Spoiled

Don't you just love when a simple conversation gives you great insight?

Ashish's work schedule recently changed which leaves Jordan and I alone for dinner 3 nights a week. Ashley invited us to have dinner with her, Lorelei, and Madelyn because Adam's work schedule has him working late some nights also. Of course I said yes, I love a good dinner partner! Somehow we got on the subject of husbands. It started out as a general conversation, we love our husbands, blah, blah, blah. But then Ashley said something that will always stick in my mind. She said "you know, we are very spoiled by our husbands. Not only do they love us, they show us just how much they love us by the way that they value our families. Our husbands show up and are present for everything that involves us and our families."

Wow! I've always known it but it took for Ashley to say it for me to realize that we are very spoiled. In this day and age where divorce is so high, we have something that is good, something that is solid, and something that we treasure.

So, to my husband, thank you for spoiling me! Thank you for showing up and being present for everything that involves me and our family!

Resolutions

Don't change because a new year is coming up but change for your own personal growth no matter what resolutions you make, they start with you.-Unknown Author

It's the first day of January! I sound like a broken record but where did 2011 go? The 1st day of January not only signifies the beginning of a new year but it also signifies that my little guy is about to be a year older (his b-day is Feb. 5). Instead of making "resolutions," this year I am making "life style changes." Usually I would make resolutions in my head, I won't really share them with anyone. Maybe because I didn't want them to know that I failed at something. Or maybe because I never really intended to follow through. This year, instead of making personal life style changes, we are making changes as a family! I made a list of things that I wanted to change for myself, Ashish made a list for himself, and we made a list for our family. Looked a little something like this:

Danielle:

• Become healthier (last year I lost nearly 30 lbs, I want to lose about 20 more).
• Spend more time praying for myself (I am a good prayer warrior for others but when it comes to me, I kinda forget to pray about it.)
• Spend more time with my girlfriends.
• Loosen up! Wow, that wasn't as hard to type as I thought it would be.
• Join a women's bible study
• Become more supportive of Ashish's hobbies (he loves to play golf, I need to go with him more often)

Ashish

• Follow through on business ventures
• Continue to save for retirement
• Workout more

Family:

• Take advantage of vacation opportunities
• Pray together more
• Have more patience
• Spend more time with extended family
• Start having Sunday dinners again.

I believe that we will be successful because we aren't listing unrealistic goals. The good thing about this system is that Ashish can hold me accountable and vice versa!

Happy New Year!