Christmas '11 and a New Year's Resolution

I can't believe how fast time flies! Christmas, and everything that goes along with it, has ALREADY come and gone. Derek and I had a wonderful time celebrating with our friends and family. We are so blessed to have so many people in our lives that truly care about us. We love you all!

Charlie Fox, my precious little nephew,

watching all the Christmas action.

Four of my favorite people in the entire world!

William, Lucy, Maddie, and Derek

(D looks more excited than the kids!)

We all got Toms for our gift from mom. So cute!

New Year's will be here in just a few short days. My only resolution for 2012 is to enjoy every single second of it. I have so much going on this upcoming year and so much to be thankful for. I don't want to take a single minute for granted! I'm going to enjoy my last semester of nursing school (YIPEE!), enjoy graduation in May, enjoy the RN boards/NCLEX exam this summer (yeah, right...), enjoy the rest of Derek and I's engagement, and enjoy wedding planning with my mom, sisters, and friends. Most of all I'm going to enjoy marrying my best friend this year. Even though I want to wring his cute little neck sometimes, I wouldn't change a single thing about him. He makes me laugh more than anybody else in this world. He can change my mood with just a hug. I couldn't ask for a better guy to spend the rest of my life with and I am SO excited to marry him. Love you, Derek Jo.  :)

I found this on Pinterest -- "Twenty-one Suggestions for Success." I think they apply to a successful New Year and I would like to suggest them to you. I hope to follow these rules more often this year:

1.) Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness (or misery).

2.) Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent.

3.) Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

4.) Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

5.) Be forgiving of yourself and others.

6.) Be generous.

7.) Have a grateful heart.

8.) Persistence, persistence, persistence.

9.) Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.

10.) Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

11.) Commit yourself to constant improvement.

12.) Commit yourself to quality.

13.) Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.

14.) Be loyal.

15.) Be honest.

16.) Be a self-starter.

17.) Be decisive, even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong.

18.) Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.

19.) Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.

20.) Take good care of those you love.

21.) Don't do anything that wouldn't make your mom proud.

-- H. Jackson Brown Jr.