We’ve been busy busy busy around here and I haven’t felt much like writing. I’ve sat down to write a post once or twice but the words just don’t feel right so I walk away and never come back to it. The words still don’t feel right today but I’ve decided that I am going to force myself to sit down and actually post something.
How were your holidays? Ours were great. Filled with family and fun and presents.
Then a week long vaca at the Happiest Place on Earth and when I say that I mean it. It is our favorite place on earth. Which is why we spent five straight days at Disneyland and California Adventure.
It is good to be home though. I never thought nine hours of laundry followed by two hours of washing cars would actually feel good but it does in a masochistic sort of way.
There were many happy memories made this week but one that sticks out as so so special is our Build-a-Bear experience. Evangeline received a gift card for B.A.B. over Christmas so I put it aside to use at Downtown Disney because they have an awesome two story B.A.B. and I wanted to check it out. I wasn’t so excited about the regular ‘ole bears and bunnies downstairs and it was packed like a can of sardines in there so we trekked on upstairs where they had Build-a-Dino. An ecstatic Eva picked out a Pteranodon just like on the show “Dinosaur Train” and named it Tiny.
I have never seen her more excited about shopping. She had her arms full of clothes and accessories for her little dino. I wish I had taken a picture. We had to pry half of it out of her hands of course.
It was just a truly delightful experience to see my little one so happy and about something that I thoroughly approve of. I don’t like her to watch too much TV but Dinosaur Train is a great new show on PBS which also touches a bit on adoption.
Now that the holidays and vacation are over I can get back to school and start working on my goals for this year. One of which is losing the 5 pounds that I gained during all the glutinous festivities.
*And no none of these business are paying me to write great things about them. I wish they were….but they’re not.
I love this time of year when we get to reflect on the past year and look ahead for what the new year will bring.
When I think about the things that I was able to accomplish this last year I am proud that I have finally lost the extra weight I had been carrying around these last 6 years. It felt so good to loose those 20 lbs and keep them off. I started working out at the gym and cutting back on calories last March. I am 2 lbs up from my low weight (this year) and I am anxious to get back to the gym so I can work it off. Actually I have about 5 or 7 more pounds that I would like to lose this next year. But if I were only to lose back those 2 I would be happy with that. Mainly I am just looking forward to getting back to the gym because I love the way I feel after a good workout. I am ashamed to say I haven’t been in almost a month and I can tell a BIG difference in the way I feel.
When I think about what I would like to see happen for next year, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is definitely on the top of my list. Some of the things I plan to do to make that happen are…
1. Make an appointment with a personal trainer (at my gym this is free once a month)
2. Drink more water
3. Take fish oil
4. No more alcohol in the house
5. No more sweets in the house
6. Limit eating out to once a week (including breakfast and lunch)
I also have some non health related goals.
1. Start going to church regularly once Eva turns 2
2. Stop spending money on things I don’t need
3. When I feel frustrated take a deep breath and count to ten instead of yelling.
4. ??????
The last goal is something I am still trying to figure out. I want it to be related to a career or school goal. You see, my husband started working at an accelerated college this year and was told that I would be able to go back and get my Masters for almost free. That was a big part of my decision to stay home because I knew I would be returning to school soon. Well now he is not so sure, so far he has found out that they will pay 80% of my undergrad but not for grad school. Soooo now I am back to square one. Honestly though, I feel like this might be a blessing in disguise. After seeing that movie (Marley & Me) and after writing down what my childhood dreams were I have been thinking a lot about my dream of being a journalist. It might just be a phase but I just don’t feel like I am ready to give that dream up yet. I know that my writing skills are nowhere near good enough to be a journalist but if I go back to school I know I could learn and improve.
I am a firm believer that writing down your goals and being intentional about them goes a long way in things happening in your life. I am excited to re-read this next year and see what has happened!
*Photo Credit: Big Stock Photo
