January Randomness

Well, you can tell that the fun and festivities of Christmas are just a distant memory because there are very few pictures of a certain brown-eyed toddler.  We've had a low-key January with very little going on, and it's been nice to stay at home and relax. 

After Christmas, I went to Paul Michael's in Lake Village and bought me a mesh wire wreath and some winter white sparkly mesh.  I bought some pink, green and blue to make a new one in the spring too.  (It's the little things, people). 

A couple of weekends ago, we had the Yates over and believe it or not, it was about 70 degrees outside that day.  We had to turn on the AC that night.  Gotta love some Arkansas weather.  That afternoon, we went to the grocery story.  This little boy, who's wearing the high-waters, is talking pretty good these days.  He was saying "oh well" but it sounded more like "Oh whale".  

Jack Thomas is about 4 months younger than Jackson, and they played pretty well together.  As well as two toddlers can.  Jackson hasn't quite learned the concept of sharing, but I know we'll get there one day.  Just gotta practice.  

Sorry all of the pictures are blurry - again, it's hard to capture moving toddlers.

When it was time for them to go, I told Jackson to give him a hug, and he did.  It was so cute.  Jackson is really a sweet boy.  He also loves to wave at everybody as we're walking down hallways (doesn't matter where - school or church).  He's very friendly and it makes me laugh.  

 

Jackson looks like he's about to slap JT, but that wasn't the case.  They were just two tired boys.  

In additional catching-in fashion, the last two weeks have been filled with sickness.  Last week, Jackson had an ear infection, and then this week he and I have both battled a head cold virus.  Mine was probably worse, and it caused us to stay it home most of the week.   (He had fever and I just felt lousy all over).  Plus, my nose has run non-stop since Wednesday, so I'm just ready to feel better.  I got a steroid shot yesterday and have finished a z-pack and have felt some better today.  I am very thankful that it wasn't the flu, because most of the people at the doctor's office had something much worse.  I hope we can have another low-key weekend so we can recover and get back to normal.  

18 Month Photo Session

We went to Sears in December to take some pictures of the little man and they turned out great. 

I love this one! 

Gamma was with us and she got in on the action as well.  She's really looking good these days! 

New Year's Resolutions

I typically don't make resolutions for the new year because they're hard to keep, but this New Year, I've been really reflective of the past year and what I want 2013 to look like. I'll be honest - 2012 was rather difficult at times, both personally and professionally. I think the theme of the year was "let's hit my head against this closed door and maybe it will open", instead of "wait on God to open the right door for you."  So that's my motto for this year.

We've had medical issues this past year, so I'm praying for a year of good health for all of us.  We've had to make adjustments to our schedules, so I'm praying for flexibility to adapt to any new adjustments that may come our way.  We've had to make financial sacrifices, so I'm praying for not more money but for the wisdom to better manage what we have been given.  We've had missed opportunities for professional growth, so I'm praying that we won't have any regrets in missed opportunities because God is still control of our lives and it didn't happen for a reason.

What I'm trying to remind myself of every day is to focus on these things:  Faith, Family, Finances, and Food.

1.  Faith:  I want be better at reading the bible, and not just reading, but studying the Word.  In order to pass that along to my children, I first have to know it by heart.

2.  Family:  I want to have more patience with my boys, especially at the end of the day, from the hours of 5-8 p.m. in the evening.  This is a very stressful time for me - after driving home in the rush hour madness, I have to figure out what to fix for supper (usually two different things because Jackson needs to eat.right.now).  There's stuff in piles everywhere and it's just overwhelming.  So I want to take the time to plan meals, give my undivided attention to my boys, and not let the stress of the day ruin our precious hours together.

3. Finances:  We are going to be very mindful and deliberate of our spending this year, which will directly impact the things we want in 2014.  And of course praying that God will guide our decisions as well.

4.  Food:  I've been trying really hard this fall and holiday season to loose weight, but I'll be honest - Christmas didn't go as planned.  Now that my ankle is healed, I'm going to get back into exercising and tracking what I eat.  It's going to be a good year to meet those health goals (as I type meat instead of meet). ha!

Of all of these goals or resolutions, I also have to remember that God has to be in them or I'll keep hitting my head against that door. I'm excited for 2013 and I know it's going to be a great year.