Yep, I am totally into New Year's Resolutions. I love them. I don't care if I break them come January's end. It's enough for me that I tried. That I set some goals. That I have taken an inventory of the things I want to do a little better and the things I want to avoid all together.
And so, I present you with a small snapshot into my list of New Year's Resolutions.
1. Lose the baby weight. Yeah, it's cliche', but if there's ever a time to list it as a resolution, right after having a baby seems like a good time to me. A friend and I are joining Weight Watchers next week. And I'm thrilled. WW helped me lose weight after Drew was born (alright... a year after Drew was born) and I'm excited for the hope that I can start wearing my clothes again sometime soon.
2. Read the Bible every day. Now, I could have moved this to "Item #1" and probably should have, but in an effort to be transparent, the weight loss was the first thing that came to mind, and I just want you to know that I'm keeping it real.
The hubby and I got a chronological study Bible for Christmas and it's fascinating. The books of this Bible aren't in the "canonical" order... they actually go chronologically, so you could be reading in 1 Kings and it will jump to a Psalm or a chapter of 1 Chronicles. I am really hoping that this gives me a fresh perspective on my knowledge of the Bible. I plan to read through this Bible in a year - something I've never done before but have always wanted to do.
3. Become more financially disciplined. Our church frequently offers the Dave Ramsey course, and a preview class begins tomorrow night. My dear hubby handles all our finances to the point that I often can't even remember where we bank. Ignorance in this case, is probably not bliss. It's about time I grow up and take some responsibility. Bleh...
4. Blog more. Hey - you can hold me accountable for this one! In the craziness of daily life, I often put the blog on the backburner. Which is probably fine. It's just that this blog allows me the opportunity to practice my writing skills, something I resolve to work on more regularly this year.
And I think I'll stop right there. With a four year old in my house, everything usually happens in 4's for him. Four carrots on his dinner plate, four books at night, four more minutes in the backyard.
And four resolutions to begin the new year.
What have you resolved to do? I'd love to hear from you!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Friday, December 25, 2009
It's Christmas Morning!
Merry Christmas!!!
It's almost 7:30 a.m., and for some unknown and blessed reason, my whole family is still "nestled, all tucked in their beds".
Within the next half hour, I imagine everything will get pretty noisy and exciting around here.
So, let me take this little moment to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
May today's festivities serve to draw you (and all of us) closer to the one who's birth we're celebrating!
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
It's almost 7:30 a.m., and for some unknown and blessed reason, my whole family is still "nestled, all tucked in their beds".
Within the next half hour, I imagine everything will get pretty noisy and exciting around here.
So, let me take this little moment to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.
May today's festivities serve to draw you (and all of us) closer to the one who's birth we're celebrating!
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Dear Santa, You're Fired...
Now before you accuse me of being a Scrooge, just hear me out.
I have nothing again the jolly messenger of cheer and his herd of reindeer. I'm just convinced that this Christmas, my "Wish List" is above Santa's pay grade.
For starters, I would like to make a few returns. Like my dad's recent diagnosis of Amyloidosis (really bad blood disease). Oh, and his subsequent diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma (really, really bad cancer along with really bad blood disease). No thank you, we're not interested.
I'd like to ask for Miss M to be cured of her RSV,
my friend to see justice revealed in her difficult situation,
my sister to have her house, family & normal life back,
my 8-yr old neighbor to not have to spend part of his holiday in the hospital for chermotherapy,
and my brother-in-law's family to get everything back that they lost in their house fire.
You see, I think I've realized that health, wealth, security and material possessions can be taken from us in an instant. And no wish list or well-meaning fat guy with a fluffy white beard can really bring me what I most desire this year.
And while I really would take any of the things on my list, I find my ONLY comfort in knowing that my requests have not been whispered into the ear of my local mall's Santa Claus.
They've been presented to the ultimate Giver of all Good Things. And in His perfect wisdom, He will provide whatever He knows I need most this year.
