resolved!

Here's my cute new year's banner! (stayed up till 1 am on Saturday making it!) Thanks to Meg for the idea--hers were better, but I'm still pleased with mine. I cut heavy silver cardstock into 6X6 inch squares. Used glue dots to affix glittery letters I found at Michaels. Punched holes at the top and threaded everything onto feathery yarn. All ready for our wild and crazy party tonight--sparkling cider, confetti poppers, and everyone falling asleep in front of the TV by 11:45 :)!
So what would a New Year's post be without a few resolutions? I spent a lot of time pondering what I wanted to improve about myself over the coming year, and had a good, honest conversation with myself in my journal last night. You get the very abbreviated version!:

1. SMILE MORE: I feel happy inside, I need to show it on the outside. My 'getting stuff done' face looks awfully grumpy, and I don't want my children remembering me like that. Plus, I always feel better when I smile!!!

2. SERVE MORE: My family, my friends, my neighbors, complete strangers--time to start following through on some of those good intentions. I'll even think about something I can do to serve all my blogging buddies, though most of you are awfully far away.....

3. REDUCE MEDIA: Now it's probably just because we've taken all of December off of school, but it seems that the TV, wii games, movies, and computer are getting a bit out of hand. I turn them off, kids turn them on. Even little James knows what buttons to push to turn everything ON! My kids are natural visual learners, but I'm not sure how much Shrek or Sonic and Mario at the Olympics teach them! I want to be able to hear the good music I'm playing, or just hear contented silence for a while. I'm busy devising some kind of ticket system to keep it down to two hours a day. Any advice on things you do in your house would be helpful.

4. LOSE THIS 10 POUNDS: that seems to have attached itself permanently to me. Don't know that it's fair to call it 'pregnancy weight' since I haven't been pregnant for a year and a half, but that's when it made its uncerimonious entrance and it hasn't gone home since. This one's tricky since I already work out faithfully five days a week for an hour or more. I guess I could up it to six days, either that or dessert has got to go (except Saturday ice cream man!--nobody's going to get rid of my Saturday ice cream!). I know there are some things I can do to make a difference, and I just need to do them --all the while being patient and kind--but still serious--with myself. And what would New Year's be without a weight loss goal, right? (I say as I go to prepare our pary fondue.....)

I wish you all a Happy New Year's eve, and may your year ahead be filled with blessings and plenty of pleasant surprises!