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Hello family and friends-

As was stated by my grandfather over this past Christmas holiday, us Norris’ boys are not always the best at expressing ourselves in the verbal or physical department (although I think we have all made some strides in the right direction).

I would however like to take a moment, in fashion with Alli’s post, to reflect on a few things from this past year.

I have realized just how dynamic my family has become, both direct and extended, and I truly appreciate it.  I am not a perfect person and I don’t have that expectation about anyone that I have ever met or will meet.  We all meet that adversary that gets to us, no matter how big or small it may be  (sorry to end a sentence on a preposition but that may be one of my biggest adversaries!).

Anyways, I have come to respect you all in your own way, and for some reason our differences have become more apparent to me in this past year.  I love you all and hope that these are the things that draw us closer.

Whether it be politics, sports, family, or friends I appreciate the unique prospective each of us brings to the table.

As many of you know I am not a very serious person.  That is not to say that I take things lightly, and I like to think that  I do not hold grudges.  So many things that have seemed trivial to me have become monumental and I sorry to see that.  If I could have it my way I might forever be stuck in the world of Paisley!  Hahah.

So I guess what I am getting at is that as we enter this new year, I truly want to say how honored I am to be part of such a wonderful and gracious group of people, and hope that even though we may not always agree, that we will continue in this world as one family.  One family bounded by respect and appreciation for what we have.

I have seen many a heartache in the prologue of my life, yet I have never experienced true pain beacause I am continually surrounded by the ones I love and care for.

So, as we enter this new year I would like to say how grateful I am for those around me, even though I may not always be the person that you want me to be. For every vice you may find in a person, there are countless virtues.  If you continually bitch about something, it is because you have a reason to care.   And if you continue through life with love in your heart, you will never fail (and for the record I thank my father and grandfather for most of these words of wisdom!)

Haha, sorry about all of these cliches, but I am on my annual reflection so deal with it.

I wish you all the best in the coming year and hope to see much more of you all!  As we say in the Navy “fair winds and following seas!”

Love,

Johnny

care to participate…go for it in the comments section.

What I’ve done in 2008

Mothered 2 children
Been a wife another year
Improved our house cleanliness
Began making my own kefir
Starting wasting less
Starting recycling more
Particpated in CityFresh and LOVED it!
Committed to using only 1 car 4 days/week all summer and fall and did it mostly
stayed home 2 days/week and LOVED it
worked 3 days/week and LOVED it
survived and enjoyed our first family cross-country car trip to St. Louis
Had my highest billed charges for one month ever at the office
Began sewing again
tried to be a better friend
joined the Y and am using it
pumped milk for an entire year (and still going)
nursed a babe all year (and still going)
paid our bills almost entirely on time all year
didn’t use credit
saved for christmas beforehand
shopped some for christmas beforehand

2008 things I’m thankful for:

my family
my office
my house
my new president!
my health
my friends
my strength
my kindness

Things that happened in 2008 worth mentioning!

My grandmother moved cross country to re-retire here. It’s full circle in a way and I”m loving it.
I decided to work part time. This was relinquishing control from work and giving it back to my family. It was the BEST decision ever.
We began our journey to become debt free!

I’ll keep adding to this but there is a start….

I saw this on a blog I follow.  I am sooo lame.  Many many songs on here are ones that I still love.  lol.  how about you?

