It's a new year...

Can you believe that it's 2011?! Is it just me, or does it seem that the Y2K scare was just a few months ago? And it's official - I'm getting old and am talking about how the years just fly by :)

In other news, we drove out to Arizona for Christmas to visit family, and are back home safe and sound. Our kids have definitely gotten used to long car trips, and are actually pretty good li'l travelers. The driving itself was uneventful, and we made some lovely memories during our visit. Unfortunately there was some sickness that threw a wrench into some of our plans, but we all survived... The cool picture is from an exhibit at the Arizona Science Center (yes, that really is me!). VERY cool place, and I would recommend it whole-heartedly if you happen to have children and a day to spare in the Phoenix area. We also spent an afternoon at Bounce U, did a bit of baking (these cookies are tasty and relatively healthy!), laughed about our Wii Fit ages, ripped open gifts, and the kids logged mucho miles on scooters, bikes & skateboards. Hoping to upload some pics later this week, but am not promising anything. :)

So there's a new calendar on the wall, and I have a fresh resolve to do/be better. When I broke the 25 pounds lost mark, my "reward" was this bracelet with the word persevere. You see, I often start new projects, but then the enthusiasm fades and the excuses pile up. I vow to organize my entire kitchen, and give up after 2 drawers. I faithfully read my Bible for a few weeks, but then miss a couple days and somehow my quiet time becomes nothing more than reading a single verse. I long to do projects with our children, but am constantly trying to "catch up" on household stuff rather than making time for what's truly important. One of my favorite verses, and one I frequently quote to others is Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Or, as our pastor had shared in a message several months ago, "We gotta pray, praise, and persevere!" Those are the three words that I stamped onto the cover of my fitness journal, and they've served as a constant reminder. Focus on my Savior, keep talking with Him, count my blessings, and continue down the path that he has for me - even if there are days when I only make it an inch. I cannot stand on the sidelines, but need to run the race. Obviously, there are tons of areas in which I can improve, but for now I'm focusing on 2: my health and the house. Part 1: I've been making tracking food and the pounds are coming off - this year, I'll continue with that but want to get into a consistent exercise routine. January goal is to log 30 min 3x / wk with Wii Fit. Part 2: I know I've moaned a lot about the excess stuff in our home, and I'm committing to make it through the kitchen this month. Yes, every drawer and cupboard this time! Maintaining it will be easier as I pare down, too. I will do my best to post updates and thoughts along the journey...

As I was pondering all of this over the weekend, I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of this pile on my kitchen table. No, I did not arrange this - it's simply the result of unpacking the car. Proof of my good intentions and faulty execution! I didn't take a super wide shot, because I was afraid that the book would be lost entirely amongst the snacks, medicine bottle, tools, etc. And then this morning I literally LOL'd as I browsed google reader while sipping my coffee - I'm always inspired by A Holy Experience, and today's post was no exception - but what a difference in the way this same book was presented! (The author of the book also runs Simple Mom, which is another fount of encouragement in my reader that didn't get cut in my recent blog purge)

So here's to a better year. So thankful that I'm not depending on my own strength!!

For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [a]adjusted and [b]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [c]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently

I Corinthians 10:13, Amplified