New Year Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions

Every year it's the same. We make resolutions or goals for the New Year. We reach some of our goals while we fail miserably at others. At least that's been my experience. My friend Angela over at Just a Work in Progress said it best when she said "  Everything we need to know to live our lives can be found in God's Word." This is so simple yet so profound to me! My spending time with Him and being in His Word -He will help me to be the best I can be in every area of my life! 
I won't have to worry about dieting, being more financially responsible, managing my time better...etc etc . One of my favorite songs describes dependance on God like this
I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that I'm supposed to be. I give up. I'm not strong enough. Hands of mercy won't you cover me. Lord right now I'm asking you to be Strong enough  For the both of us

(by Matthew West Copied from MetroLyrics.com)

The Bible says "I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)  As I draw close to Him-He will help me do what I need to do!

Won't you join me in 2012 in drawing close to Him and making this the best year ever!

New Years Resolutions for 2011

I hope everyone had a safe and happy New Years Eve. Since this is the first day of 2011 I'd like to share my resolutions with you. I am posting my goals on my blog to help hold myself more accountable.  Most of them are a continuation of the goals I made last year. My goals are divided into five areas. Thanks life as mom for sharing the wonderful goal form. 
Health
1. Exercise 3 times a week. I did really good at this till worked ended in May. I haven't been consistent since then. This year I am going to utilize the local high school track on the days I don't get to into town to go to the gym. 
2. Cut down or off sugar and caffeine.  Okay okay I hear people chuckeling because they think I can't do this. I've gone caffeine free before so I can do that again. As for the sugar it'll be a challenge but I wanna do it. Where there's a will there's a way and Thank God for yerba mate!
3. Limit my TV watching to an hour a day. I did this one last year when I was going to class. I will be starting class again on Jan 3. I can do it as long as I am in school. Also to help me resist the urge to turn on the television I've decided to join life as mom's book club and read one book a month. The booking it challenge starts January 10. You can find more infomation about it here.  
4. Expand my gluten free cooking. I've gotten more confident about cooking gluten free. My goal is to try to adapt more recipies to gluten free. Also to get my husband to go gluten free. It will make cooking much easier not mention less allergic reactions-hopefully! 
5. Draw nearer to God. I grew up in church and became a Christian when I was a teen unfortunately I've never felt so far away from God as I do now. I wanna get back to Him. The Bible says draw near to God and He will draw near to you. One way I am going to do this is to make sure I pray every day and seek him. I'm also going to spend time in His word. One way I am going to do this is by participating in the Read the Bible in 90 Day challenge.I will be posting periodically about the challenge. I'd love to have you join me in the challenge. If you like to join click the link here.http://www.momstoolbox.com/blog/ 

Well those are my resolutions/goals for 2011. What are your goals? I hope you join me in making 2011 the best year ever! 


 
 

Already?

A fellow blogger recently reminded me that the first decade in the new millennium was about to come to an close. Wow has that much time passed already ? It seems like yesterday that we were talking about 2000 and Y2K. It just reminded me how fleeting time is. It seems like the older I get the faster it goes. The Bible tells us to Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. We only get one life so make each moment count! 

Love 

New Year's Resolutions Update

New Year's Resolution Update

Well it's been about six weeks since New Years. I thought that I'd give everyone an update on how things are going.
Carol's Top 10 +1 for 2010

1. Drink Water. Have sodas and coffee only on special occasions. Tea is ok.
I've been really bad about drinking water. I've been drinking a lot of sonic route 44 cherry cokes. :( I know, I know, not good for me at all buit they are 99 cents till 11 am and I have a hard time saying no to a good deal-especially when it involves caffine!

2. Experiment with gluten free cooking. Use differeant flour and mixes till I find one I like. Also, see what some of my favorite recipies taste like as GF.

I have been cooking fore gluten free meals. However, we are on really strict budget right now and I haven't been able to try new flours. Hopefully that will change soon. :)

3. Read more-try new genres
I've been reading more books. I'm reading simple living books, books on how to go green and historical romances. 

4. Watch more classic movies. See why people call them classics. Try to finish watching every movie on AFI Top 100 movies of all times list. 
I haven't watched a lot of classic movies lately. I have a lot of things going on right now.

