new year thoughts and Christmas recap

I know it's been awhile since my last post, but we were away for Christmas and I am just now starting to feel the routine of normal life again.  We've also all been fighting sickness, so much of my "break" was spent lounging and resting (as much as possible with a 3-year-old and 9-month-old).  With that, I'm going to start my first post of 2011 with a list of highlights/events from Christmas and also some thoughts going into this new year.

Christmastime for our family included:

~five church services

~five days at my parents' house

~four Christmas celebrations

~three Christmas dinners (one being pizza)

~three presents for each of our daughters (because Jesus received three gifts)

~one wonderful afternoon/evening spent with some of my favorite Minnesota people

~one visit with two great high school friends

~many days to have my beloved husband around (something I missed throughout December)

~one morning spent singing and playing instruments at a nursing home

~many lovely memories of one of my favorite times of year

We really did enjoy a bit of a break from the busy December we had.  We spent a few days at my parents' house and then a few days at our house catching up on things, relaxing and trying to get well again (and still working on that last one).  

And now for the new year...I never have been much with making goals as a new year rolls around.  Sometimes I think about a few things I'd like to do or change about myself, but nothing really concrete.  I always enter the new year wanting to grow more in my faith and continue to be the wife and mom God wants me to be, so I guess that's my main "goal" for this year.  I pray that I would fall more in love with my Savior first and foremost and then continue to become more selfless in my relationship with my husband and more patient in my role as a mom.  I have so far to go, but am so thankful I am loved and accepted by God in my imperfect ways.

This year, our church is also being challenged to read through the entire Bible.  I would love to say that on December 31, 2011, I accomplished just that.  I have tried in years past to complete the whole Bible in a year, but usually get behind by the middle of the year and don't seem to catch up.  Please pray with me that I stick with my daily reading and that God would use his Word to teach me and show me Himself in new ways.

Happy 2011!