Resolutions

I know that people are all over the map about New Year's Resolutions. I have some friends that never make them, and other people that are revved up every year at the fresh new start they get on January 1. I like making resolutions, however, please don't check out my track record on how well I keep them. I guess I am the eternal optimist, thinking that this year will be different. I like being able to work toward a goal, even if that goal gets a little tweaked throughout the year. My resolutions for 2012 (and how they're going at 3 weeks in), are the following:
1. Read through the Bible in a year. I have attempted this before without success but this year am making this a priority, I will finish! I am using Tabletalk devotional as a guide and so far am keeping up.
2. Read a daily bible story to my kids. I am using Stepping Stones for this which is a little over Sadie's head and definitely over Eli's, but it's a great book that we will enjoy as they get older, especially.
3. Learn 26 verses as a family. I am using a template from icanteachmychild.com that I printed into notecards with a verse for each letter of the alphabet. I am trying to put them all to song (thanks, Mandy for that idea!) which helps tremendously! Even for me. :)
4. Lose 5 pounds. I weigh about 10 pounds more right now than I did when we got married. It's easy to think it's not a big deal but if I gain 10 pounds every 7 years it will not be pretty when I'm 60.

I think that's enough for one year. I have 3 kids, I can't set the bar too high or there's no way I'll make it. That's my advice to Moms when they have baby #2 or 3...lower your expectations of yourself. Sometimes Steven asks me "what do you have to do today?" I hate that question. This morning, for example, I had changed 4 poopy diapers by 8:30.
Speaking of poop (I'm sorry it gets mentioned so much in my blogging, surely that will come to an end soon). Eli pooped in his diaper tonight and Steven was talking to him about going in the potty, and he said "Eli, why did you poop in your diaper?" Eli looked at him for a minute and said "Because I said so." I assume he hears my answer when the kids are asking me "why?" and thought that was the standard reply. It's hard to convey just how cute he is when he walks in our room in the morning and says "Wake up Mommy, it's mor-ingtime!" Carolyn was laying down with him yesterday afternoon and finally gave up on getting him to sleep. She said they could go back downstairs and he said "Grandma, that was a dood (good) nap!"
Sadie has been questioning a lot lately about spiritual things, leading to a lot of interesting and sweet conversations. Apparently she's been listening. She wanted to stay in the nursery at my parent's church the other night and had not been listening very well to me during dinner. I asked her "Sadie, why should I believe you will listen any better to the nursery workers than you've been listening to me?" She quickly replied "I've been saving my good energy for them." A few nights later I was again, encouraging her behavior to improve, and she tried to reassure me by saying "I was just getting my sin out." She's a mess.
David is now officially on the go. He is crawling and pulling up on anything he can reach. He's also chanting "Dadada" which is really cute. Not as cute as "Mamama" would be, but I'll take it.

I remembered my last resolution.... it is to ENJOY my children. I was thinking about this at work yesterday, that we just love our children so much. I love all kids, always have, but there is just something different about your own. Every parent knows this to be true. I was thinking that the Lord has obviously created us to be this way, this indescribable adoration we have of our offspring, however they became ours.... then the thought struck me that we are HIS children, so how much does He love us? What a humbling thought! I know my kids are nothing special in the grand scheme of things, but they are to me, just as we are to our Heavenly Father. Pretty cool, to love mine and be loved by Him. Hopefully I'll do a good job of it this year.