New Year's Resolution

I hesitate to even say what I want to resolve to do this year, because to some, it may seem selfish. However, I have come to realize that sometimes in order to be the best mommy and wife that I can be, I have to be a little selfish and realize that I have to take care of ME sometimes, too.

I am very proud of my husband and older sons in that they have worked very hard over the past 2 + years, and have worked their way up to the black belt level of Tae Kwon Do. In that time period, I have also completed my Master's Degree, started a new itinerant job that has changed locations each year, had a pregnancy with complications, and given birth to a baby and helped raise him to this point. There have been many nights...normally 2-3 a week...that I have taken care of at least one child by myself so that Chris could be in classes. I do not begrudge him this, but I do believe that it is time for ME to get some ME time as well!

I fight depression and anxiety constantly, and also have fibromyalgia. So taking care of ME helps me to stay healthy and well, and I am therefore able to care for my family and do my best work in my job and Christian witness. If I do not give myself some time away from my work and home life, I find myself becoming more agitated and depressed.

My husband and I started a weight loss regimen this time last year and we have done well on it. Before the holidays, Chris had lost almost 50 pounds, and I had lost 15-20, fluctuating as women often do! So I also want to get back on track and lose the rest of the weight that I have hanging on from birthing children!

Given the above reasons, I am going to work on asking myself,"Is it good for ME?" this year. If it does not contribute to my mental, physical, and spiritual health, I am going to work on cutting it out of my life. That may mean that I have to say no to some things that I used to say yes to, in order to make others happy. I am realizing as I quickly approach my 40s that *I* count, too. I cannot make everyone happy, and I have to live with myself 24 hours a day, whereas these people that I try to make happy are NOT with me all day, every day. If they are unhappy with me, it will pass. If I live in a manner that makes ME unhappy and unhealthy, I have to live with it all the time.

So there it is...2012 will be the year I ask myself,"Is it good for ME?" I will try to do this in a way that is not self-centered, but is done in order to serve my Lord, my family, and my own health and sanity in the best way possible.

I just about asked,"What do you think?!" LOL Yes, I am curious if anyone reading this thinks it makes sense, but first and foremost, I am focusing on the internal peace that I am feeling now that I have actually decided to take care of ME, for a change!! So here is to a new year!! I believe it will be a great one!!

H is for Happy!

I'm loving participating in Alphabe-Thursday with Jenny Matlock! I'm all about looking for things that I enjoy cause there have been multiple mini-sicknesses....colds, ear infections, such....in our household this fall, and I'm all about looking for the good and making things HAPPY! So here are some things that make me happy!!

Thing #1: Isaac, my eldest...my sensitive child....so very proud of him, and all that he is! He is smart, self-motivated, kind, sweet...he's awesome!

This picture is not recent, of course....he's 9 now, but look what an adorable lil fella he was!!



Thing #2: Adam, my middle child. Love his heart, he was the baby of the family for over 6 years, and it hasn't been easy on him to transition to the middle position. He is also the most like me, so he drives me crrrrrrazzzzzy at times!

Again, not a recent pic...but he looks a lot like Robbie here, I think, so I chose this one to share! :)



Thing #3: my sweet baby Robbie! The child that God knew we needed to make our life complete! He is SUCH a good baby and we are so blessed to have him in our life!

This is my favorite picture of him because it reminds me of a print from a magazine from years past!



Thing #4, or Thing #1 since I "had" him first...my darling husband! What a blessing he is to me. I am so honored to be his wife and partner in this marriage. I cannot imagine life without him!

This picture was taken on our anniversary when we were expecting Adam....back when we were only a family of 3!



I could go on and on and on about my fantastic family members and show you my sisters, my parents, my nieces and nephews, but I will focus on some other things.....

I love me some Jersey Shore! When I was alone quite a bit this summer (well...alone with a nonverbal infant!) I got totally hooked on Jersey Shore and Real Housewives of New Jersey. They are just so different from anything I've ever experienced, I got hooked in!



C'mon, admit it....you wanna yell out "It's T-shirt TIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!" just one time!!

This is a local restaurant chain called Pal's, and it is superb, ya'll! If you find yourself in Southwestern Virginia or Northeastern Tennessee, look 'em up cause you won't be disappointed! Local folks who have moved away make a point of eating there when they go home!



OK, again, I could go on and on with this, but I think I will stop there. Needless to say, I can find many things that make me happy. I'm very blessed! I hope that you, too, find happiness today, and please stop by again!