Happy New Year!

Happy 2014, friends! Another year has passed, lots of changes, both good and bad. But, that is life. No one wants to stagnate! I have refrained from making resolutions for many, many years, because I always felt like a failure when I couldn't complete them. Well, not anymore! I made changes in 2013 that I never thought were possible! Well, I say "I" made the changes, but I didn't do it alone. The BIGGEST difference in these lifestyle changes this time is this: this time I am asking God for help. And help He has! I pray that God will wake me up to get to exercise class or to go walking - Yeah, don't do that unless you are SERIOUS, because He will do it! I pray that God will decrease my cravings- Check! Ask for help in learning to change my tastes in food - Done! Ask for strength (physical and mental) to get through an exercise class without throwing up - Not a problem!

Before I start listing my resolutions, I want to say thank you to some special people who touched my life, especially during 2013.

1.  Dan, Sadie and Jon Carter - These guys have been great! Dan "allowed" me to stay home with the kids this summer, which gave me the much needed time to exercise, shop for healthy foods, and experiment. Sadie and Jon Carter - Well, they are the gym Nazis. "When are we going to the Wellness Center?" "Aren't you going to work-out today?" "You said we were going to the Wellness Center, now come on!" I definitely wouldn't be where I am without their support.
2. Victoria Derveloy. Waaaayyyy back at the beginning of this journey, she asked me to go to a Piyo class with her. I had never heard of such, nor dreamed of doing it. But I went, and I did it.  I didn't like Victoria very much during that first class, but I forgave her. And went back a few more times. This gave me the first boost of confidence that I had. I COULD do some of that stuff, with some modifications! 
3. Kelly Kenney - She too has been a great encourager throughout this. I just realized when our girls had their birthdays in December, that Kelly and I have been friends for almost 10 years. That's a lot of nursing homes, birthdays,  Chez Ami clothes, tween girls, and rowdy boys! We don't talk daily, or even weekly. But Kelly is one of those friends that I know I can count on in a time of need. She has proven that over and over. She is one of my "go-to" people about exercise. (We all KNOW that this stuff is new to me!). She has always been a cheerleader, and was one of the first people I told that I was considering this journey. And she has been an avid cheerleader every step of the way!
4. My "Sassy Seven Supper Club" girls! Wow! What can I say about you all! If you look at us, all in different stages in our life, with different hopes, dreams, and now jobs...We are an unlikely group. But I feel God has put us together for a reason! Y'all mean so much to me! God knew I needed a mentor, and he provided me with an entire group of them! Thank you all so much! I love you all, Sally Amos, Joannah Ballard, Victoria Derveloy, Teresa Gregory, Mitzi Nasce, and Krista Weems! FYI -I will still come to dinner, but my "order" will probably be a little altered, and quite possibly liquid/soft for a while!

There are many, many, many more people. These are just a few that have stood out in my mind recently, and that I am especially grateful for!

Now, on to the new. These are a few things I am looking forward to in 2014. Some are goals I want to achieve. Some are simple, piddling, trivial things that I want just because I've never been able to have them. (And some of these wants may continue into 2015...I am realistic!)

1. I want to read the Bible completely. I have taken the first steps, and started over on a You Version Bible reading already today.
2. I want to spend time daily studying God's word. I want to learn HOW to study the Bible, so that I may grow in the Lord!
3.  I want to be a better example of a Christian, especially to my family!
4. I want to learn some Bible verses. Now, I would love to memorize 1 a week for a year, but I am not "trusting" of my ability to do that. This is something I am going to have to work on/pray about!
5. I want to increase my health! I will "judge" my success with this in multiple ways - weight loss, cardiac endurance, blood pressure, cholesterol. Not JUST weight loss!
6. For some strange reason, I think I want to try to walk/run a 5K. Just to say I did it, once, for me.
7. I want a Northface jacket, some non-plus size jeans, and a Swatch. Yeah, I know. But I do want them! (I warned you some were trivial!)

I am sure I could go on and on...But I'll stop here. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and all of your support. I am so much more confident now that I know that you are all praying for me! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Oh - And guess what? I got a call from insurance, and IT IS OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL!!! THE SURGERY WAS APPROVED!
 HAPPY NEW YEAR!