2012 is MY Year

I am so happy for this year.  It is going to be a year of doing for me.  In the past I have been a bit of a "slacker" and would often start things and not finish.  Well, this year I have a new motto and a new plan.  My motto is a quote that I found on the internet which read: "To think to long about doing a thing often becomes it undoing." I read this quote a few months ago.   It is so simple, true, and is SO me.  I have found that I am such a perfectionist that I take too long to finish things resulting in me just giving up.  I found another quote on the internet (gotta love the internet) that said, "If you want to be happy stop trying to be perfect."  Well, there you go.  You can't be more straightforward than that.  I decided for this year to take these words literally and, as Nike says, "Just do it."  I have compiled a little list of a few things that I would like to improve on.  Then, I told myself to do one at a time and every couple of weeks start on another one.  I can't make too many changes at once or I become overwhelmed and shut down. Besides, I have a whole year and a lifetime to work on myself.  There really is no rush.  I am finding the importance of time management too.  I am a pretty spontaneous person, which is not necessarily a bad thing; I am finding that being a little more structured and staying on task helps with the stress levels.  I know it is only 4 days into the new year but so far I am doing really good and have found myself to be much happier.  I am finding joy in the little moments of everyday and am determined to make 2012 my year.  To kick it off we took the Rowdy 3 to The Children's Aquarium.  It was a small place and perfect for us.

 I got a lot of pictures like the one above.  They sure do love the fish tanks.

 I have always enjoyed going places like this with him.  He reads about every exhibit and shares the information with the rest of us.  It is like having our own tour guide.  What can I say?  The man loves to learn.

 Our little Bayou Babies sitting in front of an albino alligator.

 He was very photogenic

 I love this picture.  The first time the alligator came over to the glass Gatlin was sitting in front of it.  He looked over his shoulder, saw the alligator, flinched, and flew away from that aquarium so quick! It was hilarious.  I wish I could have caught it on camera.  We put him back up there to show in that the alligator couldn't get him.  He still looks a little uneasy though.

 The fish was very interesting.  It is a "Walking Bat Fish". How would you like to catch one of those while you're out fishing?

 This guy was impressive to watch. He swam like a champ, even though; he was missing one of his front flippers.  The aquarium rescued him in 2007.

 We love our silly daddy.

 This is an Alligator Snapping Turtle.  He was HUGE (175 lbs.)  He is not the most attractive creature but he was very intriguing. 

 This was my favorite part of the place: Stingray Bay.  My boys LOVED it, especially Gabriel.

 Here he is contemplating his next move.

 He decides to go all in with both hands.  He didn't mind the slimy stingrays at all!

 In fact, he loved them so much he almost took a swim with them!  Thank goodness Daddy was close by to keep him from taking a plunge. 

I'd like to think that he is really sorry for getting all wet, for almost swimming with the stingrays, and for almost getting us kicked out, but;  I think he is hiding an "I almost got away with it" smile behind those big, chubby hands.  The picture came out a little blurry, so; I guess we'll never know...