Resolutions of 2011

Drum roll please....

Here are my highly anticipated 2011 Resolutions (in no particular order):

10. Forgive and forget.
It's time to forgive and forget (to some level) events, mistakes, mishaps, and disappointments of yesterday and even yesteryear. It's time to forgive others and myself. It's time to live with no regrets.

9. Less Facebook, more bible study and prayer.
Sorry, Mark Zuckerberg... I love Facebook and the connections I've made with long lost friends... but it's time for a self-induced intervention. When I'm spending more time updating my status and reading my friend's posts than I am in prayer or time spent reading and studying the bible... my priorities are out of whack.

8. Family dinner.
We've gotten very relaxed in our home eating in the living room, bedrooms, and den. We grab our plates and off we scatter. I'm just as guilty as anyone in my home. I'm making a resolution that family dinner returns to our dining table at least 4 times a week.

7. Get healthy, get fit.
This makes the list year after year. But here I am... the heaviest I've ever been. So obviously this wasn't a resolution from years past that I kept very well. I've already scheduled my work-outs for next week. They are in my day planner. They are on my calendar on the fridge. I would like to say my goal is to weigh what I weighed when I graduated high school, but it's not necessarily about a number anymore. I want to be healthy. I want to be in shape... not necessarily "athletic", but in good shape. I want more than anything to feel comfortable in my own body. A few weeks ago I was out searching for the "perfect" outfit for a Christmas party. I went from store to store in desperation trying to find this perfect outfit. I broke down in tears... sobbing... in the Kohl's dressing room. Disgusted with my reflection. Honest confession here... I do not have full length mirrors in my home. I refuse to look at my reflection anywhere but from about my shoulders up. Refuse. Staring at my reflection in that Kohl's dressing room was a wake up call. I will never again break down sobbing in a dressing room. It's time to make a change.

6. Gulf Coast.
The kids and I want to travel to the Gulf Coast just once. I'd love nothing more than to dip my toes into the ocean (or in this case... the Gulf of Mexico!). I'd love nothing more than to see my kids dip their toes into the ocean! I'm hopeful that Michael will want to come along... but he tends to want to avoid all bodies of water! And that's ok. I learned a few years ago that it's perfectly fine for me to take the kids and go. And... we do! The boys love my singing in the car on roadtrips! :)

5. Me time.
It's time to make a commitment to myself. To schedule that time away from Michael and the kids. Whether it's a pedicure, a quick tan at the pool, a quiet moment sipping coffee, or a walk around the park. I have to take some time for myself.

4. Volunteer more.
This Christmas season I made a decision to volunteer with the Eveline Rivers Christmas Project. It has forever touched my heart and stirred a desire to do more. I am excited to find organizations to volunteer my time to this next year.

3. Church involvement.
It's time to get more involved in our church. It's time to step out of my comfort zone (out of my designated church pew) and meet new people, find a class to join, attend a ladies bible study.

2. Fore!!!
It's time I learn how to play golf. It's time to take the leap... pick up a club and smack the living daylight out of a little white golf ball. Who knows... it could be a great stress reliever! (By the way... this could be the hardest resolution to keep!)

1. Treasure every moment.
My children are my biggest blessings. I already treasure every moment I have with them. But coming into this new year... I am realizing that they are growing up. They are spreading their wings. And in just a few short months... Cody will be a Senior. A Senior. Time has flown by. I don't want to become so focused on the "countdown to graduation", but to just focus on the blessing of each and every day leading to that point and beyond.

My aunt Luann posted this on Facebook earlier:
For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29: 11.

Could there be a more perfect verse as we start another new year? I pray that each of us will feel the peace of the Lord and His plans for us for this next year and until the end.

Happy New Year, everyone. Peace and happiness to you all.

Love,
~jen

End of the year reflections...

Every year around this time I always end up saying "where did this year go?". So here it is... where did this year go? It is amazing how quickly time passes. Or at least it seems to. When you think about it... this year didn't pass by any more quickly than any other year. There are still 24 hours in a day, 365 days in a year. But here it is... the middle of December. Another year is coming to an end. And before those pesky New Year Resolutions can be finalized, it's time to reflect on this past year.

There were some hard decisions made this year. Michael left his job of 13 1/2 years at Southwest Honda. He took a leap of faith and it's been one of the best decisions he has ever made. He's happy. He's less stressed. He enjoys his job at Ryan O'Neal Autos and the amazing group of guys he works with. So, to Ryan... I send you a great big thank you.

Cody also made some tough decisions this year. He struggled for about 4 months before coming to the decision to drop basketball and focus solely on golf during this school year. It wasn't a decision he took lightly. In fact, for only being 16, it was probably the hardest decision he has ever had to make. He's still struggling at times. He loves the game of basketball as much as he loves the game of golf. But, hopefully as time goes on... he'll better accept the decision that he made and will live with no regrets.

There were several happy moments this past year. Our oldest "baby" turned 16. I still can't believe that he's 16. I continue to pray each day as he leaves our home that he will return safely. He has loved this new-found freedom of driving. His little brother thinks it's pretty cool, too.

Caden graduated from speech therapy this year. It's been a long 5 1/2 years of therapy. I am so thankful to each and every therapist that helped Caden overcome his speech disabilities.

Both boys excelled in golf this year. It was an amazing tournament season for both boys! I am so excited to see them learn, grow, and become better golfers each summer! I know I complain about the expense of the country club, the equipment, the tournament entry fees, the lost golf balls... but all that goes away when I watch them play golf. They love it. To see them smile at the end of a perfect putt, or a perfect drive, or to accept their trophy or medal at the end of the tournament... it's all worth it.

Cody competed this summer in a grueling 3 day golf tournament in Wichita Falls. This was his first year competing in the Texas Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament. He played well. Would have been even better had he actually turned in his score card after his last round of the tournament! Apparently, this was an oversight between him and his caddy (his dad). I'm hoping that he and his caddy learned a lesson and this won't happen again next summer! :)

Caden was able to participate in a few tournaments as well. He won 2 trophies this summer and he is so proud of them!

I couldn't be more proud of my boys! They continue to shine and I am so blessed to be right beside them as much as I can... cheering them on!

And as for me... well... I'm just taking each day as it comes. Nothing too exciting has happened. I'm still pressing on in trying to find that perfect job that allows me to balance being a mom and being a nurse. I'd prefer for the scale to lean more towards just being a mom. But... have I mentioned how expensive golf is? Goodness! So if I can keep the scale tilted just a bit more towards mom than nurse... all is good.

At the end of the day... at the end of the year... life is good. I am reminded daily how blessed we are to be healthy and happy. How blessed we are to have each other. How blessed we are to be a family. Life is good.

Now... bring on the New Year Resolutions.

~jen