Resolutions

Now you have to hold me accountable....

Here we go.

I want to start looking as pretty as I know I can. For my husband, for my family, and geehz for other peoples eyes....but for myself more than anything. Just spending a few minutes a day on me...i think it might be the boost I need. I am not talking hot curlers and blue maskera...I am talking eye liners and lip gloss.

I want 2010 to bring change. I want my dream to finally come true. The dream I have been working so hard to achieve. The dream the has been in every second of my thoughts and prayers. My dream is coming true this year. 2010 is my year.

Lastly, I want 2010 to be the year I read the bible. I do not want to be unrealistic and say read the whole bible front to back. I just want it to be real part of my day to day life. I want to see the words become real in my life. I want to give the holy spirit something to work with. I want the spirit to work in me.

Now most importantly, I want-NO-I will- put my family first. Every choice, every action, every thought, and every dollar.

As for 2009. Just as I thought it would be. Work hard. Play with friends. Cherish every second with family and grow....inside and out just a year to grow...to get ready.

Ready for 2010.

I wish blessings and peace and JOY to you. I love you all. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Happy New Year. May all YOUR dreams come true.

The professionals.

These two were not only adorable but they new how to handle the cold weather. They cuddled right up to stay warm.

Great grandma is many things....but it is her laugh I love the most. She lights up a room, cuddles with kids and stays up late taking down the boys with a game of cards. i love spending time with her.

Ski-doo

These things move fast....really fast. So fast I had to kick Wade out of the drivers seat so I could so faster...yeah right...SLOWER.

Hunter loved it...he begged to go again and again.

Honestly it is really fun-if and only if- you are dressed right and your glasses don't fog.

A word to the wise for next time...wear your contacts!

We are getting along...

The snow and I...that is. The whole family went out on a horse drawn sled ride through the country. This is one of the Little family traditions and it was neat for me to be a part of it.

It was beautiful. And COLD. But more beautiful than anything else.

Hunter did well for most of the ride. Just the last few minutes he decided he was done....really done. He endlessly repeated "CCCCold....BBBBBuurrrrr."

Rick and Emily rode on the sled that was being pulled behind and ohhh did they have a blast.

Then there are these two. Man are they like...and I can see them both in Hunter too. Neil is a man that is strong and hard working...there is not a second he is just standing still...unless he is with one of the grandkids. Neil and Wade are building a legacy with their lives...with their hard work and with their hearts.

The snow and I are getting along today....and at least for the next few days that is.

Three airports, 2 airplanes and many hours later

We made it to Canada....and every scream, kick and tear was worth it.

The first airplane ride from San Fran to Minnesota was a piece of cake...thanks to a long nap and Fraggle rock.

The second one however was horrible....and I honestly cannot blame Hunter...we were delayed, it was past midnight and I think we all were just done traveling.

I have to admit I love airports....because I love people watching....and it is one of the easiest places to eavesdrop on your neighbors converations and peak at the emails the man next to you is typing out. Don't judge me...I also try to do some good with it...like lending toys to upset children and hold open doors and anything else I can notice that might help. I like to call it paying attention to what is going on around me....ha!

Yum

Some of my favorite Christmas treats this year were old traditions and some were first time adventures.

Candy cane cookies are a main staple of every Christmas I can remember. They are a pain to make but worth every second. The slight almond flavoring, the crisp white and red colors....it makes Christmas feel right for me.

Wade loves turkey but only with Cranberry in every bite. Since the canned version is not an option....I whipped up a batch of homemade sauce....and it came out just right. Now even your standard pork tenderloin is adorned with a dabble of this red tart sauce.

I would love to share my recipes....just ask:)

I hope your Christmas was full of yummy food.

Christmas Countdown

"Unto us a child was born..."

This is the verse that resides in my heart this Christmas. It comes to mind over and over...perhaps because I have a son, or I have babies on the brain...or maybe, just maybe because I am learning just how precious a gift it was.

Hunter can say Santa. At first i was excited and we went to visit Santa. Then the more I thought about it the more I realized that he does not know how to say Jesus.

I need to talk more about Jesus. I want him to know baby Jesus.

Haircut

He is growing up to be the sweetest young man. He now sits on his own for a hair cut....and hold as still as a statue.

I love watching him interact with people. The entire time he was getting his hair cut he was talking about his grandma and how we are going to visit her. "wherez gamma" he would endlessly repeat...with his hands raised in question.

This child of mine is a hairy boy....and those of you who know me well....know where he got it. Poor Kid. I am trying to figure out what style this kid should have. Short and militant, long and hippie like, spiked, mohawk, or slicked down....it has been fun playing around.


These are the days.

Dare Devil

I remember as a kid that nothing feels better than having your parents and grandparents cheering you on...clapping, calling your name and rooting for you.

