New Year's Resolution Revisited

I was thinking the other day. . .I wonder if I have accomplished any of my New Year's Resolutions and I am glad that I posted them. I am revisiting and going to highlight what I have accomplished thus far. I still have 1/2 month of August till December to get the other ones accomplished! The proof is in the pictures!!!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

2008 New Year's Resolutions

I am blogging on this basically for my own accountability and reminders of what I am working on! It never hurts to share your deepest passions with all of cyberspace when you need a little accountability. Cheaper by the Half Dozen started this blog topic and has some great resolutions if you need help thinking of something. :)

I am reminded in a post by Wellblog on the subject of New Year’s Resolutions. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”—Prov. 16:9 (NIV) I am keeping that in mind as I think of all that I want to do this year.

She also added in her post that they are doing a Bible study curriculu m (Faithlink Dec. 30, 2007, copyright Cokesbury) and it had this quote: “While a lot of people who make New Year’s resolutions do break them, research shows that maki ng resolutions is useful. People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions.” (Quote by John Norcross, a researcher at the University of Scranton).

Spiritual Goals: How do you measure closeness with Jesus? My only guess is that you look more like Him each day. That’s the goal. The ways that I might attain this. . .
1) Consistent Quiet Time – my time is before bed because I usually hit the hay before hubby; It has been better this year than in a long time. . . not perfect, but on the right track
2) Memorizing Scripture with my family through Awana
3) Praying without ceasing

My vertical relationship will impact my horizontal relationships: reaching out and ministering to others

Family Goals:
1) More Time with my Hubby (You know . . .time)
2) To play with my kids. . .you know to get down on my hands and knees in the floor and play. . .they don’t want presents, they want my presence!! That is going to be my reminder this year. Presence not presents! I am still working on this. . .the other day I taught them how to play rummy which is much more enjoyable than Chutes and Ladders!
I was dugout mom for Gretel's t-ball team this year. That was a lot of fun.

3) I would say to clean my house better. . .nah!! Not important, right!? Maybe I could get a house cleaner in 2008! Woo Hoo!
4) Continue to pray and seek the Lord for wise counsel on our school decisions for next year. Decided to home school both this year. The Lord provided my sweet friend to tag team home school this year. Thank you, Lor d!

5) Continue with my meal planning because they save everyone from chaos during the week. It also saves our family money when I am able to think ahead. Yay!
Who can meal plan with this crazy crew???

6) Take a family vacation somewhere. Celebrate our 10th anniversary somewhere tropical even if I have to decorate the bedroom like a rain forest! 
7) Remember my family’s birthdays and try to get a card to them on or before their birthday. We will start with family first and then work our way to friends. Baby steps!

Physical Goals:
1) Continue with my crazy exercise program; it not only benefits me physically, but emotionally, mentally as well as socially! Wow, now that’s a keeper!
2) Eat well. Look for healthy alternatives to my faves: chips and dip and cookies!
3) Drink water. Like a camel. I will look young when I am 100. Now that’s for thinking ahead!
4) Run or walk in at least one 5K like the Race for the Cure. . .possibly a summertime 5K as well would be fun. Yay! This is me at the end of the Tax Run in our town.

5) Look for ways to push myself physically-like buy a bikini and look in the mirror every day with it on. Never mind. . .erase that mental picture! 

Personal Development Goals:
1) Possibly take classes to get my teaching certificate back; I am studying for the Praxis to get my license back as we speak
2) Continue blogging at least 3 times a week.
3) Work hard and diligently at my job with Apartment Life. Look for ways to honor God and help others in what I do. Take every thought captive when working with applicants.

This is a pic of some of my co-workers. It's not too hard to be diligent with all of the fun that we have between work!

4) Garden this Spring throughout the fall. Very enjoyable. Very rewarding.


Looks like a wild year. And my God always brings on a couple of extras in there. My hope is that my security will lie in Him only this year. . .not things, people or any other distractions. . .only in Him!

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”—Prov. 16:9 (NIV)

Menu Plan Monday

We had a great Olympic Party on Saturday! We were originally planning for Friday, but I double booked myself. I made Swedish Meatballs and they were really good. My small group friends all made incredible things. We represented Russia, Sweden, Mexico (of course), France and Thailand.

Monday - Trixie at Farm Home Life reminded me to make Chicken Fajitas
Tuesday - hot dogs and homemade french fries from the gobs of potatoes we have around here
Wednesday - probably fast food; honey if you wonder where I am until Saturday. . .I will be at my moms; you are in charge of eating everything in the fridge and pantry.
Thursday - on your own
Friday - on your own
Saturday - on your own
Sunday - on your own
Monday - Happy Tummies had this awesome recipe for Honey Chicken Shish Kabobs
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 5 small onions, cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 2 red bell peppers, cut into 2 inch pieces
  • skewers

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, honey, soy sauce, and pepper. Before adding chicken, reserve a small amount of marinade to brush onto kabobs while cooking. Place the chicken, garlic, onions and peppers in the bowl, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours (the longer the better).
  2. Preheat the grill for high heat.
  3. Drain marinade from the chicken and vegetables, and discard marinade. Thread chicken and vegetables alternately onto the skewers.
  4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until chicken juices run clear. Turn and brush with reserved marinade frequently.