What will make you proud in a year?

Hello Lovelies,

Here we are with a new beginning quickly approaching with the New Year, and I ask you...what will you do today that will make you proud in a year?  My bucket list of dreams and aspirations is overflowing and full of things that would help improve relations with God, family, friends, and community.  However, when I think of things that I could start today for myself that would make me proud of myself in a year, well, that's a little tougher.  Here are three that I came up with that are in no particular order...

1.  My health - I'm sure by now we are all familiar with the "Holiday Fluff" that is gathering round our tummies from all that baking and those delicious dinners.  I actually think that the fluff comes with the territory.  But once that New Year hits, many of us are looking into quick fix diets and skinny serums that will melt away the added pounds.  I know that I could be proud of myself if I made healthier eating and exercise habits.  I'm not talking about a diet per se, but a dedication to healthier choices such as daily exercise and an elimination of trashy snacking.  I'm sure after a year, the changes would speak for themselves.

2.  Follow through - If I set goals and actually made it a priority to achieve them, well I'm sure my happiness would improve threefold.  I have so many ideas and aspirations for myself.  If I committed to at least a few of them for a year, my quality of life would improve...plain and simple.  Who doesn't like things checked off their list?  

3.  Giving more - Without going into too much detail, because I believe what we give should be only for the recipient and God to know, I feel I could always do more.  I feel like if I went above and beyond what I even thought I was capable of then the blessings could be immeasurable.

So there you have it.  The question is now what will I do with these thoughts that I've shared with you?  Well, I feel that I have no other choice but to put them into practice and seal it with a pledge from #2 on my list.  What will you start today (or on New Year's Day) that will make you proud of yourself a year from now?

My Small Slice Of Christmas

Welcome readers to my little slice of Christmas.  I have only posted a few (bare bone) photos of my home that can be found in my house tour tab on the the bar above.  Since then I've added some furniture and little trinkets but it's no where near being done.  There is still a floor to be put down, and paint to be picked out.  I'm sure the room will change about a gagillion (yes that's a word) times before I utter the words "finished".

However, we all have to start somewhere, and although my home is not in start-up stage, it IS in transition.  Therefore, I bring you just a sample of my Christmas set-up.  I feel I owe you at least a glimpse.

My favorite ornament on our tree ;-)

I just had to add an ounce of seashells.

My home is coming together bit by bit, and I want to assure you that these are the first pics of many.  My ideas are endless, and I feel as if time is on my side.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I'm linked up at...

An American Tragedy...

Normally I would be posting my DIY pick of the week.  I can't bring myself to post about something that we could make with our hands, when our hearts are aching for the families of the lost children and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Instead what I will post is in tribute to the little Angels and brave souls.  This incident is one of the worst things I can remember.  I can't imagine being a parent to one of the little kids who lost their lives that day.  The thought keeps running through my mind, "What would I have done if that was me?"

All I can do, is let it be a learning lesson for me.  It should be a learning lesson for all of us.  Life is short and our time on Earth is limited.  I hug my kids tighter and tell them I love them over and over since the tragic day.  This incident has had such an impact on not only myself, but countless individuals around the U.S.  While shopping and working, I no longer look at small children as just cute little people, they now look like precious, fragile, little angels.  Their parents are being kinder and more patient with them.  They are holding their little ones' hands or cuddling them in their arms, as opposed to plopping them in the carts and giving them iPads to play with.  I see a shift in parents' affection towards their small ones, and it's sad that it took something so inhumane to open our eyes.  I can see God working through it, and changing hearts.  He is always close to us, and constantly reminds us of His love.

God took his little ones home instantly.  It brings comfort to me knowing that they are with our Father.  They are safe now.  What hurts my heart is the loss that their families must feel.  My daily prayer is that God pours his love and protection on all of the families involved for the rest of their lives.  That He shows them that His plan (although we don't understand it) is perfect for each one of us, and that when we get to Heaven it will all make sense.  I can't wait for the day when evil is defeated and banished from our presence forever.  God is Good and Forever shall He Reign.