Besides the Little family Hockey nights in our living room, there are no major sports yet for Hunter....although he would count jumping the stairs as a major Olympic event...and of course we are all there cheering him along....and when we forget to clap he reminds us:)

Back to the basics

Our last night in Yosemite we lost power. Wade and I jumped in the car and went into town to buy a battery operated lantern and flashlight. We made dinner on the gas range in the dark, ate dinner by the fire place and played with the flashlights under blankets.

At moments it was cold and frustrating. But more than anything it was just what we needed.....to stop and just enjoy the basics.

Good people.

A warm fire.

Good conversation.

I look back on that night now and realize that I should turn it all off more often.

Giving it all I Got

Today is the annual Almond Conference.

I look forward to going every year. My time there is full of learning the latest policies and tends in the industry as well as building new relationships that could lead to a better, stronger Monte Vista Farming.

I also enjoy running into old friends. People that used to work for me, people I buy equipment and supplies from and people I only see once a year at this conference.

Then there are the people I try and avoid. The sales man that unfortunately has my business card and calls once a week. The grower that wants to complain about everything. And my most challenging....The people I used to work for. I only see them this one time year and it stirs up all types of emotion.

I hate that things are not great between us. It makes my stomach turn to know people out there might not think the best of me....just because I left for another job.

I hope I get the chance to say hello and begin building a new bridge. I hope the past is the past....and that the future holds good things. They are good people....and they played a big roll in my life over that time period I worked there. They gave me more than just an opportunity, they gave me a good challenge....one that brought out the best in me. One that helped me find me.

Do you have someone in your life that you have a past with...a past you wish you could change? Today is the day to make the call, to reach out your hand, to begin again. At least you will fall asleep tonight knowing that you gave it all you got...I believe that is all God requires from me....all I got.

Things I love

I just thought I would share a few things I love about life today.

10. I love Hunter's doctor...or doctor's...they are brothers. They are wise, thoughtful, and they listen carefully. They have helped us get over the aspiration and kept the flu/colds away this year. All three of us have had the H1N1 vaccine!

9. I love all our friends and the time we spend together.

8. I love the hard times. I know they are building my strength for tomorrow's challenges. If there were never hard times...the good times would not feel so good right?

7. I love that Hunter calls my sister auntie. When he see's a picture of her his face lights up and he wonders where she is.

6. I love my stinky dog. Even when he tries to lick me to death....I still love him. He is such a sweet, loyal and handsome dog. He is patient and soft with Hunter. Knowing he will bark at the slightest noise outside makes me feel safe.

5. I love that my dream is about to come true. 2010 holds the most wonderful reality for me and my family. Have you ever dreamed, and worked hard, and prepared for a BIG dream to come true in your life....?? I just cannot wait.

4. I love my home. There are always projects I would love to dive into...like ripping out the carpet and refinishing the hard wood, or putting in granite kitchen counter tops, and so on. But more than anything, I love the character and charm of my little home. I love the layout and all the space. I love that it is full of memories, laughter and love. I love it just the way it is.

3. I love my son. He is 18 months and I love this stage of his life. I count every
second with him the best gift that Wade and God ever gave me.

2. I love my husband. I love his humor, his genius level of intelligence, and the way he loves me. He is never too proud or self consumed to love me. He puts the first things first, he deals with my moods and emotions, and he leads me.

1. I love my God. He sends me blessings that I do not deserve. He quietly guides me
in his direction. He has a plan and purpose for my life that is powerful and I cannot wait for what is next....

God is Good

God is good to me
Oh he's always been good.

I constantly catch myself singing this verse from a song I cannot put a title to. It must of been some junior high youth group song I sang every Sunday growing up.

Yosemite was amazing. God is good and as I stood on the valley floor with the most precious people in my life....I could not help from singing this verse again and again under my breath.

I think it is my theme song.

I am thinking...

That I love this little man.

I wish I lived closer to him so I could squeeze him every day.

He is sweet, funny, and so full of character.

Hunter already has the best friends!

Say Cheese

Ken took some amazing pictures of our family while we were in SLO a few weekends back.

I am at peace knowing that I will forever have this period of Hunter's life caught on film.

I feel like we have crossed a bridge from baby to toddler in the last few days. He is learning news words constantly and using them to tell us the secrets he has been holding in his heart for so long. Finally I get to communicate with my baby. I understand what he wants because he tells me.

He is excited to share his rock, his toy, his movie, his everything. Seeing the world through his eyes and with his excitement has brought a new level of joy into our lives. All of a sudden dirt clots are not gross and to be avoided, they take our breath away and bring on hours of laughter!

Confession

I do not read my bible enough.

Ok hardly ever.

That needs to change.

Thanks for letting me say that...Now I have to do something about it.

