2012 Getting Real

I have never blogged to clear my mind, but there is a first time for everything. I made a resolution last year to lose weight, and I am a few pounds shy of losing 40 lbs. So what did I do this January? I made 8 resolutions. I wanted to write this post to remember and to be held accountable.
1. Lose the last few pounds. Which seems easy, but these last few are a KILLER
2. Cooking Lighter. I only changed the way I ate breakfast and lunch to lose weight and ate less at dinner, but now that Jon David is off baby food. I feel such a responsibility to ditch the chessy cream of mushroom casseroles and offer fresh lighter meals. I have tons of meals "pinned" and ready to go!
3. Lower the grocery bill. I just cannot GET the coupon thing, but I've GOT to try! I rarely see coupons for the things I use. I have been trying to shop around to get the best price and trying to stock up on sale items.
4. Quiet time I for sure need to be in the word more. I got 2 sweet devotionals for Christmas that I love. I don't feel so overwhelmed if I miss a day. Also, I try to read, pray, and sing with Jon David every night.
5. Christian music I can hear a song now that I listened to in the car with my dad and know every word. If the song comes on my eyes fill with tears, and I become so greatful for that legacy! Jon David watches Yo Gabba Gabba on silent when we travel, but it won't be long before he catches on to songs, and I want to leave that legacy with him. I want him to know praise and worship songs and even hymns!
OK the first 5 were easy but the next 3 are the BIG ones
6. Less Noise Through the day as I get a chance I will look on pinterest, twitter, facebook, and catch up on blogs (of people I don't even know! It's out of control). Before as Jon David was content I would check something out, but I have really been convicted to intentionally get in the floor more with him and wait til he is in bed before I check things out. I also try to limit my time when it is just Jonathan and I.
7. Less Shopping I am so blessed to get to stay home with Jon David and wouldn't trade it for the world. My sweet friend Sarah is not buying anything this year unless she has a gift card. WOW! I just don't know if I can go that far. Jonathan and I love to run in Ross, Marshall, TJMaxx, Burkes, or any other "cheaper" store. I am going to only buy one thing a month! This month it was a pair of $10.80 jeans from Forever 21. I know since I have lost weight I will need a few items in the spring/summer but I am limiting it to 5 items and will try to spend less than $60!
8. Get Involved In May we left our church home. It was a very hard decision. We LOVED our pastor, our lifegroup and our church in general but there was just one thing we were struggling with. Around the same time my dad began a church plant. We knew we would go to, but then the Lord changed Jonathan's heart. We started looking for a church in our community and FELL IN LOVE! The pastor is so sweet. It is a smaller church so there are lots of fellowship opportunities. Through the holidays we didn't get too involved, but next week Jon David and I will start going to family night supper and Bible Study together since Jonathan gets off so late. We have started a Sunday School class we enjoy, and I am really looking forward to meeting people. I really am praying this is the best decision for our family and in for our marriage. I already think it is. I have felt the Lord's leading and guiding so much during this time. Going from somewhere I knew everyone to somewhere I know no one has been a little lonely! I also started a Bible Study last night with some girls in our community that I LOVE!!! I am praying the Lord continues to open doors and bring the right people into our lives.

Holidays

Through the holidays I really didn't have a chance to blog. Jon David's naps are getting shorter and I workout during his naps. Then the following picture was for Jonathan's parents for Thanksgiving and I loved it too much to post it too early and ruin their surprise!
Through the holidays Jon David turned 18 months. He is doing the funniest things
He loves to tell our dogs no when they bark. He runs to the stair every night when I ask if he's ready for bath. He can throw diapers away and put bottles in the sink. I think he may be tidy like his mommy.

We had a great low key Thanksgiving. We went to Jonathan's Aunt Judy's house. It was a beautiful day. We ate a great lunch and then stayed outside all afternoon.

This is what Jon David did for HOURS!!!

On Christmas Eve we went to Mom and Dad's early to have Christmas with them and the grandbabies. Then Jon David got a nap. We went to Dad's sisters' and then back to Mom and Dad's for mom's family get together. I LOVE Christmas. Not really the gifts but spending time with family!

Jon David did NOT love Christmas. He pitched a fit everywhere we went and wanted no part of opening gifts. Maybe next year.

I did at least get a good family picture and Jonathan smiled!!!

It took Jon David about 15 min to react to his presents Christmas morning. The hits were the slide, the tractor, and the Yo Gabba Gabba boombox.

An example of Jon David's love of Christmas.

After we opened presents Christmas morning we went to Wendi's to open gifts with Jonathan's family. I LOVE Christmas Day with them. We open gifts and then just have a lazy day playing games, eating, and laying around. It is perfect!!!

Jonathan was off a lot through Christmas and we LOVED it. A few days after Jonathan's parents left we went to their house in Alabama. We celebrated New Year's Eve with his extended family playing BINGO and then New Years Day his Nana cooked lunch (which was amazing) and his brother and his family came over to spend the afternoon. It was such a sweet time. Jonathan and I both love family so much. I hope we enstill that in Jon David!