Lost In the Prairies.....Found by God

Happy New Year!!!  I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve celebration.  I spent the evening at my in laws with 24 other people (including kids) eating and visiting.  It was hot and oily, partially because we ate Oliebollen.  I know what you are thinking:  What is Olliebollen?  It's a Dutch dish that is like an apple fritter.  They are extremely yummy.  The day after we all went out to the local Chinese Food Buffet and again visited and ate.  Luckily it's the new year and we have goals to work on those extra calories.

I know I posted my goals last week.  I have been following the Lean pretty closely.  I'm already behind on my Bible reading (surprise, surprise) and haven't started on the house yet.  I'm still cleaning from the holiday.  I have been busy though.

It being the New Year, I know many people are focusing on organizing their lives.  I too have been working on some personal organization and family organization.  I was privileged in obtaining Kayse Pratt's ebook, "Getting It Together", this week for free.  It is a step by step book on creating your family's organization binder.  She has included free printables at the end of the book for the reader's use.  I love how she has set up the book.  It's easy to follow and a quick read.  Her printables are cute and clear.  My favourite is her Monthly Meal Plan.  She has it set up just as I set up my draft one.  I always post a calendar style one on the fridge for everyone to see, but love having one available for shopping lists.  

In reading this book, I have been inspired to create my own family organization binder.  I had one previously when I followed Fly Lady.  But gave it up as it just seemed a nuisance.  I want to simplify my binder this time.  I want to keep track of my menu plans, calendars, inspiration, passwords, etc in one easy place.  However, I will not have a section for my cleaning as I have a cleaning list laminated on my wall by laptop.  

I am inspired by so many things from Pinterest.  I love pinning the crafts and recipes (most of which I will never do).  I, for some reason, have only used the cleaning and organization tips, which could explain why my new love is my steam mop.  My cleaning sheet I have is based on this pin from Simply {Kierste} .

I switched around the days that work for me and so far between the merging of the two have kept my house pretty clean and organized.  I think I can safely say that out of a 10, my house is regularly a 7 or 8.  Having a day to focus on a room or areas has kept my sanity and it takes only about an hour to do the job on the room.  

I am going to continue to work on my family organization binder.  If I create any of my own sheets I will gladly share them with you or if I find any other exceptional sheets on Pinterest I will be sure to guide you to them.  

It is here again: the New Year.  We all knew it was coming.  The signs were there.  Thanksgiving came and went.  We all turned our clocks back (with the exception of my Saskatchewan friends).  We put up Christmas decorations and some of us braved Boxing Day sales (Canada's version of Black Friday).  So, why am I shocked that 2011 is almost gone and 2012 is on its way?

A lot of things have happened this year.  We met autism and discovered its effect on our lives.  We made the decision to move to a province with better funding for children with special needs.  We slowly watched as Sam needed a patch to correct a lazy eye to full surgery to correct the issue.  We have struggled with depression and frustration.  New schools and old job.  Throw in 4 boughts of stomach flus in which the 2nd one took out our old washer and you have a fraction of what our 2011 looked like.

I am hopeful that 2012 will be better.  I am getting pumped at what the New Year will look like.  I have been inspired to look at Resolutions as changes I want to make.  Not the typical eat less, lose weight, etc.... resolutions, but actual habits.  Last year I participated in the 3 in 30 Challenge for the first few months.  I looked each month at a spiritual, emotional and physical habit to work on.  I will be doing the same this year.  I am going to choose a few habits and exercises that I want to accomplish this year.  I don't want to set myself up for failure.  I want to set myself up for success.  

Spiritually I will be working on reading the Bible chronologically, memorizing scripture and continuing participating with my Good Morning Girls Facebook group.  I also will be tackling at least one non fiction book each month.  I have promised myself that I will not buy any more books until I read the ones that I have already.  I have a lot so I may not be able to buy any books until 2013.  I feel these are some easy goals to complete.   I have been getting up at 6:30 am to do my devotion time (OK, so I make it up at least 3 times a week).  I also will be watching less tv during the day.  Most of what's on during the day is just ridiculous and time wasting so I can fill it with other things or if I need a break, I'll read some fluff.

