Vocabulary Lesson

I've always thought I've been fairly decent with my vocabulary, although I must admit it's easier said than done (or in this case, written). Ronnie has recently made it his mission to remind me that I still have trouble using "then" and "than" correctly. It's so frustrating. I don't understand how these two little words still baffle me. It's not like I'm of below average intelligence (or so I think). So, not for any readers out there, but rather for myself, I am posting the definitions of these words so that I am able to refer to them whenever I am posting... Hopefully there will be no more misuse of these two homophones.

Then: Then is used either as a time marker or with a sequence of events.

"Back then we knew what was expected of us."

Than: Than is used in comparative statements and is not related to time.

"He is taller than I am"

Once I get these two down I may need to move on to effect and affect. If there are any other words you think I need to work on, please share!!!

Playing Catch Up

When do I have time to blog...seriously! I feel like such a slacker...I know, I know, I say that all the time, so there's proof, it must be true, right? So I guess this post will be a "catch up" post so I don't keep saying that.

Dinner with my friends was amazing. I've been in contact with them since then, through email and texting and such, I didn't realize how much I missed them, until I had them back. It's great to have them in my life again.

Christmas was WONDERFUL! The weekend before Christmas we took the kids to see Santa, and while we were getting ready Sophia informed me she was still mad at Santa from last year!?!?! Hmmm... really, mad at Santa? She went on to explain that last year she asked for the Barbie Cruise ship, and Santa said "ok", but he didn't bring it for her. She definitely was sour about the whole situation. So this year, as she sat on Santa's lap, I stood behind her and listened carefully. When she asked for the cruise ship again, right as Santa was about to say ok, I gave him my "stern" eye look and shook my head no. Santa went on to tell Sophia, those are kind of hard for Santa to find, maybe he'll have to surprise her. Whew....Santa, you saved your ass this year. Of course our darling son is the exact opposite, he wrote in his letter to Santa "even if you can't bring me what I asked for, it's ok, I'll still believe in you." How cute is that. And yes, I know he's 10 and should know soon, but I just don't have the heart.



Christmas morning I heard them wake up about 5:30, and I waited for them to come get us, but the next thing I knew it was 9! The angels let us sleep in (after all Santa was up until 1 wrapping) and didn't even bother the presents until we were up! That's some self control! Santa brought Ethan the guitar he asked for and Dad made sure to get him a skateboard from his favorite store in the whole world (Of course Ronnie got his from my Mom and Jess later that day).

Santa made Sophia's day by bringing her ice skates, which were also on her list, I think she'll forgive him for last year.

We spent the rest of the day driving between families. It was really a nice holiday.

On to my Birthday... After last year I just couldn't imagine it could get better. Ronnie kept asking me where I wanted to go for dinner, but things have been rough for a lot of people this year, and its right after the holiday, so I told him I'd rather stay home. Somehow he made it better then last year! He made the whole "traditional thanksgiving dinner", and wouldn't let me help him at all. He said he invited people over, which I assumed was the usual suspects, my mom, Jess, JD, Kenna, etc. But I was surprised by everyone who showed up.

It was wonderful to be surrounded by so much love. And because we weren't at a restaurant, there was no rush to leave, and since Ronnie wouldn't let me help, I didn't have to worry about the clean up. It was nice to sit, relax, and visit with so many loved ones. My only complaint is that they brought presents. All I want is their company..so next year NO PRESENTS!
New Years was another somewhat uneventful evening. Ronnie and I took the kids to dinner, then we went over to a friends house and let the kids play video games, and just hung out for a while. Nothing spectacular. Just another nice evening with Ronnie and the kids, and some good friends.

Now for my "Resolutions"

1. Slow down the pace
2. Appreciate what I have, whatever it may be
3. Be a little selfish every so often
4. Take care of myself better, so I am able to care for others
5. Listen more, talk less
6. Never miss an opportunity
7. Exercise (this has to be on everyone's list, right)
8. Make sure to keep my Husband #1
9. Organize my life, so I can do 1-8
10. Laugh, Laugh, Laugh

Happy 2010! This is going to be a great decade!

Please Donate!

I have been heartbroken over the reports, pictures, and video coming out of Haiti. I can't describe to you the sickness I've felt for the helplessness I have been overcome by. I can't imagine what these people are going through. My heart breaks for each and every one of them. Empathy is my Achilles heal, but I can't imagine feeling any other way then I feel now. It reminds me how lucky we all truly are. We all have our problems, and so many are going through financial struggles, but even at the worst, we should all be thankful.

I don't care where you donate, but PLEASE, have some compassion and donate, even if its $5, you can't imagine how much that can do. Please make sure your donations are made to a reputable organization. Below are some tips listed on MSNBC to help recognize scams:

• Ignore unsolicited emails, and do not click on links within those messages.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via email or social networking sites.
• Be cautious of emails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because the files may contain computer viruses. Open attachments only from known senders.
• Decline to give personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions.
• Make contributions directly to known organizations, rather than relying on others who claim in emails that they will channel the donation to established groups.
  

I'm donating to Doctors Without Borders. The reason being, this organization is already set up and assisting the injured. Over 1,000 people have received treatment thus far in tented facilities they have set up near the building they were previously set up in. They have several planes ready to send more medical supplies, including an inflatable hospital with two operating theatres. They have 80 additional staff members, including surgeons and anesthetists, ready to go. And after doing the little research I'm able to do, lets be real, we don't have a lot of time here, the money you donate can go far:

Your Donation-What It Can Provide

$35-Two high-energy meals a day to 200 children

$50-Vaccinations for 50 people against meningitis, measles, polio or other deadly epidemics

$70-Two basic suture kits to repair minor shrapnel wounds

$100-Infection-fighting antibiotics to treat nearly 40 wounded children

$250-A sterilization kit for syringes and needles used in mobile vaccination campaigns

$500-A medical kit containing basic drugs, supplies, equipment, and dressings to treat 1,500 patients for three months

$1000-Emergency medical supplies to aid 5,000 disaster victims for an entire month

$5500-An emergency health kit to care for 10,000 displaced people for three months
Pray for these people and their nation.

We may not personally know anyone from Haiti, but it shouldn't matter, we are all children of God!