New Years Resolutions ?!?

Well happy new year everyone!!! I guess I should think up some New Years resolutions before midnight tonight, so here goes:

5 New Year Resolutions I want to keep:

1. Pray more.
2. Go to church more.
3. More family time.
4. Read more books.
5. Getting some family portraits done!!!!


5 New Years Resolutions I don't intend to keep:

1. Go to the gym / excersize more.
2. Lose 20 lbs.
3. Less caffeine. (I honestly don't even plan on attempting this one)
4. Less facebook time..... (ha!)
5. More cleaning & cooking. (Facebook souffle for dinner tonight honey?)


So happy 2011 everyone!! Hope next year is a better one!

Why I LOVE our neighborhood.....

I love our little "country" feel neighborhood. I really do. I especially love it this time of year, with the other side of the street decking the outside of their houses with all of the Christmas lights! Our "tinsel town" neighborhood has become a drive by neighborhood for people to come with their families, just checking out all the lights. I love that! ..... Even though our side of the street isn't as elaborate with the Christmas lights, we still have that neighborly feel.

I love how in our neighborhood everyone waves and says hi when driving by, and people come outside to talk to each other on the weekends or weeknights. How our neighbors get together and have bonfires in their driveways or BBQs in the front yard. And of course, how can I forget the amazing 4th of July fireworks spectacular our neighborhood put on, that had the cops driving by telling us, "all done now!" LOL! It really, truly is the best neighborhood ever.

I love that next week one of my awesome neighbors Nada, (who is my Mom's age) asked me to come over so we could wrap gifts together and watch Christmas movies and she would help me keep the gifts hidden from my kids until Christmas.

I love that our entire neighborhood has been invited to a Christmas BBQ block party in the cul-de-sac, while waving to cars driving by looking at lights. I love that you can buy homemade peanut brittle and kettle corn from the people sitting outside wishing you a Merry Christmas.

I love The Johnson Family, a few houses down, who help remind us what the holiday is all about. They are an amazing example of a Christian family who strives to follow the word of God and they live their lives with so much love, integrity, and compassion for others. They have truly blessed our neighborhood and brought a lot of us closer by their examples. I can feel how much closer our neighborhood has become just by their presence.

I love that Michael's best friend lives just a few houses down and that his daughter and mine have known each other since birth and are still great friends.

I really am feeling the Christmas spirit this year and God's grace. Happy, happy birthday Jesus and thank you for so many blessings you have given me including this awesome neighborhood.