New Year's Resolutions

I absolutely suck at New Year’s resolutions. I honestly can’t remember a single resolution that I’ve been able to stick with for an entire year. That is until 2009. At the beginning of this year I was in a very dark place. So I decided to make a fun New Year’s resolution – to see more movies in the theater in 2009 than I did in 2008. Honestly, this wasn’t going to be a hard task as I can only remember seeing one movie in the theater in 2008. Lori, Christy and I went to see Mama Mia. Maybe I saw more than that, but since most of 2008 is now a blur to me, that’s the only one I can remember. Maybe because it’s also the last movie I saw with Christy.

Anyway, Lori told me last night that she was going to make a list on her blog of the movies she had seen this year. So I’ve decided to do the same. I’ll mark my top three favorites as I list them.

Four Christmases (yes, we saw it after Christmas)
#1 favorite – Slumdog Millionaire
The Reader (somebody slap me, please)
Doubt (this one might be #4)
New In Town
Gran Torino (mostly a guy movie but also woman friendly)
The Wrestler (2nd most depressing movie I’ve ever seen!)
Seven Pounds
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (not a Brad Pitt fan, but I loved this movie)
Last Chance Harvey
Revolutionary Road (also very depressing)
Taken (loved it)
Duplicity
Knowing (OMG – I HATED this movie. Nick, I try hard to love you but you’ve got to stop starring in crap!)
Adventureland (Kyle desperately wanted us to watch this movie, but I’m not sure if we actually saw it at the theater or rented it, but I’m listing it anyway.)
The Soloist (great flick)
Up
The Taking of Pelham 123
The Proposal (if you haven’t seen this movie, rent it, it’s great and Betty White is hysterical!)
My Sisters Keeper (Kristen, I’m not sure what we were thinking when we went to see this one! Ultra sad.)
#3 favorite of 2009 – (500) Days of Summer (this is a GREAT movie!)
Julie & Julia
Couples Retreat
Amelia (got horrible reviews but I really liked it.)
A Christmas Carol
#2 favorite of 2009 – The Blind Side (awesome!)
Sherlock Holmes
Did You Hear About the Morgans (funny movie)

That’s my list. I actually enjoyed keeping my resolution. Plus, it makes watching the Oscars a lot more interesting when you’ve actually seen some of the movies nominated.

Still trying to decide on a 2010 resolution,
Julie

Christy's Stocking Update

Greetings friends and family,

I hope this finds all of you happy, fat and sassy after the holiday season. We had a very blessed Christmas and pray that each of you did as well.

I wanted to update you on Christy’s Stocking. Once again, with your generosity, we were able to raise over $2200.00 in gift cards plus LOTS of DVD’s, books, puzzles, crayons, coloring books, activity books and toys!!!! What a tremendous blessing!!

I will never be able to adequately thank you for your overwhelming generosity. I received a note this morning from Judi, the Child Life Coordinator at Children’s. Here is a small quote from her e-mail…..

”Thank you very much for the gift cards and other gifts. We put together gift baskets for 49 children. Christy’s Stocking will continue to give throughout the year and make it easier for families to come back and forth, to stay for weeks, or to celebrate special occasions. Thank you!!!!”

I continue to be amazed at how God uses each of you and the gifts you provide to Christy’s Stocking. You have no idea how happy my heart feels each time I think of Christy’s amazing spirit living through your gifts.

Those of you on facebook have already heard the story that I shared but it certainly merits being retold here. The first basket put together last year was for a young boy who was released from the hospital just a couple of days before Christmas. He was going home to a house without running water or electricity. Judi was able to give his family enough gas cards for the trip home, a restaurant card for a nice Christmas meal and enough Wal-Mart cards to provide gifts for the family. Judi had tears in her eyes as she shared this story with us and as I stood there listening, I was a blubbering mess. I couldn’t help but picture Christy’s face with that big ear to ear smile of hers. I know that she would be so thrilled at how you blessed this family and so many others.

Thank you just doesn’t seem to be enough but I offer it up to you in hopes that you can catch a small glimpse of our gratitude. I am looking so forward to spreading even more love in 2010!

Love to all,
Julie



DVD's, book, toys, etc donated to Christy's Stocking 2009.




Gift cards donated to Christy's Stocking 2009.





Josh, Kristen, Julie, Kyle & Chris delivering Chirty's Stocking 2009 to Children's Hospital.