Leadership

I was reading a talk giving by my dad last week and the below really stuck with me:

The six most important words: “I admit I make a mistake”


The 5 most important words: “You did a good job”

The 4 most important words: “What is your opinion?”

The 3 most important words: “If you please”

The 2 most important words: “Thank you!”

The 1 most important word: “WE”

The least most important word: “I”



"A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worst when they despise him. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, 'We did this ourselves.'"

— Lao-Tse

Hmm...starting over

We had our neighbors over for dinner on Sunday night and they brought a delicious cake I couldn't refused.  So today I started over with my 30 days of no sugar.   Day one is done and over and I promise I won't keep starting over going forward!

30 Days Sugar Free

Some of you may know I am not supposed to eat sugar.  I have arrhythmia and sugar lowers my blood pressure and makes it worse.  The last 6 months I haven't  been too strict with my no sugar diet and have decided that it's time to get back on track.  These next 30 days I am going to get back in the habit of keeping my heart and body healthy. 

In order to stick to my plan I decided to keep a record of how I am doing here.  I am hoping if I have to write about how I am doing I will be motivated to stick to my plan and get back in the habit of following doctor's orders.   Here's to day 1!

Christmas in a Nutshell

Merry Christmas

With all the hustle and bustle of the season it is easy to get caught up in everything except what Christmas is all about.  Keeli and I have been sick the past few weeks so we have slowed our pace down a little bit and I have had some time to stop and take a look around me.  I have so many wonderful examples of Christ-like people in my life and am blessed to just be alive. We Harpers definitely try not to take life for granted being so accident prone.

As I look back over this year our lives have taken so many unexpected twists and turns but have led us to the place we are today.  As the song says, "God bless the broken road that led me straight to you".  Thank you for being a part of our lives...your kind acts haven't gone unnoticed and we hope that you are blessed and know of your love for you. 

Merry Christmas!

I found....

I found goggles in the dryer today.  :) Keeli likes to throw her treasures in the laundry basket...I will have to look more carefully next time I throw a load of laundry in the wash.

Keeli discovered Vicks

Yesterday when no one was looking Keeli and her cousin found the vicks at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Eric found them rubbing vicks all over Keeli's face.  She had so much on she could hardly open her eyes.  I think she was in heaven.  After two baths and washing Keeli's hair several times she still has a nice vasoline residue in her hair.  :)  I think we will be hiding our vicks a little better from now on.

Dentotape

My mom recommended a floss called dentotape to me...there are a few different brands but they are all about the sam.

Heaven in my mouth....if you like to floss then you have to try this...

Keeli Can....

Keeli can say finished in sign language

Keeli gets so excited when daddy calls, especially now that we are out of town

Keeli can give kisses....grandpa was playing the guitar for her yesterday and she stood up, walked over, and planted one on him as he was playing to say thank you

Keeli can sing into a microphone

If I were rich....

I would have a fireplace in my room and keep my house at 80 degrees.  mmmm.....

Just Breathe...Happy Almost Weekend

The past few weeks have sent Eric and I running around with our heads cut off.  We all had H1N1 and unfortunately time doesn't stop for the sick.  Because of this, it feels like we are half zombie lately.  As we catch up and try to get ahead, it has been hard to find time to let our bodies get some good R&R.  I am looking forward to this weekend...once Saturday morning is over it is time to relax and finally have a date night.  Happy weekend to you all!

(No Keeli is not floating....my dad is holding her up behind us.  :) I am always ready for another beach trip!)

What are your weird quirks?

There are just some things I have to do everyday or I don't feel complete.  Do you have anything like that? 

I have to floss my teeth every night before I go to bed.  Someone told me once that bacteria grows 20x faster at night while you sleep (I don't know if this is fact) and it was enough to sell me on flossing.  If I miss a night, I can't wait all day until I get to floss...you can't floss twice in one day to make up for the next day, or else your gums will get sore!  I bring my floss camping, on vacation, anywhere!

I have to pay off our credit card any time there is a balance.  We use our credit card to get rewards but each time something shows up I have to pay it off.  We've never paid interest on a credit card because of this but I don't think we need to pay off the card 30 times a month to avoid interest.  I don't like the feeling of having anything unfinished or hanging over my head so I pay it off whether there is a $3.00 balance or or $100 balance.

Does anyone else do weird things like this?