Physically I am going to try to make getting active a regular routine in my life.  I am pretty sedentary (well as sedentary as a mom can be).  I live behind a park and a walk way and watch people walk by all the time.  It's time I get out and walk.  I can take advantage of the days where it is just Sammy and me,  put him in a stroller and walk for a while.  There's a bakery/coffee shop about a 20 minute walk from my house.  I'm sure that I can talk him into  going there.  On days where I can't get out I have a treadmill that sits alone in my basement, rarely used.  I need to start using it.  Over the last few days I have struggled in watching the kids watch TV or play their video games.  I remember when I was a kid and played outside all the time.  But then my family was outside a lot.  How can I force them to go out and play if I do not exhibit it myself?  I am hoping that by my getting out and about that the kids will be encouraged to do it as well.

As I have said before 2011 was draining.  In 2012 I want to focus on the positive.  Not in a false Pollyanna style but in a way that encourages those around me.  I want to be honest about my feelings.  When I am not doing well, I want to be able to tell people that and it be OK.  I don't want to wear a false smile and say "Great!"  Sometimes things aren't OK.  I think we need to be open with the people around us.  When we are struggling, we need to let them know.  People who read this blog know more about my struggles than people who I see at Church each week.  That's wrong and I am going to end it.  I cannot be emotionally healthy unless I am willing to be honest with not just myself, but with those around me.  Life is hard.  It's not easy and again, that's OK.  

As you may have noticed this year I was a little up and down with the blog.  I was wondering if I was even going to continue the blog or not.  This past week I have been really inspired and lead by God regarding the blog.  I have a tonne of ideas that I need to get on and posted.  I am not going to say that I will be blogging daily, but I will be blogging more than I have in the past few months.  I even am going to set some time each week to work on my blog.  I have someone coming in to do respite with the boys and I may use that time to blog or clean or just sit and drink coffee peacefully.

As you can see I am excited and hopeful for 2012.  I really feel like I may be seeing the light at the end of the valley of the deepest darkness.  What are your resolutions this year?  What are you going to be working on?  

Come join in the random fun.

The third year, however, was the year the tradition started that at least 4/8 of my husband's siblings would be at my in laws every New Years.  It became a large fun family gathering (except the year the deep fryer wouldn't keep the heat).   The kids play in the basement, while the adults talk, play games and watch the end of year hockey game which usually includes our favourite team, the Edmonton Oilers.  This always leads to some good rivalries.

This year we get to attend and I'm excited to see everyone and catch up.  I'm also excited to for the kids to see their Oma and Opa.  They adore their grandparents and I know it is highly reciprocated.  I also am looking forward to the Olliebollen as my husband has a rule that we can only eat it on New Years Eve (there have been times that I've cheated!).  

I'm looking forward to 2011 and all that it has in store for all of us.  I don't have resolutions for year, but I will be working on goals through the 3 in 30 project.  So January I will be working on:

I hope that everyone of you have a great New Year's Eve and spend it with the ones you love.  I would love to hear what you're resolutions are so that I can pray for you this year and encourage you each in what you would like to accomplish in the New Year. 

This past month I have felt God calling me into a closer relationship with him. I have studied His word in the past, but have never gone into a deeper relationship with Him. My fault, of course. I've been neglecting my prayer life.

I pray daily. But honestly, I have to admit that I actually sit down and really pray 3 times a week. Why? I've not prioritized God first in my life.

In the past, I've been in groups where I've studied on how not to be Martha, Parenting for Dummies and How to be a Good Wife. During these groups, I haven't felt moved. In fact, I have never felt comfortable enough to allow myself to open up to others.

This last week, I've taken advantage of an early riser and have benefited from it. Its been great to start the day with God and see its fruition throughout the day. I take back all the times I said I just couldn't get up at 5:30 am to pray.

My mother-in-law gave me a Devotional Day Planner which has not just a daily devotion, but a Guided Reading Plan of the Bible. I plan to stick to my daily reading schedule and this will be the year that I finish the whole Bible. I will not get stuck in Deuteronomy. In fact, I may even try to do homelitics for each day......like I said the key word is "try."

This coming year, I have, with a group of close friends, organized a bible study. I sense God in this decision and know He is guiding us in to closer relationships with each other and is placing people that will encourage each other to grow.

I have been inspired by Donnetta at My Quiet Corner, to do a word study on something in my walk that I need to work on. I have, and continue to, pray about this. I feel God calling me to do a study on submission. For all of those who know me, even though one of my vows was to obey, know its the one word I consistently struggle against.

I'm excited and scared of how God will work in my life this year. This is the beginning. This is the year God will do a good work in me. This is the year I will surrender to Him and His will in my life.