new year, new look

I'm working on a slightly new blog look/layout to start out the new year.
I was having some trouble with my right column moving down below my posts, which was just really bugging me. So I thought I'd try something different for awhile.
Also, my friend, Kristine, introduced me to Windows Live Writer, which is awesome for posting pictures. It makes it so much easier to insert pictures and I can enlarge them.
So I think this new layout will work well for that.

Does the dark background make it difficult to read the text?
I was getting tired of the white. But I don't want the colors to be too much. Know what I mean?

So please bear with me as I make some changes here and there. Feel free to leave feedback or make suggestions. I'm still new to the "artistic" side of blogging. But we'll see what I can do.

twenty ten

Wow!! Where has the past decade gone?

1999 New Year's Eve was the last New Year's Eve that Jeremy and I actually went out. We were just starting to date. Hard to believe that was just 10 years ago. Remeber the whole Y2K scare?

So what did we do during the last decade?

• we got married
• we had 2 kids
• we bought 2 houses
• we earned three degrees between us (a Master's for me; a Bachelor's and Master's for Jeremy)
• I started driving a mini van

We've been pretty busy!!

I can't even imagine how quickly the next ten years will go.

one last christmas recap

We have a tradition of celebrating Christmas with our friends (who happen to live across the street). This tradition goes back about 9 or 10 years. Since way before we were neighbors. And when we each just had 2 kids.

We have a gift exchange. And eat yummy food. And just hang out.

The Snuggie was a popular gift at our celebrations this year!!

I mean, who wouldn't want a blanket with sleeves?

a whirlwind trip to grandma's

We were supposed to travel to my grandma's in Springfield the day after Christmas. But because of all the snow, we had to cancel. (Remember, we went sledding instead).

Then on Sunday, after church, as I was talking to my mom on the phone, my dad decided the roads were clear enough to go and they would be heading to Springfield as soon as they packed. Well I had a chicken in the crock pot. Jeremy and Allison were out shopping for an I Pod Touch. Bri was still at the late service at church.

I called Jeremy and asked him if he wanted to go. And being the normally unspontaneous people we are, we decided to go for it. I had the family packed and ready to go within an hour. The crock pot was conveniently moved to the fridge. Jeremy gassed up the car on his way back home. And we headed out!!

Here's our four generation picture.
Delaney took some time warming up to grandparents she doesn't see but a couple times a year. But she would point to grandma and grandpa when asked.

We always have a lot of fun with my dad's family! We got to see 2 of his sisters that live in Springfield and one of my cousins. His other sister was stuck in Oklahoma.

Sally, Liza, Jesus and Burton, we missed you!!!

a few resolutions

It's that time again. Time for resolutions. Time to improve ourselves in some way.

As I enter 2010, I decide to focus on three things: Mind, body and soul.

Mind: I want to read more. Wait, let me clarify. I want to read more for pleasure. Sure I currently read plenty of professional articles and books. I surf websites. But I don't read a whole lot for pleasure anymore. Well, I go in spells. I'll read several books at the beginning of the summer. Then I get sidetracked with tv shows and the computer. And life. But I want to make reading a priority. Possibly even start a book club with co-workers or something. Who knows.

Body: I do NOT want to diet in 2010. I HATE dieting. I want to eat what I want to eat. I don't want to feel guilty about having another cookie. Or eating a piece of pizza. Or french fries. I don't want to worry about the numbers on the scales.

But I do worry about the fat ripples in my thighs. And the muffin top that hangs over my jeans. So I've decided that I do want to exercise more. Which should be easy, because as of lately, I don't exercise AT ALL. So to exercise more, simply means, exercise some.
In the summer this is easy. I walk for about 45 minutes a day. But in the colder months, I have to get more creative. I have to do workout videos.
GAG!!
Which means I have to sweat.
DOUBLE GAG!!
I'll figure something out though. Maybe I'll even crack open the Wii Fit Plus that Santa left for us.

Soul: In 2010, I want to grow spiritually. I hope to cultivate my relationship with God. Instead of waiting until it's convenient to study my bible or pray, I want to value my relationship with Him. Not just make it a priority. Because as someone recently put it, our priorities change. But if you value something, you make sure and put it first.

And not only do I want to improve my relationship with God, I want to improve my relationship with my family members. Don't get me wrong. We get along great. Most of the time. But I want to spend more time with each of my kids (and my hubby) individually. To let them see and know that I value them as a person.
We may have to get out our calendars and make dates.
And I can already see some eye-rolling going on.
But someday, maybe my kids will appreciate this. I'll let you know how it goes.

Happy 2010!!