A Brand New Year

There's just something about the start of a brand new year. Does is erase the bad things that happened last year? No. Can it take away your happy memories? Absolutely not! It's just a fresh new canvas, where anything can happen. Some things that will be within our control, and other won't be. A new year of activities, road trips, birthday celebrations and adventure.

I never have really liked the term, "New Year's Resolutions".  I guess because I remember always having to come up with ones at school when I was a kid and I never knew what to put, so I'd copy someone else, or make something up that I knew I wouldn't do.

I bought this new shirt from Kohl's that says, "Take Chances", and I decided to kind of make that my theme this year. I don't know exactly what that will entail yet. I'm not really a risk taker. I don't like to fail. I'm not going to jump from an airplane or anything like that. I feel like I'm going to let God take the lead on this one. I want Him to show me what he wants from me this year. And while technically listening to God's direction isn't really taking a chance, it does take a leap of faith.

I'm also getting ready to embark on a weight loss challenge. This time I doing a Biggest Loser type contest because I feel like I'll do better when I'm competing for something. (Taking a chance, ya know?) I seem to start over every year. I am what one would call a yo-yo dieter. I do well. I exercise. I take the weight off and then I start eating more and more and more, until I'm right back up to my starting weight...or like this time...have surpassed it.

Weight is a struggle for me and has been for many years now. My only saving grace is my height. It helps balance it out a little, but, after some research I've realized that I actually probably have a binge eating disorder. Like, I truly will eat embarrassing amounts of junk food. So many calories, each day. It's a true addiction to food. I joke about it, but truthfully it is a HUGE struggle. I have an awful sweet tooth, and I've always been picky. I don't like many fruits and veggies. This time around will  be even harder because 2 of my go to diet foods are on my can't eat list now due to diverticulosis. Nuts and popcorn. Let's just take a moment to mourn that loss. So this year, I will work to gain control over my addiction to food.

Another thing I am looking forward to is joining my church. This next Sunday I will become an official member. Through this year I look forward to new opportunities to serve at church.

I'd also like to get even more organized. We have a small space that just keeps filling up. I've already got a new donation pile started. Out with the old!

Lastly for things I'd like to accomplish is to read more. I think last year I read maybe 3 books. How sad it that!? I'm already over halfway through my first book, and hope to continue all year.

I've already got a couple of fun trips planned this year and I know there will be many more.

Then at the end of summer we'll hit a huge milestone. Daniel will start kindergarten. I got teary eyed thinking about it yesterday. I remember after he was born, I figured out he would start in 2017, which seemed so far off from 2011. Yet, here we are. I'm happy and sad. But, I've got 8  more months to embrace having a preschool aged child.

So here's to a new year and new opportunities!