A New Year, a new beginning!!

Okay so I have thought about starting a blog for a while now and really wasn't sure what  I would do with it. It keeps coming back to me in dreams, daily thoughts and people asking if we had one-randomly, so I have taken that as a sign from The big guy ;) to start one up and see what happens for me, our family and others!!

             This is what I have decided I will include in it: 

1) Crafting ideas (I wish I had every minute of every day available for these projects, but I dont, so I will impart my favorites with you!)

2) Couponing tips, shopping trips, successes, highs, lows, advice, knowledge, etc. This has become my new hobby and I am very passionate about nobody every paying full price again.

3) Funny kid stories, videos, moments, pictures etc.

4) Our adventures through school (Both Stephen and I are starting grad school this year, SCARY)

5) Our adventures of both being working parents, while in school and with 2 kids......written down, I realized just how overwhelming that sounds

6) Us leaving Nacogdoches and moving to wherever God takes us and all the joys of moving and starting over with kiddos

7) Everyday life adventures!!!

8) I also promise to NEVER use it to vent, slander or bash anyone/anything. Nobody wants to read negative posts, thoughts of another person.

So at the beginning of each new year, some of us decide to set New Year's resolutions and some of us realize that it is pointless, cause well, we won't keep them anyways, so whats the point?!!! I have decided this year, that I am going to set realistic goals for myself and our family and do the best I can to keep them for us. So here they are:

Mommy-lose the baby weight (from both kids :/) and just get into decent shape to be around a long time for the kids (no unrealistic expectations and no # being thrown into the equation). Read through the bible daily to have it completed within a years time, I have always wanted to do this and have never disciplined myself enough to do so. Last but not least, spend more time with my family and enjoy the little moments more!!

Daddy-to follow God's path as far as school is concerned (and of course in life in general, but his big focus this year is grad school) and excel at which ever school/city we end up at, all with an open mind and heart, knowing that God placed us there for a reason!

The kiddos-to take them on more outings, take more pictures for their baby books, help them to experience life-the good and the bad (what good is living if you live in a bubble?) and to keep them as healthy as possible to live a long and happy life!!

Now with all that being said, it is a new year and THANK GOD for that. Last year was our hardest yet in every aspect of the sense. It also had some amazing high's too!! I am very looking forward to 2012 and all that it holds for our family. The year has come that we will leave the place we have called home for the past 6 years, built our family, became a married couple and grew together and within ourselves. It will be very bittersweet and VERY sad to leave some of the most amazing memories, friends, places, church family, co-workers etc. in less than 8 months. I know that this is what we are meant to do and need to do to be able to provide for our children and give them the best possible life and that is what it's all about right?!!! God has a plan for us and it will be revealed to us in due time and I am very excited about his plan and how we are to glorify him through it.

I hope each of you have an awesome 2012, one of many blessings-highs and lows (we learn from each, but mostly from the lows, so I have learned lately).

Blessed,

Courtney *Mommy*