South Carolina primary voters give Newt Gingrich a win.  This is the man that has been married three times and had two affairs.  Did they forget about their own disgraced governor, Mark Sanford, who had an affair and made the state officials and its citizens embarrassed by his actions?  I didn’t watch the Nightline interview with Gingrich’s ex-wife #2.  I didn’t have to. It was all over the news before it ran.  She was not sad, but angry.  Did this style hurt her and help him?  People don’t like revengeful women, well unless you watch the popular ABC show, Revenge, but other than that women are not to complain.  I do wonder why Marianne Gingrich would be surprised that her then husband was having an affair.  He had an affair with her while married to his 1st wife, his high school geometry teacher and 7 years older than him. Isn’t there a saying that goes once a cheater, always a cheater?  I do know one thing and that is Newt Gingrich should be sending Nightline and Marianne Gingrich roses.  They certainly deserve a thank you for his win on Saturday night.  Gingrich is explosive. He is  a good debater. He knows his stuff. He was a history professor after all.  After winning South Carolina he is flying high to Florida.  It certainly keeps us news junkies yammering for more.  Ultimately it comes down to one thing, who can beat Obama?  Right now, I honestly don’t know.  Will it be Gingrich with his in your face style and two brainwashed daughters? Romney with his I know business and I can get this country moving again but don’t ask me about how I make my money because I don’t know? Santorum, who even for me is too conservative, who plans to stay in right to the bitter end? Or Ron Paul who has nothing better to do then run for president?   If I had to bet, I might place money on all four.  This is going to be one heck of a ride.

Man, my last post was kind of a bummer.  That is no way to celebrate 100 posts.  Things are looking up.  It’s January and so far so good.  So far we’ve had a birthday and a baptism.  Now that is certainly the way to start off the year. Another great way to start off the year is to read the scriptures.  My family is reading the Book of Mormon this year.  We have been reading a chapter or so a day.  With an 8 year old and a 4 year old, we stop a lot and ask questions. We also use the Scripture Stories DVDs that are an excellent resource to help them understand better. They aren’t fancy, but they sure make things clearer for the boys.  We also started having more consistent family prayer.  It is funny that simple things like scripture study and family prayer can bring such a difference to our home.  The boys still argue sometimes, but they are more apt to help one another.  I don’t feel so stressed out.  Well sometimes, I do, but it’s my own doing.  I know that we all must face trials.  I look back and I have faced some big ones.  I have always come out maybe a little weary, but always for the better.  I know this year will bring its share of trials, but with faith there is nothing I can’t do.

I am officially at 100 posts! Who knew I had so much to rant and muse about.  As 2011 is another year gone by,  I have been thinking a lot about the year that was.  I probably say this every year, but it seems like this year really zoomed by.  It seems the overall sentiment for 2011 is so long and don’t bother writing.  It wasn’t a great year.  Mother Nature had a lot to say. Earthquakes on the East Coast and in Oklahoma, a killer tsunami in Japan, fires, extreme drought and flooding.  The presidential race started to heat up.  I know which way I want it to go, but I am sure how it will end.  Occupiers, countries collapsing and no jobs seemed to be a theme for 2011. No wonder people just wanted to stay in bed.  I know I did.  Personally, we had a missionary go out into the mission field.  We are so proud of her and her decision to do something that most 20 years old don’t even think about – share the teachings of Jesus Christ.  We moved.  It was a tough one, but it wasn’t far and we have adjusted.  There has been some heartache, but nothing that can’t be cured.  I am hopeful this new year of 2012.  There will be changes for us, one of which will be huge, but we have faith.  Faith is something you have to have, I think, in order to survive.  Many may disagree, but I know my faith has gotten me through and it will continue in 2012.  I leave you with a verse by William Arthur Ward –

“Another fresh new year is here . . .

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs!”

Happy New Year!