Now if Santa insists on bringing something down the chimney for me, a pair of pearl earrings wouldn't take much room on the sleigh.
I'm just sayin'...
I have nothing again the jolly messenger of cheer and his herd of reindeer. I'm just convinced that this Christmas, my "Wish List" is above Santa's pay grade.
For starters, I would like to make a few returns. Like my dad's recent diagnosis of Amyloidosis (really bad blood disease). Oh, and his subsequent diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma (really, really bad cancer along with really bad blood disease). No thank you, we're not interested.
I'd like to ask for Miss M to be cured of her RSV,
my friend to see justice revealed in her difficult situation,
my sister to have her house, family & normal life back,
my 8-yr old neighbor to not have to spend part of his holiday in the hospital for chermotherapy,
and my brother-in-law's family to get everything back that they lost in their house fire.
You see, I think I've realized that health, wealth, security and material possessions can be taken from us in an instant. And no wish list or well-meaning fat guy with a fluffy white beard can really bring me what I most desire this year.
And while I really would take any of the things on my list, I find my ONLY comfort in knowing that my requests have not been whispered into the ear of my local mall's Santa Claus.
They've been presented to the ultimate Giver of all Good Things. And in His perfect wisdom, He will provide whatever He knows I need most this year.
Now if Santa insists on bringing something down the chimney for me, a pair of pearl earrings wouldn't take much room on the sleigh.
I'm just sayin'...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words
Sometimes I let Drew use my camera. I love to scroll through the pictures and catch a glimpse of what the world looks like through his four-year old eyes.
Yesterday, though, I was horrified at the view my son is subjected to lately. Sorting through the digital files, I came across an image that filled the little screen on my camera.
My rear end... as seen by Drew. My "just-had-a-baby" rear end.
And it wasn't pretty at all.
Wanna see?
Are you kidding me!!!??? Did you think I'd actually post that picture on my BLOG!!!!???
Well, I don't want to leave you without showing you something that should make you smile. And with a crew like this to keep up with this Christmas season, I should burn a few calories off that backside in no time!
Yesterday, though, I was horrified at the view my son is subjected to lately. Sorting through the digital files, I came across an image that filled the little screen on my camera.
My rear end... as seen by Drew. My "just-had-a-baby" rear end.
And it wasn't pretty at all.
Wanna see?
Are you kidding me!!!??? Did you think I'd actually post that picture on my BLOG!!!!???
Well, I don't want to leave you without showing you something that should make you smile. And with a crew like this to keep up with this Christmas season, I should burn a few calories off that backside in no time!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
A Day of Rest
I am beginning to wonder what, exactly, it might take to slow my four year old down. Don't get me wrong, I don't want him to experience any kind of physical injury or illness.
But lately it seems like the normal ailments don't slow him down even a little bit. Gone are the days when a runny nose equaled snuggle time on the couch. I've said good-bye to the memories of a child finding comfortable rest in my arms.
Now, he orders up a dose of Tylenol and is on his way.
Today, I kept him home from school when his morning started with a bout of tummy trouble. I fed him a popsicle for breakfast and spread his blanket and favorite pillow across the living room couch. Over the course of the next hour, he let the popsicle melt on the coffee table while he practiced his somersaults over the couch arms and built forts with the pillow and blanket.
Then, he was off to the backyard for some swinging and climbing. Not long after that, I found myself holding him up while he attempted to roller blade down the driveway.
After 2 laps around the block (first time on the bike and second time on the big wheel), I figured he'd be tired enough for a little nap. I figured wrong.
Feeling a little restless myself, we buckled up and headed for the mall. On the way home, he lost 6 consecutive rounds of the "Quiet Game" but beat my socks off at the "Loudest of All" game.
Now, he's chasing a dog around the living room.
And daddy's just walked through the door.
Which means I may just survive this day of rest after all.
But lately it seems like the normal ailments don't slow him down even a little bit. Gone are the days when a runny nose equaled snuggle time on the couch. I've said good-bye to the memories of a child finding comfortable rest in my arms.