Bible on the night stand. Then I can read with Hunter for a minute before bed.

I will start tonight.

Remembrance Day

For people who do not know me, let me introduce myself.....This post is being done not by Renee but rather by Wade (Renee's Husband) and I am Canadian so thought I would like to take a moment and offer something that I am thankful for today. Today(Nov 11th) is Remembrance Day in Canada. It is often also referred to as Poppy day, Armistice day or Veterans day. This is a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War. It is observed on Nov 11 to recall the end of World War I in 1918 which formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Today I am thankful for all the sacrifice that soldiers have made to allow us the freedoms that we enjoy everyday. If anybody not from Canada has a chance to be in Canada during Remembrance Day it amazing!! You will see that starting two weeks before Nov 11 everyone will be wearing a poppy! The poppy emblem was chosen because of the poppies that bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their red color an appropriate symbol for the bloodshed of trench warfare.

Growing up in Canada all school children will have been taught an amazing poem written by Canadian military physician John McCrae who wrote it after he witnessed the death of his friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, only 22 years old, the day before.

So as each of you read the following poem please take a moment with me and thank all of the Veterans past and present who have offered so much!

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)

I am Thankful for all the HARD work

For a man that is not in love with the sea....he sure did stand there just looking at it for a long time. He was probably trying to calculate the speed of the waves or trying to understand the power of the waves and create some new way to harness it.

As for me, I am full just watching him figure it all out.

He works so HARD. Balancing budgets, making payments, playing with Hunter, doing dishes, feeding animals, programing new tools for SUN, learning new tech stuff, researching everything, answering emails, selling baseball programs, writting websites, fixing cars, renovating our home and holding me as I fall asleep each and every night.

I admire you Wade and I notice every small, medium and large thing your do for us. You are leading our family to success.

Sun or Oracle. Job or NO job. 12 children or 1. Eating out or always homecooked. New or used. Debt or paid in full. Either way I am madly in love with you. My heart is bubbling over with pride just to be called by your last name. Thank you for all your hard work to make our dream come true...

The internet

Today I am thankful for the internet and all that I have discovered through it.

I am greatful to meet and share stories with other people all this my computer screen.

I laugh, I learn, I cook and sometimes when a story like Gavin's creeps into my heart...I cry.

Today this nice lady is sharing peoples favorite posts on her website....fun reading, fun people.

Life

Take a deep breath....go on.

Now deeper.

How good does that feel to have the cool air fill your lungs?

Now gently breath out...

How refreshing. My mind is clear, my body is able and my heart is pumped and ready to go.

How GOOD to be ALIVE.

Today I am thankful for this moment. For each breath.

I am thankful for Gavin and how his sweet story has touched my life. I am thankful to be reminded that every breath is a gift from God.

To read Gavin's story click here.

My Circle

We all have people in our lives. Some make us happy, others make us laugh, others really rub us the wrong way and annoy us by trying to jump on our bed during a nap.

I have all these types of people in my life...but the people I treasure the most are my circle. They are the people that would tell me the truth, hold me accountable, call me out, hug me a bit tighter and longer after a bad day, they find true joy in my success and their hearts hurt when I fail...but more than anything they pray with me and for me....you see I believe in the power of prayer becuase I know what it has done in my life.

Today I am thankful for these people and for all their prayers.

Jillian, sweet Jillian is my freshman year roommate. I love the journey we have been on together and I love knowing that there is still along way to go...but that we will always just be a phone call away. All it takes is "hello" and I am back on my side of the room, burning music, writing in my journal and talking all night with my cherry farm girl Jill. I love her simplicity...there is right and wrong. She is as loyal and kind as they come. I am thankful for you Jillian.

Nate, Amy and growing baby Paige are precious to me. Amy and I are on the same page in life...we always have been. This girl is as REAL as they come. I love her unconditional and nonjudgmental take on life. I am so thankful for you Amy.
Ericka and this little punk have the most stories to tell about me. After living together for years Ericka knows it all and I love that we can talk about anything...even when we have completely different views and strong opinions. I learn so much from her perspective and her dedication to doing what she believes is right. She is the perfect party planner. She has an eye for making things beautiful inside and out. I am so thankful for you Ericka.
When we are together are some of the favorite times in my life. We have shared the good the bad and everything in between....and we have so much more fun to have in the years to come.

Then there is this sister of mine....who decides to steal my friends. haha. I still think that is funny she thinks that....because the truth is that I am the luckiest woman alive...my best friend, my sister is also just as close with my circle of friends as I am. It does not get any better than this Kristin. I am so thankful for you and for more reasons than this post can hold.
Oh and this girl....God has used her in BIG, LIFE changing ways. I have always admired her style and grace but more importantly her devotion to what she believes in. She knows the meaning of a hard days work. Skye lights up a room and I have always been thankful to be her friend.
Then there is K$ and Travis. K$ is Shera. I promise you that she is the true real life superwoman. Smart, strong inside and out, healthy, kind, wise and so full of solutions. I know she would drop it all and come running if I was in a moment of need. I am so thankful for you Kristin.

