So, I know in my previous post I wrote that I don’t normally make resolutions, I just do things. While that is true, today, I got an idea to “do something”. And thus, being New Years Eve, I supposed it could be considered in the realm of a New Years Resolution. And, actually, upon further thought, I realized that I do try to do this every year, and yet, never seem to succeed. Something, up to and including myself, manages to get in my way. You see, I’ve never read my Bible from cover to cover. It’s a shame really, and I know that there are many Christians who are the same way, especially in my generation. By cover to cover, I don’t necessarily mean reading it from one page to the next till the end, I just mean having read every book of the bible at some point in life. I think that as Christians we should be utilizing this tool as much as possible, considering (but not only because)there are people in places who are giving their lives in order to get their hands on a copy, just for a touch, a taste, and here we have 6 or 7 sitting on our shelf and I’ve probably never even read a complete 50%. Pathetic. I know. So every year around this time, I start thinking that I’m going to follow one of those “read your bible in a year” guides, where it tells you which chapter and verses you should read each day in order to finish by the end of the year. But somewhere around Jan. 10th, I’m already a few days behind, and by February I’m saying “Reading the Bible in one year? Impossible”. It’s time to turn over a new leaf. You know, I can make excuses, some of which are likely completely valid. Like how I’m raising two small children, and I have a busy schedule, with extracurricular activities. But then I remember that God gave those children, and he gave me this life, and all the things that I enjoy in it. Would it really hurt me to give back 1/2 hr AT LEAST of my day?!?! I think not! In fact I think I would probably find myself more refreshed, more at ease and at peace, happier, wiser, etc, etc. So why do I not stick with it? The sermon at church today was about happiness, and being blessed. The Preacher man said that our guide to having a “Happy New Year” was the Bible. If we are following His word, and His plan for our lives, that we would in turn, have happiness. Not fleeting “I’m so happy” type happiness, but true unfading, unchanging, unwavering JOY. Lately I’ve really been wanting to start waking up before my kids get up, and get a head start on the day. My current usual routine is that The Boy comes running into my room sometime between 8:30 and 9:30am (I know, I’ve got it good.) yelling “I need to go!!!” and sometime in the next 10 minutes, Little Girl wakes up too, and we all go down and enjoy breakfast together, and afterwards we all go back up, to which the kids watch a quick cartoon while I have a shower and get ready. By the time we’re ready to do anything or go anywhere or whatever, it’s already 10 or later, and I can’t help but thinking that we’re missing out on a few hours of our day! So I’ve really been wanting, and only slightly trying, to get up around 7 or so, around the time that Dan wakes up and leaves and shower and be ready before the kids. This also would serve to eliminate that TV time in the morning that always leaves me feeling guilty. So, this morning I was hearing that voice “You know, Jenn, this would be a really great thing for you to start doing. Wake up early, get ready for the day, and spend a bit of time with Me before you start the day”. I have a friend who does this, and has coffee and prays with her husband in the morning before they get going, and I was thinking “Woah, I should really be doing that.” I mean, if somebody else can, then I can too right?? So, I don’t want to make this a “New Years Resolution” for fear that I will feel some sort of stigma about it, and not really pull through, but I think this year is going to be different. I’m going to do my best everyday to get up between 7 and 8am to get ready and spend some time praying and reading before the day, with or without my husband. I’m not necessarily going to follow a “read your bible in a year” type guide, but I’m just going to read SOMETHING. And try to make it something I’ve never read before. I’m going to take a break (from getting up early) on Weekends, and I’m also going to start keeping a prayer journal, that way I can look each day, and remember who I wanted to pray for. To go along with this, I’m also going to start going to bed before or by 11pm everyday. The kids are usually in bed by around 9pm, so this hopefully shouldn’t be TOO difficult. Except those days when blogging, scrapbooking, G.R.A.W., Daniel are calling my name…….those days it’s difficult. Well, cheers everyone, “Happy” New Year, and hopefully I can keep this non-New Years Resolution. 
Archive for December, 2006
A Resolution? Really?
Another Survey Copycat…
This time from my sister.
1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
Smelt the Ocean. I’ve been to Vancouver before, and jumped in the Ocean, but I’ve never spent a long period of time right next to it and smelling it like I did this time. It was glorious.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I usually don’t make any, simply because I never end up keeping them, so I think, what’s the point? If I decide I want to change something I’m doing, or do something different, or strive to do something special, I just do it. I don’t need New Years for that.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I can think of…I hope I don’t get myself in trouble by not thinking of anyone! But my mind is blank!!!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Well, close to me as in a relative, my Grandmother on my Dad’s side…but we weren’t close.
5. What countries did you visit?
Hmm, I don’t think I left the country this year. How boring! HAH!
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
More time. But, I suppose, the year will go by the same, and I will have the exact same amount of time as I did last year. Although I think it will feel like even less this year than last. Doesn’t it seem like every year goes faster?
7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I couldn’t tell you the exact day, but I’ll always remember visiting my Grams a few days before she died, and the conversation had in her hospital room with one of my Uncles, and the prayer I shared with Grams and my closest cousin. And also, likely her funeral day. There are a few others, but they are more personal.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
These are hard questions. Maybe I’m just feeling uncreative/unresponsive today. Does that mean that it’s a bad time to be doing a survey like this? I’m probably just being insanely boring. Sorry about that. Biggest achievement, lets see…I’m playing indoor soccer, I’m pretty much back to my pre-Little Girl body size/weight, I handmade ALL of my Christmas cards.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Fail? Who. Me? NEVER.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Actually, I proclaimed a victory with illness! Dan, and the kids all had the flu about a month ago, and I came out completely unscathed!! I fully expected my turn at this AWFUL flu they all had, and I never got it, to all of our amazement! I fell on our backyard rink the other night a pulled a muscle in my shoulder pretty bad, I’m still considering going to see a doctor. But I think it’s getting better, so I’m holding off. I also had my toenail broken half off. A really large girl STOMPED on my big toe during a soccer game and snapped the nail right in half. That was fun. Soaking in Epsom Salts, taping it to keep it from falling off completely.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
OOoooooo. I know this one. Our van. Here’s the story; this summer came around, and we were beginning to realize that having the Durango just wasn’t really working for us. It was big, and ate a LOT of gas, and just wasn’t really necessary. We were looking to upgrade to something newer and Dan was working on me to get a MiniVan. Now, I always maintained that I would never drive a minivan, that it was just way too Suburban Mom for me, and I wasn’t that Woman, and I didn’t want that stigma. However, in the name of comprimise, I agreed to just “look” at one and check it out. WELL! Was I pleasantly surprised! I didn’t feel the “stigma” I had been imagining, nor the Suburban Mom tag I thought I would. And it is SO much more convenient when it comes to little kids getting in and out. I never have to worry about dinging doors with the vehicle next to me in a parking lot, The Boy can jump right in by himself, and close the door himself with the push of a button. It has plenty of cargo room, having Sto-&-Go, and being a Grand Caravan, instead of just a Caravan. (It’s 6 inches longer. Seems like not much, but makes a huge difference for leg room in the back row.) These days with the price of gas as it is, it’s also way more economical, and makes travelling much less $$ stressful. It’s shiny red (like Lightning McQueen, according to my Cars-loving son) and everything I’ve ever wanted!!!!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My Mom. She has really mellowed a lot this past year. And she got saved. I think that has something to do with it. But it has been SO cool. I hope she doesn’t mind me putting that. If you do, Mom, just tell me, I can edit.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mmmm…I don’t think it would be appropriate to mention. You know who you are. (UNCLE ROB.) There are others though too…
14. Where did most of your money go?
What money?
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Scrapbooking! Christmas! Cars!(the movie) Victoria! Jim and Pam! – the exclamation points are to show excitement. Is it working??
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Any Brad Paisley song from the Time Well Wasted album. Actually, probably a bunch of songs. Mostly country music. Cuz that’s just how I roll.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a) I’m about the same.
b) Thinner!! 50lbs less baby!!!
c) Poorer, but that’s ok. I’m rich in life.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spending quality time with my kids, like really getting on the floor and playing with them. I know I do that a lot, but it just never seems like enough. Also, I wish I’d been at church more. I missed out a lot when Little Girl was first born.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Being angry or upset with anyone. It’s such a waste of time b/c it never gets you anywhere.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Busy like madness. See previous post.
21. Did you fall in love in 2006?
I’m already in love, a deep deep pit that I’ll never get out of. No need for falling, I’m at the bottom of the Completely In Love barrell.
22. How many one-night stands?
Yuck. None.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office, Gilmore Girls, The Biggest Loser (OMGOODNESS Did you see Eric!?!?! NUTS I TELL YOU NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hating people is a waste of time.
25. What was the best book you read?
The Red Tent or Emma’s Journal.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Josh Turner, Kirk Franklin, re-discovering Dixie Chicks…
27. What did you want and get?
A new vehicle, a better house, food on my table, great Christmas gifts.
28. What did you want and not get?
A new TV, clothing in large quantities.
29. What was your favorite film this year?
Cars is the only one I can think of.
30. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
We all went to our friends place for pizza and to watch the Oiler’s game. I turned 23.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A deeper closer relationship with God, always expanding and learning new things. I don’t do that enough, and I know that’s the only thing that can make me truly satisfied.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Is this clean? smells. Yeah, looks ok. This v-neck stretchy solid color T with a tank top underneath again? sigh. Ok.
32. What kept you sane?
Sane? Who. Me? NEVER.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Well, if we’re speaking on like a male-female terms? I don’t fancy any celebrity or public figure, unless you consider Dan to be a public figure. You could, he knows lots of people. LOL. Speaking just, who did I like to follow and see what they were up to? Meh, I mean, I pay attention to the headlines, and I get a little giggle every now and then, but there wasn’t anyone where I was saying to myself, I MUST KNOW WHAT (insert name here) IS DOING.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
All the gay marriage talk this year. I generally don’t pay too much attention to politics, only the really important stuff. This, for me, was one of them. And being a conservative Christian, I bet you can all guess what my position is! Although, I’m all for a civil union of some type. But I know that it just isn’t “the same” or whatever, but, yeah. That’s where I’m at.
36. Who did you miss?
Hmm, that’s a toughy. Sometimes I miss old friends…like the relationships that I had years ago that just can never be the same because we are both so different from where we were when we were really great friends. (that was a lot of W’s!)
37. Who was the best new person you met?
Wow, that’s a REAL toughy! I don’t know if I’ve “met” anyone new this year that has turned into a friendship or anything! Sorry, no answer!
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
I learned that we always need to be conscious of what we’re doing, and who we’re talking to and what we’re saying. I also learned the importance of doing what you say you are going to do. I learned how important your vows are, and how it’s great to repeat them, and remember them, and remind your spouse of them, and that you said them, and you still mean them. I learned that people aren’t always who we think they are, or who we want them to be. I learned that you can’t force anyone to do anything they don’t want to, or aren’t ready for. They either will, or they won’t. That’s the bottom line.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“Ain’t nothing like findin’ 20 dollars in the pocket of the britches that you wore last week… Ain’t nothing like watchin’ a bunch o’youngins run screamin’ through the sprinkler in their little barefeet… Ain’t nothin like knowin the Lord’s a’comin’ back someday to make you wanna do right.”
Important Christmas Questions. Really. Important. Stuff.
I found this at NewDotMom and I figured even though I’m a little late, I’ll fill it out anyways!
1. What is guaranteed to make you smile over the holidays?
Watching everyone open their presents that I/we picked out for them, especially my kids. And, probably the presents that other people got me! Also, laughing and joking with family members over some fun board games, or card games.
2. What makes you weepy during the holidays?
I’m not easily provoked to “weepy-ness” so if I were to get there, it would likely be over too long of quiet period of time in order to get thinking about lost loved ones and missing them especially at Christmas time, or remembering/missing old traditions that can no longer happen anymore – ie. Feast at Nana’s house, who’s now passed away.
3. How will you spend Christmas Eve and Day?
Busy Busy Busy!!! On the Eve of Christmas Eve (the 23rd, to spell it out for ya) we headed over to my Mom and Step Dad’s house for gift exchange and a non-turkey dinner. Then on Christmas Eve we had Church, and Dan’s Aunt has a turkey dinner at her place, and gives everyone a pair/pairs of socks! After dinner we head back to Dan’s folks place with all of his brothers and their wives to exchange gifts and have some YUMMY Christmas baking, thanks to Dan’s Mom. Christmas morning we opened gifts here at home with the kids, then headed over to my Dad and Step Mom’s house for a turkey lunch and ANOTHER gift exchange and some more card games and board games. Finally we made it back home and are now relaxing. But it doesn’t end today. Tomorrow is the Little Girl’s birthday, and we’ll be having lunch at Dan’s folks and having cake and MORE PRESENTS for her birthday in the evening. Sigh. We sure complicated things and made things extra busy with having her birthday on Boxing Day. Or, December 26th for all you American readers. Although, she was SUPPOSED to be born on December 18th!!!! I’m sure there’ll be more fun and turkey to be had on New Years Day as well……
4. What was your most memorable Christmas and why?
The truth is I have a very poor memory, and I don’t have a lot of specific Childhood memories. But I think my most memorable most recent Christmas was the year we got married. We were married Dec. 21 and we swiftly headed off to Hinton/Jasper for our short but sweet honeymoon. We were so incredibly broke, as our marriage story is another blog to tell, and we spent most of our $$ that people had given us in cards and what not on Christmas presents for each other and our loved ones. Tip: The Wal-Mart in Hinton is the BEST at Christmas time!! It’s like a slightly busy day at an average town’s Wal-Mart…nothing compared to the 24hr INSANITY that is our city’s Wal-Mart!!! So, for all your Wal-Mart shopping needs, take the time, and drive to Hinton. It’s totally worth it. Sort of.
5. Christmas form letters from friends — pro or con?
I really like recieving those letters from friends that are out of town, or friends that I don’t talk to very often. That way I can get a better idea of what they did all year, how their kids are changing, etc. If it’s a letter from someone you see a few times a month or more, then I think it’s just weird.
6. In your home is Christmas more of a religious or secular observance?
We keep the CHRIST in Christmas at our house. It’s actually been really nice this year, in our new house, because across the green spot from us is a house who in their backyard have a huge, and I mean HUGE Cross made from Christmas lights. So it’s been a great reminder everytime we leave the house. I’m actually going to miss it a little bit when it’s gone!! We still exchange gifts and celebrate similar to a lot of non-”religious” homes, with the absense of Santa. But I know even some Christian homes have Santa, I did growing up. I’m just not a big fan of the message and the distraction that is Santa.
7. What is your favorite Christmas Carol?
Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanuel, or Oh Little Town of Bethlehem. I LOVE singing Christmas Carols. LOVE TO SING.
8. What is your deepest prayer for the world this Christmas?
That as many people as possible find the TRUE meaning of Christmas, and put their faith in a real, loving God, who simply wants to have a real relationship with them.
How to get a sick little boy to eat his breakfast.
- Ok, here’s your breakfast! Go ahead!
- Hey, let’s have a race, and see who can eat their Cheerios the fastest!
- You know, Son, I know your throat hurts, and you don’t feel great. But it’s really important that you eat your breakfast that way you can get better faster and grow up and be really strong like Daddy.
- ….If you eat all your breakfast you can have a Superman popsicle. “I’m done, Mama!”
Hey Blog, Get Out of My Head!!
The time right now? 7:46am. Although, I’ve been up already for an hour. The reason I say this? Because I am NEVER up before oh, say, at LEAST 8:30. Never. Seriously. Little Girl woke up (again) this morning at 6:45am for what is becoming a morning bottle ritual. Which is fine, I usually just fall right back asleep after she does. When I laid down to fall asleep, there were two things keeping me awake. Dan getting ready to leave for work, and THIS BLOG. I just made it yesterday, and I saw last night that already 20 people had stopped by. TWENTY. Where are they coming from?!?! And my mind kept saying “But those poor souls, they come to visit, and I give them nothing. NOTHING! Nothing to read besides this Hey World automatic message that WordPress gives you.” And I just couldn’t deal with that. My fingers are longing to type, to tell, to share, to laugh.
The Boy has a bad bad cold right now. Pretty much didn’t get up off the couch yesterday. His voice is hoarse, and when he told me something yesterday, I told him he sounded like a monster. I’m not sure if the look on his face was just mere confusion, trying to figure out how him, a boy of 3.4 years, could get a monster voice, or sheer fear, that maybe in some weird twist of fate this cold was turning him into a monster, slowly but surely. After that he took to simply shaking and nodding his head. I’ve barely heard him speak since. I’m feeling awful sorry for him at the moment though. He just got over a major case of the flu which left him 5 pounds lighter and done with throwing up for the next 2.7 years. And now a brutal head cold! Poor kid. He doesn’t complain too much though. Just says he needs “rest on the couch”. I’m never sure when he says that now, because when he had the flu, that usually meant “I’m going to go barf on the couch. Again. And no, I’m not going to hit the bucket you gave me, but thanks for reminding me.” I knew that upholstery cleaner Dan had would come in really useful one day. Good thing our couches are all second hand, and free. It makes it that much less devastating when it becomes stained pink, why from too much “Pronger Juice”(Gatorade) of course. I’ve never heard the kid snore so loud as he did last night though. Could hear him loud and clear from our bed. I guess he was just really plugged up. Or he was having a REALLY good sleep. Hopefully the latter. I’m sure I’ll find out in the next few hours when he gets up!
On another note…yesterday was our fourth wedding anniversary. Fourth anniversary gift is Linen (silk) … or if you’re more “modern” then it’s appliances. Who buys an appliance for an anniversary present?????
“A new refridgerator?!? Oh, honey, you shouldn’t have! No, really, YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE!!”
I guess maybe if it were some fancy appliance that you wouldn’t normally buy… even still. I can’t say it would be my choice anniversary gift. Guess I’m just not that “modern”.
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