Happy New Year!

I've been trying to decide how I wanted to tackle a blog post concerning the new year. I contemplated making a long list of resolutions but it really just not in my nature to do so. I'm not a big planner. Besides my work, I've never really found anything, like a hobby, that I have tried to learn and really truly stuck with.

When trying to figure out just how I wanted to tackle the new year, I looked back on old blog posts and found my list of resolutions for 2009:

1. Read the Bible everyday (more than reasonable and do-able)
2. Do not worry as much about what other people think (a must)
3. Daily step back and reflect on the blessings God has gifted in my life
4. Fight the urge to be shy in social situations and approach others more often
5. Lose 30 pounds...

I am excited to say that I believe I have fulfilled three of these. I'm sad to say that those three are the least tangible ones on the list. I believe I have either conquered or gotten much better at numbers 2, 3 and 4. Number 2 I believe has gotten easier as I've gotten older and have my confidence more ground in the Lord than seeking it from the affirmation of others. Number 3... since having Zoey this has truly become second nature. Number 4... I wouldn't say that I'm not shy anymore but I think I'm better about speaking up and also have accepted the fact that I'm just naturally a more introverted person and that is OK.

As far as numbers 1 and 5 are concerned... I'm ashamed that I don't read the Bible as much as I should and that is something I should resolve to do every day not just at the beginning of the year. And, number 5... well, I could say I'm going to finally lose that weight but I'm not going to make that a resolution this year.

I do have a few things I would like to accomplish this year. However, most of all I hope that I become more Christ-like throughout 2012 and I hope that this year people can see the love and character of Christ when they see me.

That being said, here are a few resolutions for this year:

• Learn to sew.
• Post more pictures - I would love to do the Project 365 thing that a lot of people do, but as mentioned before, I'm not good planner and not the most dedicated person when it comes to extracurriculars. So, I'm going to tweak this a bit and do my own Project 52. I hope to take several pictures a week and upload them in a post each week. I think that is more than feasible and something I would be much more likely to stick with.
• Establish a cleaning routine - Just like me not being much for planning, I'm not the best housekeeper. I mean my house isn't gross or anything but I would like to figure out a way to balance my housework with my mommy duties.
• Be more adventurous in the kitchen - I tend to stick to 5 trusty recipes and then I'll throw in a frozen meal here or there. Now that I've gotten into Pinterest, I have found tons of easy recipes that I would love to take a shot at.

Happy 2012!