1. I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston
2. Whoomp! (There It Is), Tag Team
3. Can’t Help Falling In Love, UB40
4. That’s The Way Love Goes, Janet Jackson
5. Freak, Silk
6. Weak, SWV
7. If I Ever Fall In Love, Shai
8. Dreamlover, Mariah Carey
9. Rump Shaker, Wreckx-N-Effect
10. Informer, Snow
11. Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang, Dr. Dre
12. In The Still Of The Nite, Boyz II Men
13. Don’t Walk Away, Jade
14. Knockin’ Da Boots, H-Town
15. Lately, Jodeci
16. Dazzey Duks, Duice
17. Show Me Love, Robin S.
18. A Whole New World, Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle
19. If, Janet Jackson
20. I’m So Into You, SWV
21. Love Is, Vanessa Willlams and Brian Mcknight
22. Runaway Train, Soul Asylum
23. I’ll Never Get Over You (Getting Over Me), Expose
24. Ditty, Paperboy
25. Rhythm Is A Dancer, Snap
26. The River Of Dreams, Billy Joel
27. I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), Proclaimers
28. Two Princes, Spin Doctors
29. Right Here (Human Nature)-Downtown, SWV
30. I Have Nothing, Whitney Houston
31. Mr. Wendal, Arrested Development
32. Have I Told You Lately, Rod Stewart
33. Saving Forever For You, Shanice
34. Ordinary World, Duran Duran
35. If I Had No Loot, Tony! Toni! Tone!
36. I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Meat Loaf
37. Slam, Onyx
38. Looking Through Patient Eyes, P.M. Dawn
39. I’m Every Woman, Whitney Houston
40. Baby I’m Yours, Shai
41. Come Undone, Duran Duran
42. I Don’t Wanna Fight, Tina Turner
43. I’d Die Without You, P.M. Dawn
44. Whoot, There It Is, 95 South
45. Hip Hop Hooray, Naughty By Nature
46. Another Sad Love Song, Toni Braxton
47. Will You Be There, Michael Jackson
48. Comforter, Shil
49. Good Enough, Bobby Brown
50. What’s Up, 4 Non Blondes
51. All That She Wants, Ace Of Base
52. 7, Prince and The New Power Generation
53. Dre Day, Dr. Dre
54. One Last Cry, Brian McKnight
55. Just Kickin’ It, Xscape
56. I Get Around, 2Pac
57. Bed Of Roses, Bon Jovi
58. Real Love, Mary J. Blige
59. Here We Go Again!, Portrait
60. Cryin’, Aerosmith
61. Cats In The Cradle, Ugly Kid Joe
62. What About Your Friends, TLC
63. I Got A Man, Positive K
64. Hey Mr. D.J., Zhane
65. Insane In The Brain, Cypress Hill
66. Deeper And Deeper, Madonna
67. Rain, Madonna
68. The Right Kind Of Love, Jeremy Jordan
69. Bad Boys, Inner Circle
70. That’s What Love Can Do, Boy Krazy
71. Do You Believe In Us, Jon Secada
72. Angel, Jon Secada
73. Forever In Love, Kenny G
74. Again, Janet Jackson
75. Boom! Shake The Room, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince
76. When She Cries, Restless Heart
77. Sweat (A La La La La Long), Inner Circle
78. It Was A Good Day, Ice Cube
79. More And More, Captain Hollywood Project
80. How Do You Talk To An Angel, Heights
81. Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat), Digable Planets
82. What Is Love, Haddaway
83. To Love Somebody, Michael Bolton
84. Give It Up, Turn It Loose, En Vogue
85. Alright, Kris Kross
86. Check Yo Self, Ice Cube
87. Fields Of Gold, Sting
88. Ooh Child, Dino
89. Faithful w/ Go West
90. Reason To Believe, Rod Stewart
91. Break It Down Again, Tears For Fears
92. Nothin’ My Love Can’t Fix, Joey Lawrence
93. Three Little Pigs, Green Jelly
94. Livin’ On The Edge, Aerosmith
95. Hey Jealousy, Gin Blossoms
96. If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, Sting
97. Anniversary, Tony! Toni! Tone!
98. One Woman, Jade
99. Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love, Taylor Dayne
100. Two Steps Behind, Def Leppard

Well my Thanksgiving plans have changed a bit.  I don’t think I will be able to get home the weekend of the 21st because I am having PRK refractive eye surgery that day!  I have to stay until Monday for some post-op procedures so I will be home shortly after!

I may change the date but I really want to get this done!  goodbye contacts & glasses!

Saw this on another blog and thought it was fun …play along too, one word answers only though!

1. Where is your cell phone? downstairs
2. Where is your significant other? couch
3. Your hair color? brown
4. Your mother? strong
5. Your father? awesome
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? uhhhhh
8. Your dream/goal? freedom
9. The room you’re in? bedroom
10. Your hobby? work
11. Your fear? loneliness
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? secure
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you’re not? rested
15. One of your wish list items? vacation
16. Where you grew up? Missouri
17. The last thing you did? wake
18. What are you wearing? clothes
19. Your TV? Higglytown
20. Your pet? mazzy-mune
21. Your computer? bright
22. Your mood? tired
23. Missing someone? always?
24. Your car? driveway
25. Something you’re not wearing? bra
26. Favorite Store? Joe’s
27. Your summer? nice!
28. Love someone? Indeed
29. Your favorite color? yellow
30. When is the last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Last time you cried? sunday

Ok, here are our wishlists. I also attached Mark and Kelly’s. Feel free to attach yours in the comments section.

Allison’s wishlist (with some for the kiddos)

Alli’s wishlist

Mark and Kelly’s WishList

http://www.wishlistr.com/mark769

All-

I know that the Christmas plans this year are varied, so I would like to start this post to try and get everything straight and plan my vacation time.  I have the whole Thanksgiving week off and will be home for the majority.  I am going to have lasik eye surgery done and have yet to decide between the Thanksgiving or Christmas breaks.  I am also planning a trip to the Bahamas from Jan. 2nd to the 8th.  Other than that I am flexible and I would like a chance to see as many of you as possible.  Please post your planned vacations

Love

Johnny

I just wanted to recommend the show Mad Men to everyone.  It is about the advertising scene in 1960’s New York.  I have been thouroughly enjoying it!

anyone see the ads by the corn industry in regards to high fructose corn syrup?  I am so annoyed by them but wondering if it is my skewed view 1)being in healthcare and 2)hanging out with hippies.  lol.  Anyhow, would love to know others opinions…