New Years Eve

The History of New Year's Resolutions

The tradition of the New Year's Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar.

With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year.

The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had.

The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of beginnings and the guardian of doors and entrances. He was always depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back. Thus he could look backward and forward at the same time. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new. The Romans began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year's Eve by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good fortune. Later, nuts or coins imprinted with the god Janus became more common New Year's gifts.

In the Middle Ages, Christians changed New Year's Day to December 25, the birth of Jesus. Then they changed it to March 25, a holiday called the Annunciation. In the sixteenth century, Pope Gregory XIII revised the Julian calendar, and the celebration of the New Year was returned to January 1.

The Julian and Gregorian calendars are solar calendars. Some cultures have lunar calendars, however. A year in a lunar calendar is less than 365 days because the months are based on the phases of the moon. The Chinese use a lunar calendar. Their new year begins at the time of the first full moon (over the Far East) after the sun enters Aquarius- sometime between January 19 and February 21.

Although the date for New Year's Day is not the same in every culture, it is always a time for celebration and for customs to ensure good luck in the coming year.

Ancient New Years

The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, Babylonians celebrated the beginning of a new year on what is now March 23, although they themselves had no written calendar.

Late March actually is a logical choice for the beginning of a new year. It is the time of year that spring begins and new crops are planted. January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.

The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to say that modern New Year's Eve festivities pale in comparison.

The Romans continued to observe the New Year on March 25, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun. In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in 153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. But tampering continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the New Year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

Vehicles

1998 626 Mazda
2006 Hyundai Sonata
1992 Honda hutchback
2006 Honda Hybrid (my favorite car)
2002 Honda oddessy (Currently for sale 13,500)
1993 volks wagon

Kasiah in training

Vehicles seem to come and go through our hands like sand. Since we have been married (4 years) these are all the vehicles that we have had since the beginning until now. Kasiah is modeling the newest one that we just bought the other week. We are currently selling our Van and will be sticking with this Red 92 volks wagon until we can buy in full a 2nd used car, only to sell them both before we leave here. Such a vicious cycle. Dustin tells me this car is me Christmas gift but I would rather have a love letter.haha

"Love Thy Neighbor"

It is Saturday the 29th and I thought this day would never come. It is a very special day because my neighbor has finally left the country.

In being brutally honest, when I first met my neighbor it was quite an overbearing experience. I seriously did not know how to perceive her but found out rather quickly that she was going to be very high maintenance. I actually cried the first 2 weeks I was here because I did not know how to tell her to slow down and back off.

I suddenly felt trapped in my new home. I just remember every time that I saw her she would always (without fail) tell me how tired I looked when I had just taken a shower, was dressed and felt great for that day. I ended up writing down how many times she said this to me. I had to stop after the 20th time. I finally told her that when she tells me how tired I look that I feel she is trying to tell me that I look like crap in a nice but round about way. she finally cut back on her rude tired remarks.

I found her lectures on how to raise my daughters without asking for her advice was getting under my skin and that you could not tell her anything because she knew everything. She seemed very closed minded and judgmental, a very selective listener and memory which made it almost impossible to have a normal conversation with her. She was rather controlling with not a humble bone in her body. Even though she was amazing at sharing and giving I felt she was just as selfish. It was very difficult for me to relate to her because the connection between us was so static that I finally realized that she just didn’t care! She just didn't care to relate to me or felt that she needed to. She had to always be different or do the opposite for her to feel important.

Luckily, I have a very strong and wonderful relationship with my Supreme being who I know is the Father of my spirit, and is all wise, and is all knowing, and is all powerful and as I turned to him for counsel of my situation with her, he always impressed me to not turn my back on her but to simply listen and to be a friend especially during this short period of time that I felt was like an eternity. (8 months)

I was just constantly wondering and trying to figure out why God had sent this woman to cross my path in life. I felt there must be a deeper reason with all these feelings that I mustered.

At first, I thought it was to pursue the interests that I have in Arts & other various talents that he has blessed me with (because she is an artist) but God whispered to me simply “No”.

Then I asked in thought “Is it to exercise my back bone and tell this Lady how I really feel about her?” and he again whispered gently to me “No”.

Of course it is always the 3^rd time that you try that there is some kind of clearance. It was more than clear to me it was too simple. How could I learn anything if I do not obey and submit myself to his counsel that has been written in stone for thousands of years? I could suddenly feel the heavens open and the arms of a loving Heavenly Father embrace me, who confirmed in my heart saying with such love, “Yes my child, You are to simply Love thy Neighbor as though loveth thyself”.

