Take Your Daughter to Work Day

Danny and Valerie came to visit me the other day and brought me some lunch. Valerie loved hanging out and now asks to come visit every day. She kicked me out of my chair and got right down to work. I may just have to find her a preschool with a pre-law track.

Also, meet Grandma's new puppy, Mimi.

Isn't she cute? I almost stuffed her in my purse and made a dash back to Boise.

Take Your Friends To Work Day

I argue for a living. I also do it for fun (ask my husband). While I hope most of my arguments are a little more sophisticated than this, I've often felt that they were just as futile and ridiculous. Thanks to my favorite bloggy friend for the laughs!

Happy New Year

We did more than dream of a white Christmas this year...

The holidays came and went in a flash - as did all of my good intentions for blogging. I didn't even make it home with any photos from Christmas morning at my parents' house; they're all on my mom's camera. We had a wonderful time in the winter wonderland of Eastern Idaho. I haven't seen that much snow in years. The joy of Christmas was renewed for us as we watched Valerie experience it all. She loved every minute of the festivities, and she cried when we took down the Christmas tree and the inflatable snowman. I almost did too; I get a bit of the post-holiday blues every year.

(Putting together a Dora Puzzle)

( Playing dress-up at Grandpa's)

Despite the wretched fact that I don't have another paid holiday until Memorial Day, I am very excited about starting 2009 and planning for all the potential it holds. This is a big year for me - I'll be 30 in April. I'm freakishly enthusiastic about it. I have pages of goals and aspirations, and I'm looking forward to celebrating every day.

I found the list below on another blog, Patches and Paws, and I may have to make some small additions to my plans. She and her friends fill out the list at the beginning of the year, and then, at the end of the year, they review what they have accomplished.

In 2009, I will:
1. Believe in ...
2. Give up ...
3. Attend ...
4. Invite ...
5. Visit ...
6. Listen to ...
7. Save up for ...
8. Spend more ...
9. Develop a new hobby:
10. Devote a day to ...
11. Taste ...
12. Try ...

And here is their list for 2008:

In 2008, I will:
1. Take a trip to ...

2. Overcome my fear of ...

3. Try ...

4. Take a stand on ...

5. Recommend ...

6. Read ...

7. Quit ...

8. See ...

9. Send a letter to ...

10. Begin ...

11. Learn ...

12. Continue ...

I'm going to have to take some time to think about the lists above. What do you have planned? We hope everyone had a magical holiday season, and we wish you a year full of achievement, happiness, and adventure.