My Goals for 2009

I don't really like to make resolutions. Mainly because I'm not very good about following through. I also feel like a failure when I don't succeed. I've had a good year and I can't think of anything I can complain about. I'm sure there's lots of things I could do better. With the start of a new year it give us an opportunity to turn over a new leaf. I decided to set some goals for the new year. I want to see how well I can do. So, here are my goals for 2009.

1. Read the Book of Mormon

2. Go to the Temple once a month

3. Learn to love my callings

4. Study and keep up with Sunday school lesson

5. Love my family more deeply

6. Ace my citizenship test

7. Keep up with my weight loss program

8. Pay off my debts before the end of the year

9. Save up money to take Ammon to Mexico

10. Buy a new car

11. Save up money for a 2010 winter get-away with Alan

12. Read the Twilight series

13. Read Preach My Gospel

14. Paint Ammon's Bathroom

15. Paint Sam's Room

16. Clean and Organize my Bedroom

17. Be a better missionary

18. Take a college course

19. Go to Oregon for Christmas

20. Redo my Kitchen

There you have it. I'm feeling hopeful that I can do this. I tag everyone who reads this blog to make your list of goals. Have a very happy 2009!!!!!

The Mystery Gift by Alan Miller

As a TV news anchor, I occasionally receive some strange phone calls. I love conspiracy theorists the best. Back in September or October ( I can't remember exactly when), I got a call from a woman who works at the Tesoro gas station on State Street, right off I-94. She said someone had dropped off a tube with my name on it. It was actually a voice message, and I didn't give it much thought, thinking they must be mistaken. I wasn't expecting anything since no one told me anything about it. I finally called back, and the lady said the tube had my name on it, but she didn't remember who brought it. So a few days later, I finally went up there to take a look at it. Yes, it had my name on it, all right. And it also said don't open until December 25th.

Did it come from some deranged stalker? Why would he/she entrust the package to a gas station attendant? It's for moments like this that we have an unlisted phone number. Perhaps the mystery would be revealed on Christmas Day.

When we finally opened the tube, things became a bit more clear. It was a much larger version of a picture we already have on our living room wall. It's "A Farewell to Arms" by Steven Neal of Pendleton, Oregon. He had used my brother-in-law, sister-in-law and nephews as models in the original painting he had done, and Ana had requested a bigger portrait from members of the family. We figured out it came from Ana's sister Elena.

But there's still one big question. Who delivered it? If it was family, why in the world didn't they stop by and say hello? If it was someone else, did he/she really think that my name is so well-known in Bismarck that no matter where it was dropped off, someone would easily be able to track me down? At any rate, thanks to whoever preferred to remain anonymous.

Getting ready for Christmas

I love everything about Christmas. I look forward to having our family together, sending Christmas cards, the music, and celebrating the birth of our Saviour. There's so much to do to get ready. These are just a few things on our list.

1. Hang up the Christmas lights. It's not an easy task! The roof is steep and I get nervous about Alan climbing on top. I'm grateful he didn't fall off. Of course it doesn't hold a candle to the Solomon house but maybe next year we'll get more creative and do it when it's warmer. Honestly this is the earliest we've ever hung our lights.

2. Get plane tickets for the girls to come home. Sorry no pictures of this wonderful event.

3. Take Ringo to the groomers. He had to get ready for the girls too. He even got a Christmas scarf from the groomers. He looked so handsome.

4. Put up the Christmas tree. Here Alan is trying to explain to Sam how to hook the stand to the pole. We all know how well that went.

5. Fix the broken branch or at least try.

6. Decorate the tree. I'm pleased with the way it turned out. The boys did a good job! Sam took these pictures.
7.Hang up the beautiful stockings which were lovingly made by my lovely niece Jessica. They are the nicest ones we've ever had.

8. Pick up the girls from the airport. I was actually worried they wouldn't make it because we were in the middle of a blizzard. I felt bad that they had to come home to subzero temperatures. On the way home from the airport we got a flat tire. It was freezing and we just wanted to get home. We had to call our friend Spencer to come get us. Poor guy he had to shovel his way out of his driveway. He had to leave the warm comforts of home to come rescue the stranded Millers. Thanks Spencer we really appreciate it!! Did I mention that his wife is just as wonderful! She sent warm potato soup and it was delicious!! Thanks Beth!

9. Let the games begin! What's coming home without a friendly game of Monopoly and Sing star?



That's about it. It's been fun having the girls home and the time seems to going by way too fast. They'll be gone before you know and the house will be quiet again. As far as being ready we're almost ready. Believe it or not I'm not feeling the stress at all and that's a good thing!

Finally!!!!!!!!

In August I applied for my Citizenship. This is something I've wanted to do forever! Being briefly detained at the Canadian border twice motivated me more. What's kept me from doing it has always been about finances. I had started the process before Samuel was born In 1995. It cost about $95.00. I thought about it again four years later but the cost had gone up to over $200.00. Over the years the cost kept climbing. Today the cost is over $600.00. I decided I better do it before it cost me an arm and a leg! I just couldn't delay it any longer.

In September I received notice I needed to get digital finger prints done in Fargo. I got that done in October.

Since then I've just been waiting to hear about my status. I thought I was in for a lonnng wait! We were told it could take up to a year. In the meantime the best I could do is be patient and study for my civic's test.