I have come to not only love my neighbor, but have opened my heart to her as a friend. I was able to finally look pass our differences and tried my very best to get along with her atleast the best that I knew how. There were times that it seemed impossible but this experience with her has drawn me to be closer to not only her as my neighbor but to my creator as well. Who, I feel in a sense has touched my hand by holding it in this whole process. It may at first felt like an eternity but time has it’s way of quickly scrolling down to an end. I have learned so much from her as a person of difference and I will never forget her as long as I live.

God has opened my eyes to see what he sees in her and that is greatness.

So all in all, surprisingly, I will miss her presence in my life and all that she had taught me. Life is all about progression and having her in my life has helped me to progress on so many different levels.

I wish for her to live her life to its fullest and find the truth that it possesses.

Love thy Neighbor!

The mist of Darkness

In the last few days the fog here has been getting increasingly thick and has not let up yet. Dustin and I have been spooked out having to drive through it. You can get lost so easily if you do not know where you are at. At night it is like the mist of darkness. These photos show the difference of a clear, cloudy day and the thick fog we have today. In the spiritual sense "Hold to the Iron Rod". (Lehi's dream in The book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8: 24)

Snowy walk

It finally snowed! The snow turned the frost into a slush and we didn't find out until we went outside for a walk. It was drizzling a cold foggy mist and it seemed we couldn't quite get a gist of this whole winter mix. We threw on our knitted Shaw's and slished sloshed down our white covered block. I was able to take some shots here and there and suddenly our old Landlord appeared! So I took a snap shot of him and the girls,Why not? They love Mr Lehnertz he looks like a Grandpa. We then got all cold and went back in our warm home where Maleha knocked out for a colorful sleeping pose.

Presents

New Presents from Grandma and Grandpa Ballard.
Thankyou!! The girls love their new back packs!

My Christmas experiment worked! I just wrapped all their old toys and they just had a blast unwrapping them all.They were very grateful. The only thing NEW that I got Maleha was the truck that she asked for from Santa and she played with it all night. She was such a good sport. Next Christmas I will try another experiment. I will shop at a Thrift store to see what new treasures I can find for them to open. I am sure they will be happy with whatever presents they receive because they are my little grateful angels.

Christmas Prayer by Maleha

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We had Maleha say a prayer to start off the unwrapping spree.
She loves saying the prayers any chance she gets. So precious!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!! Today the girls woke up at 9am which was so nice because we were able to sleep in a bit and Daddy Dustin cooked us girls some pancakes and bacon. So sweet! We then got ready to attend the Christmas party that we were invited to by Danielle Boyett to her friend Sheila's house. On our way there, Maleha and Kasiah had fallen asleep in the van. So here Dustin is hauling both Sleepy Santas into Sheila's home. What a strong, sweet, handsome Daddy.

Once inside Sheila's warm home, we had a feast around 3:00pm and ate some desserts around 4:30pm. Kasiah was the first in line. haha! Dustin and I took a drive real quick around the neighborhood to capture photos of the frost and a festive German home. We then went back to the party and did some nativity crafts with the kids and ended up leaving for home around 6:o0 pm. Maleha cried because she did not want to leave but as soon as we buckled her and Kasiah in the van they both went right to sleep.yaaa!

When we had arrived home the girls stayed asleep while I wrapped all their toys. In the meantime, Dustin and I watched the movie called "The Nativity story" It was beautifully made. I will have it be a New tradition of ours to watch it every year on Christmas as a family.

Today we had a wonderful frosty white Christmas. Dustin told me that he ordered it just for me. He is such a thoughtful Husband. We both enjoyed that it was just frost instead of snow to make this day a white Christmas. We both embraced it with thoughts of Christ and our love for him. Today was such a beautiful Christmas day we loved it!

Santa girls

I am not a Big Santa fan but you wouldn't be able to tell with all the Santa hats on. For some reason this year it was all about Dressing up like Santa. So I bent my rules a bit and got us Santa Christmas cards and had the girls have fun with the Red and white Santa theme. It was too cute!

Stuffed animals

Here is a picture of our favorite stuffed animal! She comes alive during the day to play and puts us all to sleep at night with her snuggles. Her name is Kasiah and we've had her for a year now and she has brought us nothing but hope and joy into our lives. She definitely has all the right STUFF!haha

As part of my Winter cleaning, I am currently going through all the Girl's toys to see what I can give away as well as keep for them because I need some toys to wrap for Christmas. hee! hee!

