As Promised...My Resolutions

I typically don't make resolutions the first of January. Only because if I feel I need a change, I make a change. Regardless of what time of year it is. But because of all of the changes going on in my world lately, there was a sense of ending and new beginning anyway, and it just happened around the first of the year. I did try to make the resolutions ahead of time, therefore decreasing the likelihood of failure (80% of people fail at their new year's resolutions in the first month...so sad!) So I am proud to announce that I am already 2 weeks into my new year's resolutions. I have kind of hit the wall that everyone hits, so writing them down for the world to see will give me the motivation to keep going. So here they are:

 

1. I RESOLVE...to take vitamins and drink more water. This sounds silly, but I am so bad about these 2 things. I forget to take vitamins, and I am just not interested in water. I actually don't require the amount of water that most people do...I have been to a doctor about it. It's not like I substitute water for other drinks...I just don't require a lot of liquids in general. And I can count only one time in my life when I have been dehydrated, so it's not a health issue. But I just feel like one day it might become a health issue, so I should resolve to get in the habit of drinking more water now.

 

2. I RESOLVE...to run every day and have a visible 6-pack by summer 2009. December was not a good exercise month for me. Which is not like me. Running is my stress reliever, but somehow time got away from me, so I wasn't as consistent as I usually am. So I have to get back into the routine of running every day. That is hard, especially on days like today when everything is covered in ice. But I am committed and need to get back into my running routine. Sasha and I are out of shape and that needs to change! And I couldn't help but add the 6-pack goal...I really want one. LOL. Not sure why, but I am going to work toward one :) I plan to do a combination of crunches, pilates, and tae-bo to accomplish that.

 

3. I RESOLVE...to read 2 books a month. I know 2 doesn't sound like a lot, but I have to start somewhere. It is hard for me to find time to read, so I am setting a goal of 2 books a month because I feel that is attainable. And I know once I get back into reading, I will be reading 2 books a week. I'm a bookworm at heart...I have just lost that part of me and need to gain it back. I ordered a lot of books for spiritual growth and have been itching to read them! I am determined to find the time to read. For January, I am reading God: As He Longs for You to See Him by Chip Ingram and The Shack by William P. Young. The first book is for spiritual growth; the second is so that I can be able to have conversations about it with people who have asked my opinion on the book. It is fairly controversial, so in order to have intellectual conversations, I need to read it myself to see what it's about. This book is not directly for my spiritual growth, as it is a fiction book. But I plan to compare it to God's Word to see how it fairs, since so many people are using it as a spiritual tool.

 

4. I RESOLVE...to pray more. I realized that this part of my spiritual life is severely lacking. That's so hard to admit because how awful is that? I pray...but I want to be characterized as a woman of prayer. And I can't honestly say that would describe me right now. My plan has several facets to it. First, I am using a book to get me started. It was a gift from one of the girls in my BSF group, and it has been such a blessing! It's called Face to Face by Kenneth Boa. Second, I am posting my "prayer lists" around my apartment so it is a visible reminder to me to pray. Third, I am dividing my prayers in my planner, so that I have specific things to pray for each day. I schedule everything in my planner and everything written down gets done. So why have I not thought to do that before? Not sure. But I am doing it now.

 

So there you have it. My resolutions. If you have any tips or encouragement to keep me motivated, please feel free to share and keep me accountable!

 

 

Currently Reading: God: As He Longs For You to See Him, by Chip Ingram

Goodbye 2008...Hello 2009!

Ok. So I know I am a little late and it has been forever since I have posted an update. The end of the year was crazy! So I will do my best to bring everyone up to speed on what has been happening...

I stuck around a few days after work was finished before Christmas so that I could go to my friend Nicki's brother's wedding (that's a mouthful!) He got married in Fort Worth, so Laura and I drove out to be there. It was so great to see Nicki and to be there with her and her family. I am so blessed to have such sweet friends, so blessed to still be able to keep in contact despite  the fact we are in different cities and different stages in our lives. Here is a picture of the 3 of us at the wedding:

After the wedding, I headed home for Christmas. It was so great to be home. It was a little surreal, but good to spend time with family. It was a busy week, full of activities. One of my Christmas presents was that my parents paid for me to get my hair cut and highlighted. I decided that it was time for a change and that I should chop my hair off. So I cut 8 inches! I LOVE my new haircut- it's so much easier and lighter.

While at home, I was able to hang out with Lauren, which was so great and long overdue. I had missed seeing her the last time I was in town because I got sick. We went to dinner and then to a movie. We decided to check out what the craze was about the movie Twilight. LOL. Oh my gosh. I wasted my money (sorry if I am offending anyone). It was probably one of the most ridiculous movies I have seen in a long time. Lauren and I laughed through the whole thing. It was definitely entertaining to be in a theatre full of young teens. I am pretty sure it was not meant to be a comedy, but when the main character (who is a vampire, btw) says things like, "You're like a drug to me. Like my own personal brand of heroine," you can't help but crack up. Despite the ridiculous movie, it was fun to see Lauren and catch up with her.

