so 2009 is here before we knew it . . .

Okay, so the blogging on a regular basis didn't go so well in 2008. Doing better with that is one of my goals for 2009. So is losing five pounds. Don't know where some of those came from, but two of them appeared in the last two weeks of 2008. (Very unwelcomely, I might add.)

So, here are the goals I'm setting for the coming year:

1. Blog on a more regular basis (at least a couple of times a week).
2. Lose 5 pounds.
3. Get into an exercise routine. This will help with #2 and also help get me back into better shape. And, I always feel better when I do.
4. Dress more professionally for work. I don't do horribly with this now, but I need to bust out the iron more and get more wear out of those button-down shirts.
5. Find a new ministry to serve in at church. You can only be a sponge for so long before you can't soak up any more. And, both Brad and I have felt a bit of a restlessness about our involvement with the church.

Five goals. I should probably stop there, although if I thought about it, I could come up with all kinds of things that I need to work on. But, five is reasonable to accomplish.

School is back in session in a week, so all of these things that I'm able to do now (blog, exercise, iron) will be a little harder. We'll see how it goes. But, I keep telling myself that school is not an excuse, and these things will only get harder when we eventually have kids. Now is the time to forge these habits!

Happy 2009!

Happy November

Well, October flew by. It is hard to believe it is November already. It'll be 2009 before we know it. School is getting more demanding, and we've started leading a small group with church. Brad finished the shelves in the closets in the basements, so we had an organization-fest weekend. It felt so good to purge a ton, yes a TON of stuff.

I'm really asking God what it is I'm supposed to be doing with my life. I feel like something is missing, that there's something more that what I'm doing now. And, having that realization, it's hard for me to be patient for Him to reveal exactly what it is that I need to do or what change I need to make.

But, I'm very blessed. I have a FABULOUS husband, two cute puppies, a comfortable home, and a good job. I have family and friends who love and support me. I have a lot to be thankful for.

Brad got me a piano for my birthday. I have some pictures I'll try to post.

Dug the Pudgy Pug

So Dug is officially fat. We took Ebert and Dug to the vet yesterday, and Dug has been put on a doggy diet, complete with certain target number of calories and everything. I've already picked up his diet dog food, and we're transitioning him over to the low cal stuff. He doesn't seem to mind. It's all food to him. They told us he needs to shet 4+ pounds. That's a lot for a dog. And here we thought he was actually getting smaller. Not so much.

life goes on . . .

I had a sad moment today. I was listening to our wedding CD, with all of the music from our wedding and other songs we really like, and I was really enjoying listening to Pachelbel's Canon in D. I've really been missing my piano lately, and that was one of my favorite songs to play. Anyway, all of a sudden, I remembered that Aaron, Jen Ruth, and I and someone else I can't remember at the moment had played that song as a flute quartet. I really miss Aaron. It is still hard for me to believe that she's gone.

But life goes on. That's kind of been the theme of the month. Susan, my boss, has left MVP, so things are kind of crazy for me there. There's a lot going on, and hopefully I can post more about it later. All I can say is pray for me.

Brad has been battling some pretty bad allergies lately. He's even been home from work. That lets you know how serious it is. He never stays home sick.

Mom, Dad, Leah, and Micah came up for Labor Day. We had a great time, and Leah found her wedding dress. I really want to post pictures, but I don't want to run the risk of Micah seeing them. I'll see about posting the pictures of the dresses that didn't make the cut. She will be a beautiful bride. She looked stunning in all of the dresses she tried on.

More to come later.

Back to School

We just got back from spending a great weekend with Brad's parents. I actually played a little golf--only five holes. I'm still learning. I get nervous when people are behind us. Other than golf, we spent some time by the pool and watching Michael Phelps make Olympic history.

We got new phones while we were in Conway, too. These actually have cameras that you can hook up to the computer, and I can e-mail pictures now, too, so hopefully I'll get some photos posted soon.

Brad heads back to school tomorrow. He is just thrilled, let me tell ya! He has to take two accounting classes for work. I head back in a week. It will be interesting to see how the night classes go.

I'm going to try to convince Brad to take the puppies for a walk. We all could benefit!

Working Hard

So, now that the basement's done, and I'm between classes, I don't have a good excuse for not working out. So today, I'm going to try to start back into the routine of both eating healthy and exercising. We'll see how it goes.

I'm really glad for the weekend. This week went by in a blur. I worked over 42.5 hours, which may not seem like a lot, but it's a lot for me. My work week is supposed to be 37.5 hours.

We're really starting to pray hard for God's direction and guidance again. He always comes through when you ask, usually better than what you had in mind.

Okay-I've delayed the inevitable exercise long enough. When I'm done, maybe Brad will take me for a Starbucks date. And no, I'm not above bribing myself to get on the treadmill.

My Grown-Up Life

Leah and Micah came up tonight to spend the weekend with us. It's neat to enjoy a grown-up relationship with my sister. We had dinner - make-your-own burrito bowls and apple enchiladas. I need to post that recipe. Delicious, and totally easy.

I'm looking forward to enjoying this weekend. Brad and I just had our fourth anniversary on Thursday, although we celebrated by going to his softball doubleheader. But, that's life. We bought a pool table for the basement. I really need to get some pictures posted here.

Okay--it's late, and I'm rambling off on random tangents. I'll try to post again tomorrow when I'm more coherent.