This time last year I was sitting, alone, in our house in Texas, counting down the 17 days until Josh came home from a yearlong deployment in Iraq. I was also, at this time, coming up with my new year's resolutions. It was easy to stay committed back then to working out, eating right, and being healthy since it was just me and I could eat Special K for dinner. These were my resolutions for 2010 (let's see how I did):
1) Most importantly, have the best year ever with my husband, who will be returning from a year-long deployment in Iraq in 3 weeks!
CHECK! We've had an amazing year...mostly because we've spent most of it uninterrupted from any training, field exercises or any other such Army nonsense. We've seen a sibling get married and bring another great friend to the family, moved from Texas to Georgia, welcomed another neice into the world, and had lots of relaxing, enjoyable weekends together.
2) Make the most of our time visiting family and our vacations!
CHECK! We haven't gotten to take many vacations together this year besides the occasional trip to Lynchburg. I have, however, had the amazing opportunity to take a trip to Twil-land with my dear sister-in-law, and that ranks the highest on my list of vacations this year, and one of my favorites of all time!
3) Continue to frequent the gym and add miles to my runs (and I'll have my workout buddy back!)
At this time, no check. I've slacked off the past few months and that's part of the reason I'm writing this blog now...to track my progress and keep myself accountable ;) I do love the gym we go to and will be spurred on by the new year - and the fact all my pants are a little snug - to get back to working out.
4) Try more healthy recipes so Josh and I can eat better at home---fewer trips to Chili's, Plucker's and Panda Express ;)
An epic fail. I've eaten more pizza, Chinese, cheesecake and M&M's than a person really should these past few months. We've traded our Texas hangouts for Georgia ones and it's not been a healthier switch. Additionally, I have little to zero motivation at the end of a long workday to make a fancy, healthy meal....shall have to come up with a solution to this in 2011. I'd eat cereal for dinner, but I don't think Joshua can get on board with that.
5) Try to find a job I enjoy...
OOOO...hmm. First let me say I am entirely grateful to have such a well-paying job, provided the Lord is with me and I work my booty off and make/exceed my monthly goals. I love the people I work with and I'll miss them when the time comes for us to relocate. However, sales is completely exhausting and the thing I am most looking forward to in the world is being able to stop working, stay home and take care of my hopefully growing family :)
All that said, I think only a few revisions need to be made for 2011's resolutions, and here's my new 5:
1) Trust the Lord will work out things in His timing
There's a few unknowns in the coming year, one we do know is that we will be moving to Ft. Campbell/Clarksville, Tennesee. When---who knows! After Joshua finishes Ranger school, but we aren't exactly sure when he'll get to go or finish. I'm hoping we'll be able to find a nice rental home. I'm also hoping, as I turn 27 on January 9, that this will be the year of a Joshua and Jamie baby, but I am reminding myself to not get anxious about this, and trust it will happen for us when it's supposed to.
2) Pay off credit cards!
Yep, evil credit cards need to go away in 2011 so I CAN stop working and have little to no debt to worry about.
3) Continue to frequent the gym and add miles to my runs (and I'll have my workout buddy back!)
Uh, yeah, this will be a repeat, except I should probably rephrase it to read "add MILE to my runs" to start off with ;) I also want to do more yoga and pilates---I've found those, with a combination of running and eating right, really works for me.
4) LESS PIZZA! LESS CANDY! MORE MUSCLE MILK!
As I bought two tubs of Muscle Milk light protein yesterday...I am determind to actually use it all, eat less crap, and more clean, wholesome foods. Not really excited about that though...borrrring. Also need to remember to take my vitamins!
5) Hang in there...you can DO it!
Knowing the end of my working days are hopefully within sight....it's hard to stay motivated, but the more I make, and the better I do, the better off we'll be when the time comes for us to move and if we are expecting (Lord willing!) I will pray the Lord allows me to do my best and to spend the next 6-7 months or so blowing it out of the water.
This has become a long post...I'm excited about what 2011 will bring - it's been a year we've been looking forward to for awhile and knowing Josh will be home for all of it is super exciting. I hope it brings good things for all of you!