The strange thing about the holiday was that the drama was not what I expected. I expect drama on my mom's side of the family. But there was none! We spent Christmas Eve over at my grandmother's house, playing cards and complaining about how my aunt and cousin stole all of the tamales and pan de polvo and how we barely had enough for Christmas. Haha. We drew names again this year and exchanged gifts, and we also introduced the "re-gift" white elephant gift exchange. I hadn't laughed so hard in my life. My gift wasn't so bad (I got a can of Christmas candy), but there was a Cinderella in her pumpkin centerpiece, a Tweety Bird cell phone lounger, and an owl with an eye-patch ornament floating around. It was so fun! We went to midnight mass with my grandmother, and overall it was a great Christmas with that side of the family. The drama was on my dad's side, which is not expected. There is never drama on that side. We had Christmas at our house, and it was just strange for things to not be normal with that side of the family.

Because things were crazy with extended family, my parents, brother, and I didn't celebrate our Christmas until that night. While Christmas was small this year (on my end), I do have to say that I am super proud of the gift I gave my mom this year. She has been wanting a Christmas centerpiece for a couple of years now, but they are fairly expensive. So I decided to undertake the project of making one for her. And I LOVED how it turned out! And my mom liked it too. My dad said I should make several and sell them...could be lucrative. Haha. It's a little hard to see because of my mom's tablecloth, but hopefully you can get the idea.

The day after Christmas, I headed back to Dallas for our last program at work- Mental Toughness for Pageantry. It was hosted at the Grand Hyatt DFW, which is the most amazing hotel I have stayed at in a long time. The hotel is beautiful, and the staff was phenomenal. Richelle and I didn't really know what to do with ourselves, because there was always someone there asking if we needed anything, asking how they could help. We're not used to that...we are usually running around doing things on our own, having to seek out people if we need something. So this was a treat! And not only were they helpful with the program, they were awesome at taking care of us. I discovered that the DFW airport is a Pepsi-only airport (boo!) and I wasn't able to find Dr Pepper. A major issue. But the hotel staff found out that is what I like to drink and every day I had my own ice bucket full of Dr Peppers! The program was wonderful- everything ran smoothly and the girls really seemed to enjoy themselves. It was fun to meet several current titleholders, and we are convinced that the next Miss USA and/or Miss America is coming from our group :) Here is a picture of Richelle and I, then a group shot:

In case you are wondering, I did make a few New Year's resolutions, but I made them before January 1st in an effort to diminish the likelihood of failure. When I have a little more time, I will share those. Happy New Year!

A Poor Woman's Christmas Card

So my financial situation is a bit tighter this year than I had hoped for or anticipated. I have been trying to save in as many ways as I can, cutting back in areas that I never thought I could. In a way, the simplification of my life is soul cleansing and good. But sometimes it's hard. One of the things I had to say no to this year was sending Christmas cards. This made me VERY sad, because I love picking out the perfect one, addressing the envelopes to friends and family...and I absolutely love the nutcracker postage stamps this year! But it just wasn't in the budget. Sigh. Oh well.

 

So instead, I decided to design my own card and post it here. So to all of my friends and family (at least the ones who read my blog), this is a special delivery from my heart to yours.

 

Outside of card:

 

 

Inside of card:

 

 

  

Currently Watching: A Charlie Brown Christmas



One of Those Days...

Have you ever felt like you were being kicked while you were already down, bruised, and bleeding? Yeah. That was today.

 

God, I just don't understand...I am your servant and I have been obedient. I am seeking you with all that is in me, to the best of my finite ability. When will this stop being so difficult? When will you provide deliverance? I love you, Lord, but I just don't understand...

Christmas is Near!

Christmas is only 12 days away! 

I have no idea how the days have gone by so quickly. Just a little while ago, it seemed like Christmas couldn't get here soon enough. And now, I just can't believe it's almost here! I spent the day doing some Christmas shopping, which mainly means I spent the day surrounded by crazy shoppers: fighting for parking spots, waiting in long lines, traffic...but I was in no hurry, so the crowds didn't bother me as much as they usually do. I did have to call it quits late in the afternoon because it was getting to be just a bit too much. Haha. It's what I get for waiting this late. Oh well.

Tonight, Laura and I headed out to Terrell, TX for Walk with the Wise Men. It is a live nativity performance that a local church puts on every year. It was so great! When we arrived, we were welcomed and told that we could take a seat and sing some Christmas carols or take our picture with a wise man while we waited. Of course, Laura and I opted to take our picture with the wise man! It was free, and they gave us a copy to take home with us! It wasn't until they were making announcments that we realized it was technically for the kids. Adults were welcome to take their pictures with the wise man if they wanted, but you know....

I think it turned out great! And it's a fun memory of our walk with the wise men...

After waiting for our number to be called, we finally began our journey through the Christmas production. We walked back in time to when Christ was born...Mary and Joseph, centurions and innkeepers, angels and shepherds, and (of course) wise men. The scenes and costumes were very well done! Oh, and there were definitely live animals- horses, a donkey, and a sheep. The sheep was the best part...he pretty much just bleeted the whole time, begging someone to pay attention to him. I couldn't help but laugh when he started eating the jacket of the man standing next to me. The church gave a gospel presentation and offered refreshments at the end of the walk. And we definitely received a gospel track on a million dollar bill. It was a fun and interesting night! I really enjoyed it, and it definitely made me excited about being in the Christmas season. It got me focused on the true meaning of the season.