5. Exercise every day. It can be anything, Walking, yoga, pilates, resistance training, running, anything. Just Exercise! I haven't made my goal of exercising every day but I am exercising more-that's a step in the right direction.

6. Take more photos just for fun. Doing good on this one! :)

7. Organize my house. Start out small-one room at a time. Doing so so on this one. I have to get on the ball!

8. Stop feeling guilty for (fill in the blank). Just do it. I said so.

I'm mot doing good at all. I grew up being made to feel guilty for not doing things. I dont' know how to stop feeling guilty. Any suggestions? 

9. Learn how to sew. A Negative. Hopefully things will pick up since my mom is coming to vist and she can help me. 

10. Breathe, Baby, breathe. Everyone's doing the best they can to get through the day. Doing good on this one. I am stressing less.

11. Blog at least once a week. Check. I'm becoming a blogaholic-I think. :)

Carol's Top 10 +1 for 2010

Well here are my resolutions. I was going to do a top ten for 2010 but I couldn't just narrow down to just one. . I know better late than never. I will give you a periodic update on how things are going. Here's to 2010.

Carol's Top 10 +1 for 2010

1. Drink Water. Have sodas and coffee only on special occasions. Tea is ok.
2. Experiment with gluten free cooking. Use differeant flour and mixes till I find one I like. Also, see what some of my favorite recipies taste like as GF.
3. Read more-try new genres
4. Watch more classic movies. See why people call them classics. Try to finish watching every movie on AFI Top 100 movies of all times list.
5. Excercise every day. It can be anything,  Walking, yoga, pilates, resistance training, running, anything. Just Exercise!
6. Take more photos just for fun.
7. Organize my house. Start out small-one room at a time.
8. Stop feeling guilty for (fill in the blank). Just do it. I said so.
9. Learn how to sew. 
10. Breathe, Baby, breathe. Everyone's doing the best they can to get through the day.
11. Blog at least once a week.

A time to look back then go forward!

Here's my look back at 2009 and my look ahead to 2010. Happy New Year Everyone!

Completing and Remembering 2009

What was your biggest triumph in 2009? Deciding to take my health seriously
What was the smartest decision you made in 2009? going to the gym on a regular basis
What one word best sums up and describes your 2009 experiences? never a dull moment
What was the greatest lesson you learned in 2009? Be myself and don’t worry about what most others think.
What was the most loving service you performed in 2009? Helping distribute Angel Food and buying toys for needy children
What is your biggest piece of unfinished business in 2009? The house is still not unpacked and we've been here over a year!
What are you most happy about completing in 2009? The census job-it was a lot of fun but also a lot of travel!
Who were the three people that had the greatest impact on your life in
2009? Matthew (my hubby), my good friend Emily and my niece Kaylin.
What was the biggest risk you took in 2009? steping out of my comfort zone and doing things afarid.  Thankfully, God Provides! :)
What was the biggest surprise in 2009? being diagnosed with celiacs disease.
What important relationship improved the most in 2009? with my mom
What compliment would you liked to have received in 2009? something for being kind and caring.
What compliment would you liked to have given in 2009? umm not sure
What else do you need to do or say to be complete with 2009? Nothing, I think

Creating 2010

What would you like to be your biggest triumph in 2010? To become healthier
What advice would you like to give yourself in 2010? One day at a time, one moment at a
time. Don't be so hard on yourself.
What is the major effort you are planning to improve your financial results in
2010? Pay off debts
What would you be most happy about completing in 2010? Getting unpacked and organized
What major indulgence are you willing to experience in 2010? chocolate and wine
What would you most like to change about yourself in 2010? No more eating gluten unless it's accidental.
What are you looking forward to learning in 2010? How to serve the Lord whole heatedly and being less critical.
What do you think your biggest risk will be in 2010? trying to find a full time job but God only knows
What about your work, are you most committed to changing and improving in
2010? organization
What is one as yet undeveloped talent you are willing to explore in 2010? art and sewing
What brings you the most joy and how are you going to do or have more of
that in 2010? Helping others; do more random acts of kindness
Who or what, other than yourself, are you most committed to loving and
serving in 2008? Jesus Christ
What one word or phrase would you like to have as your theme in 2010? Serve the Lord with gladness!