Saturday, December 29, 2007
The New Year is Fast Approaching...
The new year is coming, and fast. B. and K. have gone down to the coast with a small group to participate in Eight Days of Hope--where people get together and rebuild homes for those who lost theirs in Hurricane Katrina. There are 1100 people participating this time-- An incredible opportunity for them. I have found myself very reflective since Christmas and especially since B. and K. left yesterday morning. What do I want to accomplish in 2008--what do I need to work on? In 2007, my biggest thing was to read the Bible through. I am glad to say that I did it. I also wanted to continue to exercise regularly (my big thing from 2006) and read a great assortment of books. I did those things too. I have a few things on my mind for 08--
1. I want to make a quilt. I don't even own a sewing machine, and haven't really made anything with a sewing machine since junior high (which would be 25 years ago). I don't know why the idea fascinates me, but it does. I am going to find the cheapest sewing machine, and the easiest quilt pattern, and I am going to do it. I have to save up for the sewing machine first. It is right after Christmas, and we are now broke!
2. I am also planning to do both of Beth Moore's 90 day Personal Reflection series (one on Jesus and one on David) and read through the New Testament twice. Beth is a wonderful teacher, and I have so enjoyed all the studies I have gone through. I highly recommend her--along with Joyce Meyer.
3. Continue my Exercise--4-5 days per week for 40-45 minutes. This includes going to Curves. My weight has gone up this year in spite of all the exercise though. I am very bothered by it. I am facing the fact that my eating habits will have to change. Ugh. I always heard this happened around age 40. Whatever will I do?
4. I am also going to work on materialism in my life. My goal is to not buy myself any unnecessary item this entire year, including books (yikes)--other than the sewing machine. That's necessary to fulfill one of my goals, right? I am only going to buy the necessary items for my whole family as well. Wow, my kids won't know what hit them!! and..
5. I guess I will be hitting the library to read the books on my To Read List for 2008 ( I'm sure I will add more as the year progresses. This should give me a good start though):
To Read:
Secret Life of Becky Miller--Sharon Hincke
Safely Home-- Randy Alcorn
The Kite Runner--Khaled Hosseini (I've already read A Thousand Splendid Suns)
Captivating-- John and Staci Eldridge
Eats, Shoots, and Leaves-- Lynne Truss
Nothing To Fear--Jackie French Koller
It's a Jungle Out There--Rod Snell
My Sister's Keeper--Jodi Picoult (this is a possibility. She is a secular author and I have not read her before. I don't know if she is appropriate or not)
I will close this ridiculously long post with a few pictures from our Christmas holiday time at B's parent's house.
K. with a BAM card--a dream gift for her.
M. with the Scrapbooking kit she asked for.
A. with a new Lego kit. He enjoys these and has already, with the help of Dad, put it together. (His shirt says, "I Don't Do Mistletoe" I had to get it for him.)
M. and I had a lot of fun working on this Gingerbread House--from a kit. I think it's something we will do every year.
Labels: Family
8 Comments:
Jenna, you have some great goals! I have read some of Jodi Picoult's books. A few I quit reading because of language or explicit scenes. I did read Plain Truth (my favorite), My Sister's Keeper, Nineteen Minutes, and Songs of the Humpback Whale (least favorite). I know they all had some language in them, but Plain Truth had the least because it was set in an Amish community. She is a good writer, but I am becoming more and more inclined to skip any books with bad language. With these books, the language is not pervasive, but it is there. I just thought I would let you know so you could make an informed decision. Maybe some others will chime in with their opinions as well. Glad you had a good Christmas!
Those are some great goals. I like the materialism goal best. I usually don't myself unnecessary things but I do buy books on occasion. I need to use the library more so that I save money and so that I don't keep books around the house that I really don't plan to keep forever. I usually take them to a consignment shop or something and really I lose a lot of money that way.
I'm also with you on the exercise. I need to be more open to doing that. The weight seems to pack itself on a lot faster as I age. Thanks for the inspiration to get that going!
I've always wanted to make a quilt too and I have a sewing machine (that barely get's touched... just dusted :o).
My weight is up too. That is one thing I am trying to get myself prepared for with the new year.
More than anything I just feel like this is going to be a year of wonderful blessings and I am anticipating much joy!
Your kiddos are so cute!
Wow--I have not even set resolutions. I should since our life will be changing so much. I was going to do the lose weight thing--but that's kind of out of the question now. I am going to exercise though. I need to work on consistency. I have a very bad tendency to gain 15-20 lbs. during one half of the year and lose it the other half.
We are waiting on Joseph to find out if he passed his boards (I'm sure he did). I will need to focus on the materialism thing, too. It will be a challenge for me since we will have some income now.
Good list! I want to see the quilt when you get done!
Jenna~
What a great list of goals!!!
This past year, I too STOPPED buying books...and started going to the library....and ya know what....it works GREAT!!!
I also LOVED your family pictures!!! What a great job on the gingerbread house!!
Blessing to you and your family in 2008!!!
I love your goals...especially not buying anything that isn't necessary. Your book list looks great. I have read several of these books.
Have a happy new year!
:-) Susan
What a great list of goals. I need to make one of those.
I hope you enjoy quilting. When we were first married I thought it was a hobby only for the elderly ; )
but, I took a class at the library and found out that I really LOVE it! : )
I want to make a quilt too! I have a machine and use it but just haven't learned to quilt. I read Sister's Keeper but nothing else yet by Picoult, think I'll try Plain Truth though. There is some language in it as Lauren said but I don't remember it being every page, the subject matter of that one was hard and that one stayed with me for a while when done. I've seen lots of people talking a/b Kite Runner, guess I need to check the library for it sometime.
Love your pics! Cute kids and mama!
Post a Comment
<< Home