Second Term, Spring Creek Hawk's Nest

Once again, the nest is filled with Hawks.

Requirements are pretty stringent, 

especially the attendance one, 

but due to absolutely zero winter illness so far, we made it. 

Great job, Hannah and Will.

Yesterday at Smiths.

Eleven dollars even.

Sweet.

Ode to January.

This is what I have done so far this month (that my 46 year old brain can remember):

Went to book group..twice.
Went off sugar.
Went back on sugar.
Learned to make home made wheat thins.
Saw Extemely Loud and Incredibly Close 
Went to the temple 3 times.
Made dinners for 2 families.
Went to a sealing.
Went to a wedding reception
Visited my rheumatologist..
Went to two baby showers.
Canned my own refried beans and black beans.
Started an intense Book of Mormon reading program with my family...(fulfilling the Virtue requirement in YW)
Read four books.
Watched the entire first season of Downton Abbey-(love-love)
Went to RS enrichment night.
Did my Visiting Teaching.
Went to an Emergency Preparedness class.
Hit an awesome cereal sale...
Went to a Seminary fireside with one daughter and listened to the other daughter sing in the seminary choir..
Had lunch at my former bishop's new and STUNNING home.
Subbed for Cub scouts.
Did a science fair experiment with my son.
Went to New Beginnings with my daughters.
Participated in a couple of Saturday choir practices...(in addition to Sundays)
Listened to my daughter and my husband give most excellent talks...
Read a book out loud from start to finish with my son.
Watched a  Republican Presidential Debate.

Even with all of this, 
why does January always feel like the most boring month of the year?

State of the Union...

So I got this email from my brother today saying:

"If you guys happen to watch the State of the Union address tonight, watch closely as the president walks out onto the House floor....the handheld camera backpedaling with him will be yours truly....."

To which I replied:

"Wasn't planning on watching---I KNOW the state of the union...but I will watch now (at least the beginning)."

And so I did. For 5 minutes.

Here is what I saw:

One of my most favorite people, with three of my least.

No offense.

It's Here...

FINALLY!

Music For Your Sunday Evening.

I'm not necessarily an Alex Boye fan, 

but I LOVE this song.

(I Want Jesus to Walk With Me...)

I Fibbed.

This January I think about more than  just beaches and cookies.

I think about politics and the future of our country, ALOT.

Remember this man?

The man from whom we learned that character 

really should matter in a President?

And remember this man?

 The president who taught us that character is, in fact, everything?

I am seriously bummed tonight.


Newt Gingrich won handily in South Carolina.


Mr. Gingrich has some major character issues.


But more than that, he has some major policy issues.

You're familiar with this man:

Newt agrees with him on that huge government takeover that tramples 
personal freedom, called universal health care. 

That's a deal breaker for me.

In a big way.

Tonight I am sick with worry.

But tomorrow, 

I'll remember that this man...

...is truly in charge.

Shabbat Shalom.

Please Hurry February.

In the midst of the January blahs, 

my mind is thinking of just two things, 

back and forth, back and forth...

Beaches...

..and cookies.

...and beaches

...and cookies.

See, I told you. 

January blahs.

Art On A Sunday Afternoon.

We are duck tape intensive around here.

A little bit of creativity...

...inspires this masterpiece.

Hmmm, someone forgot to measure first....

For My Dad.

A handsome picture of Mitt Romney on my blog.

(You know I love you Dad.)

We Have A Bird Named Suki.

She lived a very boring life. 

Solitary, with just a mirror and a ladder for excitement. 

 Then she discovered popcorn.

Her life has never been the same.

Finally, Snow.

Guess who got private snowboard lessons from the Master?

Yeah, he rocked that hill...

(you know, the one right next to our house?)

And of course, a snow battle was waged wherein Will claimed part of the victory...

We are hoping that we will see a little more of this stuff before spring.

On My Docket For January.

Here's what I'm reading.

Seriously.

Some, simultaneously, and others in order of importance, (meaning just in time for my book groups...)

Most however, are just because someone recommended them.

Awesome.

A Good Night.

 

Rick Santorum's virtual tie in Iowa last night makes me giddy with excitement. If you care, read more about it here.

Another Sunday, Another Birthday.

Cassidy turned 14 this weekend. 
Here are the pictures to prove it:

Someone is obviously Team Peeta.

Yep, pretty sure.

Janis in a Yahtzee challenge...

And Christine got a haircut.

T

Until next time...

Shabbat Shalom.