Happy New Year...to me!

On to the new...Thank God! 2008 was certainly a tough year for our family. We had some major work to do within our marriage (which has been accomplished PTL!), I was pregnant and sick until the end of summer-ended up with a C-section, my first-born turned two and my angelic baby changed into a full blown little person with a mind of her own, and with the Lord's prompting we sold our cute house and moved to "The Farm" with my in-laws! (By the way, farms are in the boonies, and I like to be as far away from the boonies as I can get!) Now, we are just sitting and waiting on the Lord to direct us about a new house- we are thinking we'll have to build as there are NO houses on the market that we are remotely interested in. Mostly OLD and need rennovating- "golden girl" houses, I call them! But, this is a year of more change; this fine wine is going to get better and better as I grow in the image of Jesus! I guess it takes some of us longer than others- but I will prevail. My name means "Crowned Victorious"-woo hoo! One of our major changes this year is to get on the Maker's Diet for good. We have been riding the fence, buying organic then eating out or baking chocolate chip cookies/brownies all the time- with spelt, of course! I don't want my children to think it's normal to eat junk. I want them to think it is normal to eat lots of fruits and veggies, little to no sugar, whole grains, lots of water, etc. Nutrition is my passion and this is the year I'm going to have to walk the complete walk. Same could be said for my relationship with Jesus- gotta quit riding the fence and dive in completely. It's become very necessary for my happiness, I am so unfulfilled when I'm not spending Q-time with Him, and I don't like who I am at all when I'm not shining for Him. Also this year, I am going to work on being better at relationships- the person who acts and not just thinks about others. That includes my immediate family, friends who I need to spend more time with, and building new relationships. As I get older I sure do appreciate the friends that I have, they are so rare and so special. Finally, I am going to be working on being focused about what I want out of this decade of my life-spiritual destiny, being passionate about my business (not sure which one), and becoming the best wife and mother I can be, etc. I don't just want to float through life, surviving instead of thriving. I have too much in me for that, it's getting ready to come out.

We had fun with our wonderful friends the Stephenson's last night. I wish I knew how many New Year's Eve's we have spent with them. Jacqueline and I stayed up late catching up and looking on Facebook. It's weird to see names from the past-creepy and fun at the same time! The children played Jenga with fun activities to do as they pulled each block out of the stack. They were surprisingly more skilled than I thought they'd be for 2-5 year olds. Mary Anna was very excited to be around older children, she's usually the top dog around Davis and Jackson. She watched in amazement as they ran and made noise and climbed around. Then of course, she had to immulate.

Funny things she's done this week:
We went to the mountains to see Clark's aunt & uncle. Mary Anna is shy and reserved when she is first around a new face. So Uncle Bill was asking her what she had for Christmas, and she was mumbling and turning her head. I reminded her of the mini-trampoline she got (the girl loves to jump!), and it was like the light bulb came on and she said, "I got a trampowine and I was poopin' all in dat bed!" Thanks for sharing Mary Anna. Ain't no shame in a toddlers game! She was referring to the day before when she had not worn a pull-up at nap-time. It had been hours that she had been in her room , so I went to check on her and the covers were pulled up to her eye-balls when I opened the door....you get the picture...

Talking on her "cell phone" - she called G, Daddy, and dat man who pank-ed the house (the painter) She was walking by while "talking" and I tickled her, she didn't even turn around but said, "Don't do dat, I'm on da phone"- Excuse me!

She said, "I told Davis not to put he's hands in he's mouth cuz he gets swobber on dem"...HA, good advice from the big sister who's been sucking her middle fingers since she was 3 mos. old...

She was showing Mrs. Ann Reynolds her nativity and telling her about all the characters. Ann said, "Who is Mary?" and Mary Anna thought about it, then said, not blessed Mary Mother of God but, "she's in the 'tivity...." (so matter-of-fact, y'all didn't know that?)

I asked her to let Georgia in from outside this morning, she loves to open the door and yell, "Georgie, you get in dis house right now!" But I didn't hear her hollering this morning, so I stuck my head around the corner and I see her running after Georgia way out in the backyard- no jacket, no shoes. Just jammies and socks. That girl has a mind of her own. I'm glad I checked! It only took 12 seconds for her to move that fast, and it was 30 degrees outside!

I thought I would melt down Tuesday- we had to change her clothes 4 times. She had a BAD potty training day, and I am so over scraping "fudge" out of cupcake panties, so I threw away 3 pairs this week! One day I know I will laugh about that...but not today...

I'm looking forward to watching my babies grow this year- that is so rewarding. They change so fast! I declare and decree that it WILL be an awesome year for Clark , Lauren, Mary Anna & Davis. I ask for and declare a supernatural hedge of protection over my whole family- our health and safety, I speak UNITY and LOVE and RIGHTEOUSNESS over our home/family, and I ask the Lord to reveal His mighty plans for us as a family....HAPPY NEW YEAR!