Goals and Resolutions

I realize I'm probably the five hundred ninety-nine bazillionth blogger to write about resolutions at this time of year. So be it. I'm doin' it anyway. Generally I don't do resolutions - they're just something else for me to not follow through on. But this year will be different.

I have already started on my resolutions...sort of. I started running a few weeks ago to train for a half marathon, something I've wanted to do for a couple of years. So I'm going to follow through on that commitment and some others.

Why? And why now? Well, for years I've kind of just been a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl. I over commit myself often (most days I think it's physiologically impossible for me to say "no") and frequently feel burned out and frustrated, and like I haven't actually accomplished a single thing no matter how much running around I've done. I will freely admit that this is due largely in part to poor time management. It's not that I don't have the skills, I just haven't really cared that much I guess. I've been lazy.

Now that I'm a parent (btw, that still feels weird to say) I want to be a good example for my son. I want to show him that it's fun to be healthy. That there are more important things in life than money and...things. That it's important to follow through when you commit to do something. And a lot of other things too, but those in particular.

I've started reading many blogs in the past year and a couple of them in particular have gotten me thinking over the last couple of days (you can see those posts here and here). So, I'm setting some goals for myself. I won't be sharing all of them right now (or maybe ever). One of them is obviously to finish a half marathon. I also intend, along with my friend AM, to memorize 24 scriptures this year (see the link to the Beth Moore blog above).

And here's where the link to the Ali Edwards blog comes in.

I have chosen a word for 2011. My word is purpose. From dictionary.com:

pur·pose

 [pur-puhs] noun, verb, -posed, -pos·ing.

–noun

1.

the reason for which something exists or is done, made,used, etc.

2.

an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.

3.

determination; resoluteness.

4.

the subject in hand; the point at issue.

5.

practical result, effect, or advantage: to act to good purpose.

–verb (used with object)

6.

to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.

7.

to intend; design.

8.

to resolve (to do something): He purposed to change his way of life radically.

The blue text is my "highlighting". I want to live my life with purpose. I'm not just here. I mean, big (BIG) picture, my end purpose is Heaven. And to take as many people as I can with me. Flying by the seat of my pants may not be the most efficient way to do that. I intend to live with purpose. I am designing a plan to help me do this - less time on the computer, more time moving, exercising, cleaning the house, playing with the little man. Less time worrying about what's going to happen tomorrow and more time enjoying what's happening right now. And I'm going to do it all, on PURPOSE.

Now that I've rambled on for EVER, some questions for you. Do you have any goals for the new year? What are they? How did you choose them? Have you written them down? Do you have an accountability partner to help you?

A Few Random Shots

Here are a few random photos I took while we were away.

1. A shot of the sunset out at Nathan's parents' place...that big metal frame you see is a GIANT (in the neighborhood of 30 feet tall) lit snowman that you can see quite easily from the highway (which is a quarter mile away). I realize this is not the greatest picture but it was the best I could do on short notice, with my phone.

2-3. Ainsley and then Abbey holding their cousin Milo - those girls LOOOOOOVE Baby Milo. All three of them (including Alivia who would have no part of sitting still for a picture) have baby dolls named...Baby Milo of course.

4. In case you wondered what it takes to get two adults, a 5 month old who wears cloth diapers, and a chihuahua-dacshund mix out of town for four nights...here it is (yes it does go all the way down the hallway on both sides, no this isn't actually everything, and yes we did a load of diapers and a load of whites in the wash while we were there - this is no small production folks):

Did I mention it was nice to get home?

Christmas Rounds 2-4

On Christmas morning, we woke up and headed over to Grandmama Betty's house for our traditional lunch of quail and biscuits. It wasn't quite the same without Grandpa running the show - he was missed for sure. But, my cousin Clay did a fine job frying up the birds and my bro-in-law Scott (or Uncle Sock) rocked some pretty good gravy. Sadly, the only pic I have of this event is the mantle with THIRTY FIVE stockings. And there are two that aren't up there yet! Now, to be fair, not all of these folks were actually present that day - but it was still a house full!

After lunch we made a mad dash back to Nathan's parents' house for their Christmas.

Uncle Jacob trying to figure out what his present is. Note the paper star on the tree - Pappo (Nathan's dad) did that because apparently the tree sat with no decorations for a couple of days and he didn't like it that way so he made the star and stuck it up there.

Our niece Aubree in her new robe - so cute! You can see Kona in the foreground of the picture, trying to look all forlorn and neglected...don't let him fool you.

Our new hat!

Aubree and Milo

And here's the proof - Kona sleeping with his Christmas present. He and Hudson each got a new toy and Kona claimed this one. He slept on it and (as you can see in the next pic) protected it quite fiercely. Crazy dog.

Sunday after church we went to my parents' house to have Christmas with them. Alivia was a BIG help while Milo opened his presents:

Milo LOVED all the new books he received!

I have no idea what this look means but I thought it was hilarious so here you go.

I didn't get pics of our grandparents (Milo's great-grandparents) holding him - I really need to be better about that. We did see all of them though and they all got to hold him. We had a great time with all of the family but we are SO glad to be back at home and in our own beds.

Christmas Round 1

We had Christmas at our house on Christmas Eve before we headed off to all the grandparents' and great-grandparents' Christmases. We took quite a few pics but these are my favorites I think. The little man got excited about everything we opened. Unfortunately, many of his "surprised" faces were not captured because I kept accidentally holding the gift being opened up in between his face and the camera. My bad. And we did not leave Kona out (in spite of what the look on his face says in the pic below). He got to open up his new bed. He has since been bathed and the bed is stuffed and ready to go under the bedside table upstairs. He should sleep well tonight.

P.S. Look at those cute reindeer feet! Those were his "Baby's First Christmas" pjs. :)

Christmas Tree Pics

Last night we tried to get some pics of the little man in front of his first Christmas tree. We weren't super successful. Also, it turns out someone else is feeling neglected and tried to get into almost every picture (these are only a couple of the ones that Kona managed to get into). In addition, Milo seemed more interested in that present he's sitting next to (which of course does, or will, actually belong to him) than in looking at his crazy parents trying to get him to smile. We're going to try again in the morning when we do our Christmas. For now, enjoy the craziness.

Visiting With Old (and new) Friends

I was trying to get my phone all synced and updated yesterday and found these pics. I can't believe I forgot to post them! Over Thanksgiving break we got to see one of my besties (from SECOND GRADE!) while we were at my parents. LB #1 (both of our initials are LB!) texted me the week before and asked if we would be around and if she could swing by to see us. She hadn't met Milo and we hadn't met her sweet baby girl (who is just a couple months older than Milo) either!

Here are the little kids playing together:

And the big girls playing (I believe they were comparing notes over iPhone games):

(BTW - big kid on the left - not mine! That's my oldest niece Ainsley who could pass for my girl but she belongs to my sister.)

It's funny how we even got to be friends - she transferred to my elementary school in 2nd grade. Our teacher asked me (probably the shyest girl in the entire second grade) to show the new girl around. I don't recall specifics but from that day on we were pretty well joined at the hip. I'm so thankful for this friendship and so glad we were able to visit for a little while and catch up!

Crafting Again

Update: I found the pics of the third sign!!! Here they are!

After a lengthy hiatus (due mostly to the fact that I've been mourning the loss of my crafting partner and one of my bff's to the icy climes of Montana) I've started crafting again. OK, I spent one night crafting. I don't know if it means I'm back for good but it's a start. I made these for some of the girls at work. There was a third one that I made back in June or July but I can't seem to find a picture of it. I know there's a picture somewhere...maybe someday I'll find it. In the meantime, here are the two I took pics of yesterday.