New Year's Resolutions from Baby Pancake!

We ended 2011 with the news we were expecting a little bundle of joy.

And we spent the better part of 2012 getting ready for him 

and now that Baby Pancakes is here...life couldn't be more sweeter.  

And we are looking forward to 2013 with a heart of expectancy and great expectations 

as to what God has in store for each of individually and collectively as a family.

I could do a year in review but I am not 

because just like every year there were some highs and lows. 

 Successes and failures.  Birth and death.  

But through it all...

I had my family, friends and God and that's the most wonderful part about this life.

Without question the best part of 2012 was 

my successful pregnancy and delivery of Baby Pancakes 

and watching him grow into the cutest & smartest baby ever born!! 

Team Pancakes feels blessed beyond measure 

and in the new year I hope to continue to become the best version of myself 

as a believer, woman, wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend & blogger.  

 I am not making any new year's resolution 

because I will most likely not keep them 

so I wanted to remind myself to live 2013 

from the perspective of my 4-month old son.  

1. Always wake up smiling 

2. Smile at someone you love everyday 

3. Give big hugs 

4. Give big wet kisses 

5. Do crunches just for fun 

6. Stand tall, fall down, stand up again 

7. Explore new things around you 

8. Play 

9. Laugh and smile in your sleep 

10. Do something you love everyday

I hope you join me in living 2013 like Baby Pancakes!!

Whatever you do for New Year's Eve...do it in love!!

And wherever the New Year finds you...

I hope it finds you in love, peace, harmony and laughter!

Via

Let's Clear the Air...

In speaking of making SMART goals yesterday..i wanted to clear the air on blogger.

Via

Before the new year, 2012, comes along, i thought it would be a positive thing to clear the air.

You know let out some air out of the things that bother us in the blogging world.

You know there are a few things that bother you in blogland.

And why would you want to carry those bad, negative and yucky feelings into the new year?

Don't you want to start off the new year fresh...

with new and happy thoughts and goodwill towards bloggers?

Don't you want to live your life with intention and purpose?

I know for me there are a few 

and so in order to become a better blogger and reader of blogs in 2012...

i wanted to clear the air.  

Here is what i want to let out:

1) If someone reads your blog daily, please comment on their blog at least once a month

2) If you are a fashion blogger, help me better understand how to put styles together 

(tnx B, udothis amazing!)

3) Don't hate on other bloggers (so not cool)

4) Check your spam on your comment page (i have been trying to comment for a while now and my comments never show up...that's annoying and wastes my time)

5) Someone please develop a comprehensive Blogger For Dummies book

 (i still haven't learned how to make a button)

6) If you are going to plaster your baby's pictures on the Internet...PLEASE protect your pictures!

7) If you are really annonymous...please DONOTCOMMENT and try to advertise on my blog...

they go to SPAM anyway!!!

That was it...  

Now i can take a deep breathe and let it ALL...just...go...

But honestly, blogging has been such a wonderful part of my life in 2011 

and i hope it continues to be for many more years to come! 

In blogland, i have found women who are like-minded: married, loving themselves, their spouses, valuing marriage and family, setting goals, reaching for them and making their dreams come true. 

In blogland, i have met strong women as part of my support group.

In blogland...i have truly found some parts of myself i lost when i stopped writing.  

And for this i am thankful!

In everything, there is the good and bad.  

And i will take it all in blogland with a smile.

Whew....glad i cleared the air.

What about you...

What bothers you in blogland?

What would you like to let out before 2012 rolls around?

because whether you like it or not...2012 is less than 48 hours away! 

p.:s Just a side note because i didn't want to get too personal 

but honestly this is an awesome activity to do for other areas of your life too. 

There are always some negative & yucky things we are carrying around 

and it is so healthy emotionally, physically and psychologically just. to. let. go.

So before 2012 comes along, 

close your eyes, 

clear your heart,

 let it go!

JUST LET IT GO!

& Let GOD if you believe!

Via

New Year & SMART Goals...

I have been enjoying the themes which the last two weeks have brought.
Since there are only 2 more days until 2012...  

I wanted to begin sharing thoughts and ideas about the New Year's 

res·o·lu·tion

 

[rez-uh-loo-shuhn]  

most of us know how to pronouce it BUT

 find it difficult to act upon and complete 

the ones we make starting the first of the year.  

I have probably made the same 

New Year's resolution for like ten years in a row.

Usually about losing weight, eating healthier, paying off debt, building a stronger relationship with God including reading the bible.  

This year i will not be making any resolutions at all instead i will be living my life everyday purposefully and with intention and in doing this i will be doing all the things i should be doing anyway including: eating right, being healthier including exercising, paying off debt and saving money and having a relationship with God.    

I also think it's important NOT only to have action steps, plans, 
resolutions, goals for yourself as an individual 

BUT for you and your spouse and family and children. 

 Making sure everyone in your home has goals/action steps 
helps them to live life purposely and with intention throughout the year.

Team Pancakes have already started 

discussing and planning our resolutions for next year. 

We are making them S.M.A.R.T goals: 

Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely.

Remember we can pronouce resolution 
BUT the most important aspect of it is to put it into action.  
We need to live purposeful and intentional 
while living our S.M.A.R.T goals.
I will be sharing my detailed S.M.A.R.T goals tomorrow! 
But in the meantime

Question of the Day

What (S.M.A.R.T) goals will you be making for your New Year's Resolution?

Let us NOT just make WISHES...let us MAKE it come true in 2012!