I hope you have friends like these people. Because these people understand that it is fun to go to Vegas and Yosemite and be in each others weddings....but the powerful moments are in prayers, tears, and years of just being there for it all.

I would not be me without all of you. I am endlessly and powerfully thankful for each one of you and the roll you play in my life today, tomorrow and forever.

More Home Renovations

On Sunday we stained our decks and fence. It took us around 5 hours and $200 bucks but it made a really big difference on the overall look in our backyard.

One piece at a time....next is weed pulling, drip line placing, planting, rocks, a play area for Hunter and area for Laredo to potty.

There is always another project!

Our Time Together

I am genuinely thankful for every second of time we spend together as a family. I can never get enough of our little monkey!

Hunter had a great time trick or treating. After the first house he had figured out you take the candy from their bowl and put it in your bucket....then he was off! He walked the entire few blocks and carried his own bucket. He would knock on the door and say "open". He was too cute!!

This Safe Place

Today I am thankful for this safe, warm and loving home that Hunter spends his week days in. Without Sonia and the day care that she provides for Hunter....Wade and I would not both be able to work....and not only just work....but KNOW that Hunter is safe, having fun and LEARNING a great deal from the older children and Sonia.

There is no place better than MY home and ME. But for today the next BEST place is SONIA. I am thankful for every moment she loves, feeds, protects and teaches Hunter.

I am Thankful for the Boss Man

Today I am thankful for this nut....

Almonds have changed my life. When I graduated college I thought I would change the world...I was full of energy and ideas. I was hired into an almond packing facility and it was the prefect place for me to not only find myself, but to mature into the woman I am today.

I have been able to travel to foreign countries, lead a team of people, work with farmers, run daily production of a large facility, deploy a custom written data base, learn a few things about computers and networks and learn from some of the finest people out there.

But then there is this man....

He snatched me from my first job and put me to work here at Monte Vista. I am so thankful for him. I am thankful for having a job and being able to help financially support my family.

I really know that God has used Jim in my life. You see.....it is because I moved to Turlock that my life really took a BIG change....the BEST change of my life....and it had nothing to do with work.

I was all alone in this new town so I went on EHarmony to find a good date.

I found more than a date I found Wade...the LOVE of my LIFE.

Through our love for each other and GOD's love for us....We had SON.

I will forever be thankful to Jim... I think about how different things would be for me if Jim never would have hired me...

I am Thankful for my girls

Oh my! I love these girls. They are so full nothing but goodness. I want to hug them and squeeze them, I want to read them stories until they fall asleep in my lap and take them on crazy adventures in the woods of Nipawin. I want to be a loving, supportive always there for them, fun aunt.

I am an aunt! I love these girls for making me that.

I love that we share our last name, and that Hunter carries some of the same blood and genetics that they do.

Look at these beauties! I see so much 'Little' in them...just like I see it in my son. I hope that they share more in life than a last name and a big head. I hope they become friends and that they walk life together sharing all of it's BIG moments next to each other.

Today I am thankful that Hunter has these girls....and that I have them too.

I am Thankful Everyday

Todays marks one month until Thanksgiving! I thought since I could never address all the things I am thankful for in one post....I would spend a month doing it! For all of you that want a daily post...well your wish is coming true this month...be thankful (haha).

Last night I started working on some Christmas presents and I was trying to edit this picture. The original was over exposed and almost yellow in color the white balance was so far off. It was so horrible I will not even show you the original. I took the picture months ago just after I got my new camera...and I obviously did not know how to use all of the high tech functions...But you know what I did get right?

I saw the raw, powerful potential of this picture. See her smile. See how she holds him close. I caught a picture of her heart in that moment and I thankfully get to save it forever.

Today,

I am thankful for photoshop... because without it this picture would have been worthless.

I am also thankful for a camera that can capture the love my mom has for my son.

More than anything...I am grateful for every day she spends with him and every ounce of love she pours into him.

Pumpkin Patch!

On Sunday we ventured out to Del Oso Family Farms and we had the best time. You all know how I love to support local family farms....and this was exactly that.

The petting zoo was one of my favorite things to do that day. They had so many baby animals...the pigs were my favorite....it takes me back to my FFA days!

Hunter had a great time. He ran from pumpkin to pumpkin wanting to take them all home...in fact he some how talked Wade into taking home the biggest pumpkin there....only 52 pounds. I do not even want to think about how we are going to carve it next weekend!

A BIG first

First pee pee in the potty!!!


And a little on me!


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