January

The last couple of years, our family has chosen a theme or goal to work on. This year, it was decided the McArthurs could use some work on our attitudes. So, we adopted the verse, 'let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power,' and we started off our year. Then, came January. Because it is the month of my birth, I feel like I have to defend January. While everyone finds it bleak and boring, I time after time find myself sticking up for these 31 cold days. But this year...bleh...it seemed to be bitter and long! So, I am gonna have to recharge the "do all things cheerfully" motto. Sometimes I feel like its just do all things...period...just get them done or survive them. (ie strep, croup, flu) Of course, this month did have some good times. I celebrated yet another year of life, and the festivities were fun! I mean, relatively speaking-a girl can't jump out of an airplane every year! The kids and Dave made me breakfast and dinner, bought me Just Dance 3(which we have all jammed to), and Dave and I had a night out to dinner and Brian Regan. That guy is hilarious and wild. We witnessed some valet parking attendants slam into cars, it was a memorable evening. I told Dave that one thing I don't love about my birthday is I get pampered and then have to wait 365 days for it to happen again. His smooth reply was, "You may not be pampered everyday, but you are treasured!" Cha-ching, that was a money answer! We are desperately missing snow this winter, but have managed to still keep busy with indoor entertainment. There has been hide and seek (a favorite when it is time to run out the door for church, weird how that timing is never favorable). Computer and any electronics time is a must with

these kiddos...its the time limits we struggle with! Just Dance has been great and Katelee has some really good interpretive dance moves that are inspiring. And, of course, galactic battles between princesses and Sith Lords (you star wars fans are familiar with that) and then there are many days were we lounge around and throw all cares (and hairstyles) out the window. On to the month of love, see ya next year January!