We survived 2012!

Isn't it interesting how we survived 2012, despite the numerous proclamations here and there stating that the end of the world was upon us?  Just goes to show you that no man will know the day or the hour...

Randy went back to work this week, but I have to tell you... I love having my man home.  I mean, there's nothing better.  And, it's for pure selfish reasons, of course, but I have to say, he loves being home with us girls too.

While he was off, we (mostly he) remodeled the downstairs bathroom.  We replaced the pedestal sink (hated it because there was no room for even a soap dispenser!) and put in a sink cabinet (with drawers!  whoohoo!) and a sink with a counter top (love it!).  We also ripped out the cabinet over the toliet and put in a HUGE medicine cabinet over the new sink.

We also primed and repainted the bathroom to a more neutral color... tan.  I know, boring, right?  But the color before it was deep purple... NOT boring.  I was ready to be boring again.

Anyway, Randy was really impressed with the ease of assembly of the IKEA purchases.  The faucet especially... no weird contraptions or hoses that he's seen when he's purchased non-IKEA plumbing stuff.   The cabinets were a cinch to assemble as well... AND, it's not cheapy particle board, but real actual wood.  Who woulda thought?

Here's a few before and after pictures.

While Randy finished some outdoor projects, the girls and I were busy decluttering their bedrooms and closets.  Elisan threw out ONE FULL-SIZE GARBAGE BAG of  TRASH from her room.  She is a squirrel when it comes to her stuff.   Yesterday, we went through their toys and discarded quite a few Barbies without limbs and/or heads.  They swore they still played with the limb-less Barbies, but I forcefully demanded they be thrown out!   We also tossed out a few other toy items, but not nearly as much as I had hoped.  It's true... they do play with all of their toys and as long as they do, I can't get rid of it.  (Heck, I'm still glad my oldest plays with toys!  Sure beats spending fruitless hours texting friends all day!)

There was a lot more going on at our house the week after Christmas, but I'll spare you the boring details. Needless to say, I'm still loving having the girls home and will be sad when they go back to school on Monday. 

So, with a new year, I suppose you're expecting some sort of New Year's resolution or proclamation and honestly, I wish I could say I have a neat list of things I want to accomplish or resolve to do.  I want to do what everyone else wants to do, which is eat better, exercise more and be more intentional in my Bible reading/studying.  I want to do all of these things.  I want to be a good steward of my time, talents and treasure.  I want to be the best wife I know how to be and the best mom to my two precious girls.  I want to be the parent that each of them needs... which is vastly different and I pray that I can work towards that end.  These are things I know that will enrich my life and the life of those around me and I know that it's hard to do these things and do them well... continually.  But, all I can do is try... and pray when I fail.  Because at the end of the day, I'm just me... trying to be the best me I know how to be... a wife and mother.

Finally, in this new year, I'd like to set out to be a better friend.  Because I'm not on 'social media' I tend to not keep up with my 'friends' the way I used to.  And because of that, I have to be more intentional in reaching out.  This past year, I was bad about that.  I need to be a better friend, because let's face it... I need friends and I have a lot to offer as a friend.

So, that's it.  Welcome 2013!