Well, today I did not do your ordinary laundry. I did stuffed animal laundry and washed all the stuffed toys I could find. Before I decide to get rid of most of them I slowly piled each one around Kasiah and suddenly thought of a colorful picture to take. So here she is sleeping with all her warm clean Stuffed animals. haha

Our little Christmas tree

This is our fake, 24 inch tall, Christmas tree. We love it! Especially at night when we are gathered together as a family just relaxing. We enjoy how it lights up our whole living room with the spirit of Christmas. Maleha and Kasiah like to play with the small boxes of presents underneath and put the Nativity scene in them that they got from Grandma Ballard.

Even though Christmas is simple this year, we really love the Special feeling that a Christmas tree can bring into our home and hearts. Maybe one day we will splurge and get a real one but for now this works wonders! Look! it put Maleha to sleep...haha

Pulling hair

Sorry, I had to capture this daily occurrence that goes on in our Ballard home. Can you believe Kasiah's innocent looking face!?! Poor Maleha! As you can see, Kasiah started this hair pulling at a very young age. She is a pro now. I constantly have to tell Kasiah to stop and to show her how to be soft and gentle and I finally have got her to let go and gently pat Maleha on the head afterwards but she needs alot of repeating. Unfortunately,Maleha just happens to be the ginny pig in teaching such a painful Lesson. She is such an amazing older sister though. She is so patient with Kasiah and never hits her back or pulls her hair. Surprisingly, She will even grab Kasiah's hand afterwards and run it back through her hair and tell her "No,Soft, Siah,Soft". What an amazing older sister!

p.s Right before I took this picture Kasiah pulled a red dress out from the closet and was trying to put in on over her head. It was so cute to watch her try and so I helped her put it on over her pink onsie and so this picture also shows the first outfit she ever picked and tried to put on.

Kasiah's Hair

This is how long Kasiah's hair is now a days. It feels silky soft and looks fluffy and feathery. This brunette has been untouched by any sharp slicing objects because I have had no temptation to cut this perfectly layered mullet. haha

Kasiah loves for me to run my fingers through her hair and stroke it until she falls asleep. Her hair has lightened up a bit since she was born with such full beautiful thick black hair. I wonder if she will turn blond and Maleha turn brown. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Maleha's Hair

Right now,this is how long Maleha's hair is. She still has her beautiful natural sandy blond color. I have had several people ask me if I highlight her hair! Although, I have a strong feeling this blond may fade into a brunette by the time she is 6 years old. I will embrace these young blond years of hers and just hope that she keeps this color until she turns old and grey.

Winter cleaning

I have been more into winter cleaning and organizing than into Christmas this year. I have plenty of Christmas ornaments but have only put a few out as well as a small fake Christmas tree to light up our Living room. I mean, I have decorated our outside entry way more than I have the inside of our own home. That should tell you I am making Christmas very simple this year. I want to teach my children what the real meaning of Christmas is all about. Gifts are great and fun but I want my girls to be grateful for what they already have and so I bought enough wrapping paper to wrap all their toys just to have the fun of unwrapping them all. I feel they are young enough that I can get away with this for now. But not for long.

I am just really looking forward and more focused on the New year and what it has to offer us. Right now I am on this never ending project of cleaning and organizing my home to make life more simple and beautiful instead of it becoming cluttered and chaotic. I don't feel I am all the way settled in here yet. I have so much stuff that needs my attention to go through...So, I have started with all our closets and put aside all the clothes that we just don't need or use anymore. I am now going through all our furniture and just creating space to give us a fresh start to approach the New Year. Our cupboards in the Kitchen are next and the list goes on and on! It feels so awesome to get organized!I plan on doing an intense home cleaning every 3 to 6 months.This process reminds me of the 7 days of creation and how I am the creator of my own enviroment .I love being the creator of my own space. It takes alot of time and focus but at the same time it is really Exhilarating!

Kasiah

Kasiah loves books! In the morning, the first thing she grabs are books for me to read to her. Her favorite books right now are any animal sounding kind. I mean she has Dustin and I trained to Meow like a cat and bark like a Dog.Ruff! Ruff!!! Her favorite animal sound to say is the baby pigs when they squeal "Wee'wee'wee'wee". Anyhow, She is such a serious book worm she even soaks herself with them in the bathtub.haha!

Kasiah's hairdo these days consist of the classy pony tails with the power puff doo afterwards. As far as her style goes I found her a screaming deal on this pink leopard outfit that she already seems to have grown out of. She is wearing 24mths already! She is 25 pounds of pure sweet sugar yet her favorite food right now is plain whole green beans...

Kasiah is such a happy baby! She loves to laugh and smile really BIG! She is amazing! I love her!