Thoughts on Haiti..

I've been hearing some of the talk going back and forth between people about money being sent to Haiti. Some people say that as Americans, we are being irresponsible to send our money there when we have so much in our own country to fix. They do bring up good points about the many many homeless families and starving elderly who have no help, no food. They think that we should be raising money to help them and that it's shameful that we are giving so much to help the people of Haiti. Wow.

It does break my heart that there are an insane amount of people who got to bed hungry every night here in the US, but I'd like to think even they are better off than the people of Haiti. I don't know. Maybe not. And I do agree that we should be doing more to help the people here in our own country that are in need.

But..

I also know the horrible conditions I've heard of and seen images of on television (so take that for what it's worth) are terrible to see. Seeing an insanely large number of human beings in completely desolate conditions makes me want to help. or at least do something. I can't imagine having the attitude that we should just sit by and watch.

I think everything we can do to help is important. No matter how small. I want to help so much. I think if I didn't have two small children who need me, I would hop on a plane and go help in person.

Maybe it's time for all of us Americans who have been blessed beyond the people of Haiti's imagination to stop being so selfish.

This video really touched me on Sunday. I'm glad to be committed to helping.

Discovery Responds to Haiti from Discovery Church on Vimeo.

Splish, Splash

He was takin' a bath!

New Addition..

One of Ella's Christmas presents was that she got her own new pet. I used to love having pets when I was a kid! I always really loved them for a few months and then they usually became my mom's pets. I would call them "mine", but my mom had to do all the work to take care of them! So. I tried to keep this in mind when we got one for Ella. We also had to keep in mind that we have a dog that I already care for and a bird that is "Randy's" that I usually take care of, too.

We decided to start off easy and went with fish. We got her a little gallon and a half tank and we were going to get her just a couple of goldfish, but ended up deciding on a Beta. She is very fascinated by fish so we are going to see if she stays interested or if she gets bored with it. If she seems to enjoy the fish, then we would like to eventually get a bigger tank since Randy and I both like having fish as well.

When we asked Ella what she wanted to name her fish, she was very quick to answer that his name should be E-L-L-A. "But honey that spells your name..why don't we pick a different name for your fish..?" and Ella answers, "Hmm..okay! E..L...L...A"

So right now we have been calling it Miss Fishie. It actually started out being called Mr. Fishy by Ella, but since "he" lives in a pink room with pink decorations in "his" tank. I have finally got her to catch on to the "Miss" part. So it's usually Miss Fish or Miss Fishy.

Really original, I know.

More pictures of Miss fish in her new home to come soon, but Blogger is acting funny right now. I'll try again in an hour or so!

It's that time of year!

Hope everyone is ready for a New Year! I sure am!!

It's probably been years since I've given myself an official "New Year's Resolution". This year I decided to set some goals for myself and really stick to them.

The first I suppose is the usual one that everyone always picks. Health. I've decided to join a gym and start exercising on a regular basis. I'm really excited to get started soon and I am really determined to keep it up!! Sometimes it's so easy to start things at the beginning of the year and slowly let them slip away as time passes. I really hope this doesn't happen, but I guess it will just take a lot of commitment on my end!

The second is the one that is most important to me. It's to put my family first. I know that sounds like a no brainer, but it's very easy for me to let other people interfere with that. I have always been a "people pleaser" by nature. I just really love being available and it brings me joy to help people out. Only problem is that because so many people know they can always count on me, I tend to be busy and tied down all week. I have decided that this year I am going to take a little break from the craziness! I was cleaning the house a few weeks ago and feeling completely overwhelmed with all of the things I wanted to get done and needed to get done. That's when it really hit me that I have been doing so much for other people that I have not given my own household the time it needs. I only work ONE day a week..there is no reason for me to be behind on stuff! But in reality there is because I am constantly on the go and doing other things. SO! This year, I am going to do a better job at enjoying every second with my family and and giving 100% to my job as wife and mother. After that, I will be giving and serving at church because I know it's something God has called me to do and it brings me alot of happiness, and after that, if there is any room left...I may be able to help other people out. But please don't take it personally if I have to tell you "no" this year.

Family First this year, because my family deserves to have the most of their Wife and Mama!

Here is a little recap of our 2009 in pictures. Amazing how much can happen in a year.

Here's to a wonderful Twenty TEN!