I’m not going to sugar coat it, I love giving…and receiving… gifts. In this tough economy we all could use more love and gifts but I have to become more creative with my ideas.

In the past month I have received two awards from friends in my social networking world which have brightened up my day. The first, The Circle of Friends Award came from Tara. With this award I need to list five things about myself.

I have been so wrapped up in my children that I have had not one second over the holidays to think about my quirky attributes and what could I tell you that you don’t already know? So, instead I will share with you my New Years Resolutions that are far more revealing:

1. Search for more music. To calm the chaos, I will fix the stereo in our house and build my library, for Brevitt and I are nothing without music.

2. Practice more yoga and dance more. I used to think that I was a laid back person, people always asked me if I was from California. It seems that I have changed into a worrier.

3. Be more organized and focused on the children. No more anger and frustration only humor and patience.

4. Get established as a local travel writer and finish my book.

5. Live life through love and be more tolerant of my mother of whom I adore.

My other award, The Lovely Blog Award, came from my new friend Naomi who is a devoted member of my Aspiring Writers Club on MBC. This is the second time that I have received this award which is making me feel quite lovely at the moment despite my battle with the evil pull of the blue moon  and the freezing days spent with children who refuse to go outside.

In honor of my desire to focus more on the boys, I will not produce a new list but invite you to visit my post written back in October that lists my favorite blogs.

I’ll also leave you with an incredible project called A River Blue. Joseph Arthur and Chandler Griffin became aware of children’s choirs that were being established at IDP (internally -displaced persons) camps in northern Ugunda and set up awareness, fundraising and outreach activities in the US for this organization.

The song that is played on the highlighted link above was sent to the camps for the children to practice and whenever I hear it I get the chills.

Happy Holidays!!!