New Years Resolutions...version 2011

BOOOOO Resolutions. You mock me.
same old same old.  start off strong...then usually every single one is broken by March.
No I am serious this time...blah blah blah.


Lets see, what can I put on the list...
This is the year I am going to lose all the weight I want(just like in versions 2004,2005,2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
I am going to do a better job of reading scriptures(see versions 2000 through 2010)
I am going to drink less pop and drink more water(also see version 2000-2010)
I am going to cook more and go out to eat less(see versions 1997 through 2010)
I am going to watch my mouth and use less "colorful language (versions 1987-2010)
I am going to spend less time watching television and more time reading (versions 2009 and 2010)
I am going to do a better job of keeping up with the housework(v. 1997 through 2010)

Seriously though, I have good intentions. I WANT to do better. I really do start off strong and then generally taper off and completely quit by April fools Day.  Guess who's the fool now? ME, thats who.

So I have given up on making strong resolutions.  No more I WILLS.  I am the "I will try and see how far we get" kind of gal this year.  No promises, no letdowns or feeling bad about myself because of my lack of willpower.  The problem with hard resolutions and I WILLS is if I break it one day, I feel the need to no longer continue.  I mean whats the point,?? I already broke my resolutions, might as well scratch that one off the list and beat myself up for being a resolution LOSER.
So this is the year of New Years (Tentative) resolutions and try-outs.
I will try to lose more weight. I will try to cut out pop and drink more water, I will try to cook more and eat out less. I will try to curb my tongue, I will try to make it to the library and read more books and cut out some of the television in my life. I will try and do a better job of the housework and not rely on my poor husband so much. I will TRY and if I fail, there is always tomorrow to try again.

So here is to 2011. The year of "Lets see what happens" and "Maybe this time it'll stick!"
now excuse me while I go get some Chinese food and Coke...^#&@(*&@!!!

Sarah

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I admit it. I am lazy.  I had every intention of sending out Christmas Cards.
In fact, I even had our Family Portraits taken this summer, with the thought of making photo cards to send out to friends and family.  I imagined their faces as they opened the envelope, and out slid the uber cute McBride family. hmmmm.  Instead you get this:

Its the best I could come up with in a days time.

You know some of those uber sickly sweet form letters you get??Usually from the Overachieversons. They want everyone to know how PERFECT their family is. Out of 10 christmas letters, usually there is that ONE  that is over the top... Oh Muffy made the deans list for the 14th straight year in a row?? or Susan and Bob went on a tour around the world because they won the lottery.  Or Little Joey is just an absolute delight. ALl his friends and teachers say he is their favorite.  Such a popular little guy.

Well, here at the McBride household, there is no such nonsense.
So here is my letter:

This year Charles and Sarah hardly saw each other at all.  With Charles working nights, and Sarah Working days it is amazing they are still married.
Charles works for Sprint, yet dreams of going back to college AGAIN. He hates his job, but works to pay the bills and provide us with practically free cell phone service, insurance and other benefits.
Sarah went back to work Full time at Hair CLub for Men and Women.  She can honestly say she loves her job. Unfortunately her housework has been sorely neglected, and the kids are lucky if their socks match in the mornings.  At least they are both the same color. No one will know.
Sarah would LIKE to say she lost a bunch of weight this year, sadly 20 pounds was all she managed...but hey 20 is better than nothing.
Peter is doing well. His heart is amazing, and he has been feeling well and doing well.  He loves Battle Force 5, and Transformers. In fact he loves them so much he wants to legally change his name to Sherman or Stanford so he can be just like the BF5 team. He is in 4th grade this year and is bringing home math homework that is NOT taught the same was as when mom and dad were in school. He likes to watch movies, race Mario Karts and help cook.  he is an expert smoothie maker. Being 10 he is getting to the point where everything is "mom, dont embarass me".We would like to say he helps out around the house without complaining, but since we cant, then we wont mention it.
Finn is in 2nd grade and full of energy(read: waaayyyy too bubbly).  He is a joy and has such a zest for life.  He loves to write stories in his notebook (amazing ants, Hanukkah Goblins and more), play the wii, jump on the trampoline and eat eat eat.  he is growing so fast we can hardly keep clothes on him that fit. He does very well in school and is in the highest reading group. He also gets notes home from his teacher that are eerily reminiscent of the notes his mom used to get home from school (Finn is a social butterfly. Finn needs to work more and talk less. Finn needs to worry more about his own work and less about what other people are doing...).  Finn is a love bug.  Finn works hard around the house...if financial recompensation is in the works.  he is saving for a Nintendo DS and REALLY wants to save his allowance to buy it himself.

Skittles and Rusty are the two new additions to the family.  They were two little orange tabby cats that were found in a nearby neighborhood. We brought them home and they are an absolute joy.  They are so sweet and loving and CUTE as can be! Of course they are like CHILDREN and are into EVERYTHING.  I feel like I am constantly hearing Baging and skittering. Wonder if they will be as cute and sweet and loving when we take them to get "tutored".(snip snip boys!!).

This year we did lots of fun things: we went to Virginia Beach and saw and did lots of fun things. We went to Colonial Williamsburg (mom we're bored. This isnt cool. This is boring. We hate history....), air and space museum, Battleship Wisconsin and the Beach.  We went to the fireworks show here in Charlotte at the Baseball game and saw the largest 4th of July fireworks display in the Southeast.  It was amazing, as always.
We had to say goodbye to an old friend (my 1995 Mitsubishi Galant) and got 2 new ones(Hello VW Jetta and Kia Spectra).
We also got to Go up to Michigan and visit my aunt and uncle and Grandma. That was fun. We discovered the GIANT marshmellows make fantastic smores, that Vernors Gingerale is still as good as we remember and that 2 boys and 12 hours of driving do not mix well.
Thanksgiving was fun. All the Koch Children under one roof again for the first time in several years. Great food, fun times, and two nephews that are so grown up I feel like the crypt keeper I am getting so old...



All in all 2010 was a great year.  Looking forward to 2011 and all that it brings for us.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Sarah, Charles, Peter and Finn McBride