And here we are...2012!

I'm a blogging loser. Not going to lie, it's really so far down on my list of things to do that I just no longer do it. Not because I don't enjoy the people, but most of you are on my facebook, which means I still get to catch up with you!

Since it's a new year, like most people, I have a few goals I have set for myself this year. I really want to slow down in life and enjoy the small, quiet things and by that I mean, a hike in the woods with my family versus a theme park...that kind of slow down.

Naturally, I'd like to shed the extra weight I put on by sitting behind a desk 8 hours a day versus movin' and shakin' my way around the city. I only really have time to run a few times a week and even struggle to fit that in. So now that I've been back in the work force for almost year now, it's time for me to figure it out.

I also have a great desire to learn to grow a garden and learn to can this year.

I have spoken about my desire to prepare my family in the event of an economic collapse or other economic obstacle, which I now believe to be coming down the pipe quickly and I need to organize my supplies. I have a bunch of items for emergency kits/bags and what not and now need to step up my game. I'd like to have all my Tier 1 items taken care during the first part of the year and I will then move on to the Tier 2 items.

Also, I have gone a stray from reading my bible on a regular basis and feel a real desire to know exactly where God wants me to stand at this moment in time. After sampling some Georgia churches last year, we have found one that we love. In fact, I don't recall ever loving going to church this much and I'm really excited to see what God is going to do with my family this year.

Another item on my 'to accomplish' list is to make peace with my employment. It's been an emotional strain on me to continue to work and get it all done. I've had great difficulty with the office manager in the little environment that I work in that has caused me some serious gray hairs and lots of stress. The stress has been no good for anybody and I am making a decision to no longer allow my work atmosphere to effect me. I just recently had a full week off to reflect this and have re-entered the office with my happy new attitude...who knows, maybe it will change the attitude of the person that I struggle with because in the end, I am thankful to have this job.

I love the fall beauty of Georgia!
a few kid update:
G: He's been driving for 6 months now, he's gotten substantially taller and has gained much more weight, basically, he's growing into a man. He steals J's shirts, shorts and shoes. I can't believe how big he is. He spends most weekends golfing at the country club with all his golf friends that he met on the golf team last year. I'm told he has a really good game, usually only 1 or 2 over par. Golf try-outs are coming up the end of Jan.

C: Had a busy fall with football and is now in the down cycle of his sports. He is active as always and spends a lot of time playing. C will play anything with anyone. He loves shooting his BB Gun and feels a need to learn about survival skills. He's going to have to learn them on his own because my husband is not much of 'rough 'n it' kinda of guy. C is resourceful and sees the world very different than most people.

W: Giggly and happy and has recently discovered his love affair with legos. They are all over my house. He loves to cook and most especially bake. He is a Grams boy and really misses his Fla Grams. He still sleeps every night with his blue bear (many of you will remember him) and he always wakes up early.

& my little sweetie...awe...she's so sweet that I just can't stand it. I am totally amazed with her. She is so stinking smart, she knows her ABC's, can count forever, knows all her basic sight words in books and loves school. She goes happily every morning and her teachers adore her and then when I pick her up, she always comes running with a smile. She is a snuggle bug and gives kisses constantly followed by "I Love You's"....we've been out of diapers at night now for about a year and she LOVES to have her nails painted. She thinks G hung the moon and W is her constant playmate. She can direct you in the car to her school, home or Ms. Natalie's and she loves hanging out with me and my girlfriends on girls nights. She is very savvy with the iPhone and iPad and will lay in bed and read a few hours every night. She is my hero and I'm amazed at how far she has come.

We are taking 2012 by the horns and declaring it game on. It's time for internal change and growing together on a much deeper level as a family. We have a family vacation planned in July, which is more of a working vacation and I look forward to seeing the impact it will have on each of us. For anyone still actually checking in on this little blog, may God bring the best to each of you this upcoming year.