Today I received a letter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It was my official notice for my my citizenship test.

I'm so surprised it happen this quickly but grateful and excited! Yes, I shed some tears of Joy! I have always been grateful to live in this beautiful land. Grateful for the sacrifices of my parents. Now, I don't have to be a silent voice. I look forward to the next election when I will feel like an official citizen of this great land we call America. God Bless America!! Yahoooooo!!!

Vermont Part One

After our wonderful train ride a hotel sounded really nice. Sorry I didn't get a picture of it. It was a quaint colonial style building. It was on the campus of Williamstown College. It was such a beautiful campus. All the homes around it were big with a lot of charm. Just my cup of tea! If you know me and you saw these houses you would say "that's an Ana house". Anyway we spent one night there and the next day headed to Vermont.

Our first stop was at the Vermont Country Store. There was so much to look at and we didn't get enough time to shop. Of course we were the last ones on the bus when it was time to leave. Alan was always looking for the unusual and he found a soda called Moxie. Its a cross between root beer, coke and cough syrup. Can you say NASTY? Believe me it was disgusting!!!!!! Our next stop was The Calvin Coolidge Museum. I'll write more about that on next travel blog. Enjoy!

For Olivia

Happy belated birthday our sweet Olivia! We didn't forget your special day just had some sickness going around. Then Thanksgiving came and we got way busy. Anyway, I thought it would fun to go down memory lane. I took this picture of you when I came to see you for the first time. You were only a few weeks old. You slept in a stroller .You liked this big bear that made comforting sounds.Like the kind you heard when you were in mommy's tummy. I believe Tia Ines gave it to you. I slept nearby keeping watch over you. I loved every minute. Can you believe you were ever this tiny?
As you can see we got along quite well. At least you put up with your crazy Tia who couldn't get enough of you. I loved watching you with your daddy who could always get a smile out of you. Even when you cried you were adorable. I think you didn't like that crazy hat that's why you were crying. Mom really liked it and we had to get a picture.

We loved you coming to visit us. We got you and your Mom all to ourselves and you can see there was no shortage of love to go around. You enjoyed all the attention and Uncle Al took good care of you. You slept in our room so your Mom could get some sleep. You got up during the night a lot. We were happy to get up and take care of you.

Your cousins had to get in the act too. They loved playing with you and entertaining you. Can you see how happy you made us. We feel so blessed to be part of your life. We feel blessed to have this fun memories to look back on.

Ammon loved feeding you and we loved giving you a bath in our kitchen sink. We hope you enjoy looking at these pictures and know how much you are loved.

We hope you had a fabulous day on your birthday. We wish so much we could of been there with you. It's fun to see what a wonderful young lady you're turning out to be. All the fun things you are doing like learning to play the piano, reading your Nancy Drew books, developing your faith. Being a good big sister and a good helper to your Mom.

We loved you as a baby but we love the person you are today. Happy Birthday we love you!

Hugs and kisses and more hugs and kisses, hugs,kisses,kisses and more hugs!!!

Welcome To Whevever I Am!

Today is my Birthday! I'm completely okay with getting older. I don't mind getting wrinkles or age spots. I do mind my hair going gray, gaining weight, losing my teeth and getting facial hair. Thank goodness for my hairdresser Tina she will never let me go gray. She can take care of facial hair, too! I'm working on the weight thing and I'm not going to lie. It has been hard!! As far as my teeth go, so far so good. Overall, I think I look pretty dang good for my age!! And I certainly don't feel my age at all.

At 40 something I'm just a hop, skip and a jump to 50. I'm okay with that, too. I would never want to be 13,16,19,22 (those are my children's ages) ever again! Not because those were bad ages but because I know better now. At 21, my eyes were wide open. I figured out who my real friends were, that I wasn't as grown up as I thought I was, and that life was no life without the gospel. Those were painful lessons and I wouldn't want to learn them again. I do appreciate the experience but once was enough for me. Yes, I'm happy where I am, still learning but with more confidence.
At this point in my life I appreciate my trials. They don't seem like such a burden and weight on my shoulders. I know I can pray to Heavenly Father and he lifts me every time. I have hope and know there's a light at the end of the tunnel. I trust that Heavenly Father's plan is better than mine. I appreciate the blessings in my life. I'm satisfied with what I have. I've learned that my joy has more to do with the people in my life than with material things. Spending time with the ones I love has more significance and is far more valuable! It is priceless!

Making memories with the little ones in my life keeps me smiling, especially on those days I don't feel like smiling. I just think of them and I remember how simple things are. I remember the beauty in life. I love the honesty of their hearts and the way they love without holding back. It's a lesson for all of us. To be honest, being a child again wouldn't be a bad thing. I do miss that carefree life. I should have enjoyed it a lot more. So they really are the ones who keep me young.

They are the highlight of my life along with the rest of my family. They are where my heart is.

I don't mind getting older. And even if I did there's not much I can do about it except enjoy every minute. I'm just grateful I'm still around to enjoy it. Today I'm doing whatever I feel like doing. Maybe that will be nothing at all! Today I'm happy with who I am and what I have. My life is better than what I imagined it to be. I love Heavenly Father, I love the gospel, my family and I appreciate my friends. As I celebrate another year older I celebrate all of you . Thanks for being such a big part of my life!