair.

Today has consisted of cycles of sleeping, eating junk, and watching football. I even slept through the Rose Parade! We did briefly start taking down the Christmas tree – but it was very brief. I thought about doing some laundry since the hamper is overflowing – but it was fleeting thought. I thought about catching a movie but decided I didn’t have the energy or patience to deal with the lines. So I sat in my chair, played solitaire, took naps, and watched college football all day. And now that the sun has gone down, I find myself continuing the days trend.

In my attempt to get into the “New Year” spirit, I contemplated coming up with some resolutions for the decade ahead, But then decided, it was too much trouble and too much stress. Then I thought about 2009 and the ups and down of the roller-coaster year. On one hand, it was a terrific year. Alex came home. I had all the kids and their families together in the same spot twice in the same year. And we welcomed in a new adorable grandson. So from that perspective, it was a wonderful year.

On the other hand, we’re still too far away from home. The economy has damped our savings plan and our travel plans. Work is crazier than and ever and I’m working way too many hours and still can’t get caught up. But now as I sit here and type, I can’t really think of any other negatives to say about 2009 (well I do have a lot to say about the current political climate, but that’s for another post!). Which brings me to the conclusion that the year wasn’t as really bad as everyone on TV  wants me to think it was.

And here’s why…

I have a wonderful family. They are healthy, strong-willed, and independent. They are carving out their place in this world and doing a magnificent job. I am so fortunate to have the best parents anyone could ever dream of. I have the world’s best little brothers and adore their families and grin at their antics posted on Facebook. I do have a roof over my head and don’t think I’ve ever really been hungry. I have the coolest and cutest husband who has more patience  than anyone I know. And unfortunately, he needs all the patience he can get to live with me. He’s my best friend! I have vehicle that gets me to work and back every day. I have pictures and memories of my life that I treasure so much. And maybe most importantly,  I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and realize that while I am sooooo imperfect, His Atonement gives me hope, gives me strength to keep going, and reminds me to try and be a better person every day.

So while I was determined to avoid any new year festivities today, I ended the day in humble gratitude for all the good things in my life and for all the blessings that I enjoy daily. So while 2009 was a very bumpy year, I am looking forward to 2010 with optimism and with a grateful heart for I truly do possess the greatest things this life has to offer. To my parents, my husband, my brothers, my children, my grandsons, and all my friends, I wish you continued happiness and peace in the new year and give thanks that each of you are in my life. I love you guys!!!!

Ale8 – The Chugg family drink of choice for special occasions!

Christmas PJ’s – sorry they’re not really matching this year. But if you put all the girls together (Em, Jen, & Chemenn) they would match and then put all the boys together (Alex, Jeffrey, & Mike) they would all match. So it just looks a little weird by ourselves!

Alex hangs an Ale8 can on the tree – Just for Fielding!

Our almost fully decoreated Christmas tree. But thanks to Emily we did get it up!

Tink plays with his toys. The catnip made him very weird!

Yes, Emily is standing on the cat toy so she can be taller than me!Ollie Mo was a little suspicious of the toys. But he looked marvelous in his Wildcat blue collar!

Emily reading by the Christmas tree – or she may have been loking at the pictures.

The crazy cats…

Had to finish the last drop before we could take a picture. Thanks to Granny for the Ales – they were the hit of the holiday!!

Sleeping Angels!

Granny and Pa sent Emily the cutest Easter basket filled with chocolate goodies and “money” eggs, which Emily loves. She doesn’t eat much of the candy (her parents do that); but she loves counting the dollars and quarters in the Money eggs. She collected enough money eggs to pay for her upcoming field trip and had some spending money left over. What a treat!

The grandsons & their parents (AKA Jeffrey & Chemenn and Jennifer & Mike) spent Easter in KY! That’s the best – Sunday dinner on Granny’s back porch and rides around the farm on the tractor and wagon. Festivities this year even included a night out with the extended Chugg clan at the newest local restaurant and a trip to see real bunnies at Pa’s friends farm. Such fun! Pics below to prove the fun! What can I say – I sure love my family – they are the best and I’m not prejudiced at all! (That’s not a joke – I make that decision based on pure objectivity!)

This Christmas was a blast with all the kids home…almost all were home, Alex is still tracting away in the Philippines. But he was definitely in our thoughts and we did get to talk to him on Christmas Eve. So that was great! Below are some shots of the grandsons playing, munching, watching movies, and of course with Santa!

Click on pictures to enlarge.

Here’s Emily and Jeff getting ready for the Trick-or-Treaters!

 

This picture is not really a “Halloween” picture, but we snapped Emily practicing with her new Pointe shoes!

First of all, I’m going to start with our oldest – Jeffrey. Not really for any particular reason, but I always seem to have to do things in some sort of order. So I start with Jeffrey and end with Emily. (Maybe that’s a peek at some weird personality trait that I’ve been hiding all these years.)

The Law School Graduate!

We recently traveled to Nashville to attend the Vanderbilt Law School graduation ceremony. Yes, Jeffrey graduated from Law School in May! Yeah – way to go son! Of course we knew when he was about 8 years old that he would accomplish this – so it’s really no surprise. We knew he do it. But we are certainly proud of him. He has worked and studied very hard – now just one more big test to go! One thing is for sure though, that diploma should have Chemenn’s name on it too! He couldn’t have made it without her! Check out the pictures below and see Chemenn’s blog for more photos. It was a great day!

More Adventures in the Big Apple (or somewhere in Jersey!)

This just in…a late Easter picture of Beautiful Jen and WIld Man Ethan. The ever photogenic Jen is smiling, but Wild Man just wasn’t in to the photo shoot. But hey, his little vest is adorable!

Next we have pictures of the ever-adventurous Wild Man and his Dad on their first Father and Sons campout! What a blast! And then the little Dude takes in the circus in New York. See I told you it’s been a busy, busy few months!

The Typhoon Boy!

This takes us to Elder Alex serving in the typhoon season of the Philippines. And unfortunately I have no pictures to share. But it seems the small village where he is serving was pretty much wiped out by storms. They estimated the town would be without power for about 2 months. The storm was pretty stong, but all the members and missionaries were accounted for and safe. There was an accident with his companion, who fell and cut his arm. He’s fine, though. Alex carried him to the hospital through the storm and we assumed got his arm sewed up – but Alex’s note really didn’t say that. All in all – they are fine and are having fun with all the excitement! But here’s a picture of Alex in case you don’t remember what he looks like.

The Science Fair

Now comes Emily…she’s been very busy at school and getting ready for summer. She recently competed in the science fair and won First Place, Blue Ribbon for her class. It was quite exciting. (And a little messy…)

And last but certainly not least – The Mother’s Day Surprise!!!!

We wanted something special for our Mom’s this year. Being so far away now has not been fun. We knew we would be in Nashville for Jeffrey’s graduation and decided to drive on up to KY to surprise the grandmothers. And I must say, I think they were very surprised! It was so nice to have all the kids (except Alex of course) all together and to see the grandparents! We had a blast on the farm and Nana and Aunt Darlene couldn’t believe how the little ones had grown. Check out the pics below: