Happy 2013

We rang in the New Year with a small group of friends.  It was a nice evening and Jason and I both had a great time.  We have no big plans for today.  Mostly a lot of nothing, laying around, taking naps, hanging out together, loving on each other.  Tomorrow, we get back to reality.

Today I will lay some groundwork for the rest of the year.  Step on the scale, take some pictures, look at our finances and see where we stand.  I'm going to set a few goals for this month and then start moving forward.

So let's see. . .

HEALTH
Jason and I are going to continue with AdvoCare.  I'm so excited what we have been able to do with our weight loss since we started with AdvoCare at the beginning of August.  I'm starting a new 24 Day Challenge.  I was hoping to start it tomorrow but we won't get our product till tomorrow evening at the earliest.  This means that the earliest I can start my challenge will be Thursday.  That's OK though.  This will give me time to plan.  In 2012 I lost 31 lbs.  I am super excited about this and looking forward to what I can do with my weight loss in this year.

FINANCES
Jason and I have done well in 2012.  The Lord has blessed us significantly.  We were able to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads in 2012.  Our jobs continue to be. . .both we both are looking for more. I know that Jason would really like to do something different.  He likes the line of work that he is in but I would not say that he enjoys it.  Jason comes home tired and worn out.  Driving and hauling and shoveling can be hard on the body.  I know that if we put our heads down and start plowing forward, AdvoCare can be a good source of income for us.  Even if we just use the extra income for now to pay down our debt.  In 2012 we paid off $16,095.45 in debt.  That's amazing!!!  I am really excited about what we will be able to pay down with the extra income we are earning.  Our total debt including our house is $236,054.75.  I'm ready to start plugging away at this.

PERSONAL GROWTH/FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
I have started a 365 Bible plan.  I would like to stick with it and finish it out.  I would also like to get this play ground built in Haiti.  I would like to read more books.  I would like to lead a Women's Class/Bible Study type class at FUMC with 7 by Jen Hatmaker as the primary topic of conversation.  I would like to spend more time developing a healthy family lifestyle where we watch less tv and go outside more and cook together more and just learn how to be more active and interested in each other.  I would like for us to be more loving and supportive.  I think that out of everything discussed here, this is where we struggle the most. My own personal growth is the area of greatest concern for me.  I have quite a bit of work to do on myself so that I can in turn be a better teacher and role model for my children.  I feel like I have failed miserably in this area over the course of 2012.  Any improvement at all for 2013 would be a significant change from 2012.

Here's to the rest of the year and the endless possibilities that lay before me and my family!  We only have to look to God, our Heavenly Father and ask Him to show us the way.  Ask Him to show us His way, not our way.  Only God knows the plans he has in store for us in 2013.  I trust in Him to lead us down the path of righteousness and have faith that the path in front me is a path that I am able to follow with Him by my side.  I will keep my eyes forward on the Heavens always looking to God for guidance in each moment of the day. I shall not worry or stress for God will provide all that we need as we need it.