1. Stop biting nails - haven't bitten my nails since January 1 but have broken two which has never happened before...very annoying and painful; am regretting resolution.

2.  Play the piano - I tripped once and caught myself on a piano...otherwise, haven't touched one.

3.  Work out at least 5 times a week - haha I'm a failure.

4.  Eat more veggies - I ate green beans the other day...if I keep at this pace, that will be once and month and honestly, probably a record for me.

5.  Eat fewer snacky foods - I live off snack food and I suck at life!  hehe

6.  No more caffeine - perhaps I should have resolved to grow a brain before eliminating caffeine because I didn't know there was caffeine in tea; it's still better for me than pop though so an improvement, nonetheless.

7.  Read the Bible through - Ahhh sweet nectar of life.  I am actually rather victorious in the scope of this resolution.  I've read several books already and am learning a lot.

8.  Read or give away the books I own and haven't read yet - I'm trying to read two books at once and I've found that I am capable of it as long as one doesn't require much thought (i.e. LOTR - it's taking forever but I've seen the movie so I don't have to dwell too much on the familiar parts).

9.  Be kinder - somedays I am.

10.  Be more courageous - I've spoken my mind a little more than I used to...and I'm handling crazy situations a little better than I would...by trusting in God and not freaking out which is courageous in its own little way...kind of?

11.  Pray more - I am praying a lot more but I'm struggling to find my "prayer sanctuary"...you know that style of prayer or posture where you can just lose yourself in the wonder of God's presence?  I am most like that now-a-days when I pray in a group.  Much to my dismay, there is not always a group around haha.

12.  Keep in touch better - I think I have done this a little better.  I just wrote a letter to one of my best friends who is in Serbia and I called Tonia yesterday and Leslie...like, two weeks ago...and I've Myspaced with Matt. 

13.  Get cards sent out on time for their occasion - well, I've missed all the January bdays except my sisters so...awesome.  

14.  Finally mail my hair in for Locks of Love - can't really find that at the moment...a little bummed about it too.

15.  Don't assimilate my worth or talent with what others think of my worth or talents - not sure how I'm doing on this one.

The Friday before Christmas, a bunch of our friends came over to have a white elephant gift exchange and watch a movie.  After that, every one but Kait and Leslie left and the three of us stayed up until about 4am talking and watching Sense and Sensibility.  It was wonderful.  The next day, Leslie and I sort of hit the town...and then we went to a surprise party for my boss (her former boss) and stayed there until almost 11pm (we woke up at 8am, by the way).  Upon getting home, I realized that I was leaving for about four or five days and hadn't finished my laundry or packed...which totally sucked.  So I was up until 2:30am.  Then I woke up at 5:30am to get ready to go to Audubon, IA.  I was very cold and felt my throat getting scratchy.  I feared for the worst...no one wants to cough all through their husbands Christmas sermon!!!  I went to Willie's Sunday School and it was pretty funny.  Then, during church, he preached a first person narrative as King Herod (for those of you reading on too much egg nog and too little sleep, that means he told the story from his perspective) and it was very cool!!!  I also managed to keep the cough at bay for the most part.  We played 9 square for youth group and then went to a nearby care center for senior adults and did a service.  Willie has a wonderful family that he stays with in Iowa and they have been such a blessing.  They have a Newfoundland dog named "Kessy" but Willie and Dave call her "Big'un" for obvious reasons...she's huge!  But very lovable.
After the Christmas Eve service, we drove down to Nemaha to spend Christmas with Mom, Dad-bob and Shannon.  It was a great night of laughter and sharing (I got Lost season  4, an awesome Bible, and a cd which Shannon told me I wasn't getting so I had already bought it...)
Christmas Day - I just realized that I didn't take my chilli home with me...NO!!!!!!!! - we went to grandma and grandpas, had turkey, potatoes, hot homminy, stuffing, rolls, gravy, pecan and cherry pie...delicious!!!  Then we sang a lot of Christmas songs...well, mom and Shannon sang, I squeaked and squaked and added a bit of unnecessary piano.  Then we kind of made fun of mom, relentlessly (forgive us), for about ten minutes...then Shannon hit me and I hit her back and grandpa told us sternly to "Knock it off" so we calmed down. 
I must say that it's been one of the best Christmas's I can remember...worry free, surrounded by loved ones (though, not all) and very easy to enjoy despite the sickness. 
I hope all of you find yourselves as equally blessed as Willie and I have this holiday season...

Willie and I are still unsure about our holiday plans...and I have to admit that I am altogether unmotivated to establish them.  Tonia is 18 hours away...Matt - 7 hours, 57 minutes...Leslie - 6 hours, 45 minutes...Beth - only three but three more than I'd like...John will be in Kearney...and all our family is staying home this year. 
There's snow on the ground and lights up in the neighborhood...I'm drinking hot cocoa and have done plenty of Christmas shopping and yet there's so much emptiness for me this year.  I worry about my friends...and my heart hurts for those are grieving a loss for the first time this year - those families who fell victim to terror and massacre and other losses.  I just feel so sad...it doesn't feel like Christmas at all.