Now, he orders up a dose of Tylenol and is on his way.
Today, I kept him home from school when his morning started with a bout of tummy trouble. I fed him a popsicle for breakfast and spread his blanket and favorite pillow across the living room couch. Over the course of the next hour, he let the popsicle melt on the coffee table while he practiced his somersaults over the couch arms and built forts with the pillow and blanket.
Then, he was off to the backyard for some swinging and climbing. Not long after that, I found myself holding him up while he attempted to roller blade down the driveway.
After 2 laps around the block (first time on the bike and second time on the big wheel), I figured he'd be tired enough for a little nap. I figured wrong.
Feeling a little restless myself, we buckled up and headed for the mall. On the way home, he lost 6 consecutive rounds of the "Quiet Game" but beat my socks off at the "Loudest of All" game.
Now, he's chasing a dog around the living room.
And daddy's just walked through the door.
Which means I may just survive this day of rest after all.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
I Feel Like Gumby tonight...
S T R E T C H E D
Pulled between life's highs
and lows.
Praising God for the blessings
and
Trusting Him for the blows.
It's ok. At least green's a good color for me.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Parkour!
It's the latest, greatest, up-and-coming fitness craze. And therefore, my husband is TOTALLY obsessed with Parkour these days.
Have you heard of it?
Let me try to describe it to you, using my dear friends at Wikipedia:
PARKOUR
"(English: the art of moving) is a non competitive physical discipline of French origin in which participants run along a route, attempting to negotiate obstacles in the most efficient way possible, as if moving in an emergency situation, using skills such as jumping and climbing, or the more specific parkour moves. The object is to get from one place to another using only the human body and the objects in the environment."
Need a visual? Here's the cast of The Office with a little Parkour fun for you:
So... that's what my husband is now going to take on to keep his P90X-completed physique in tip-top shape. I have already seen him run up a tree trunk (I'm dead serious), and a climbing rope is on his Christmas list.
I can honestly tell you that I do not understand this exercise trend at all. But I did have a moment of clarity about it all recently.
Drew and I were on a walk around the block, and I took notice that my four-year old son was parkour-ing (is that a word?) without even realizing it. Every obstacle in his path became an opportunity. Rock? Jump over it. Garden wall? Climb on top of it. Lawn? Do somersaults across it.
That's when it hit me. My husband doesn't want to try a new fitness craze at all. He just wants to recapture the instinctive nature he's had for the past thirty years.
And, in the immortal words of Jim Halpert, "If point A is delusion, and point B is the hospital", then my dear, sweet parkour practioner is headed in the right direction!
Have you heard of it?
Let me try to describe it to you, using my dear friends at Wikipedia:
PARKOUR
"(English: the art of moving) is a non competitive physical discipline of French origin in which participants run along a route, attempting to negotiate obstacles in the most efficient way possible, as if moving in an emergency situation, using skills such as jumping and climbing, or the more specific parkour moves. The object is to get from one place to another using only the human body and the objects in the environment."
Need a visual? Here's the cast of The Office with a little Parkour fun for you:
So... that's what my husband is now going to take on to keep his P90X-completed physique in tip-top shape. I have already seen him run up a tree trunk (I'm dead serious), and a climbing rope is on his Christmas list.
I can honestly tell you that I do not understand this exercise trend at all. But I did have a moment of clarity about it all recently.
Drew and I were on a walk around the block, and I took notice that my four-year old son was parkour-ing (is that a word?) without even realizing it. Every obstacle in his path became an opportunity. Rock? Jump over it. Garden wall? Climb on top of it. Lawn? Do somersaults across it.
That's when it hit me. My husband doesn't want to try a new fitness craze at all. He just wants to recapture the instinctive nature he's had for the past thirty years.
And, in the immortal words of Jim Halpert, "If point A is delusion, and point B is the hospital", then my dear, sweet parkour practioner is headed in the right direction!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)