Saturday, January 14, 2012

Now It's Your Turn

I saw this 2011 Year End Recap on Amanda's Blog over at Baby Bangs and I thought it was a great idea...


So here is my year in a nutshell.. in case you're interested, or maybe you're not. But in any case...read below.




1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?


Ran a 5K.. on Thanksgiving Day, The Gruene Turkey Trot


2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


I really didn't make any resolutions last year... I was just focused on keeping my sanity!


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


My sister-in-law, Erin gave birth to a sweet baby boy, Logan. 


4. Did anyone close to you die?


My husband had two older men, that have been long, time friends and mentors pass away this year, unexpectedly. The best part is that he was able to share Jesus with them in the time close to their deaths.


5. What countries did you visit?


I didn't have the chance to travel internationally this year.. I did visit Minnesota and Ohio for the first time. Does that count?


6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?


Stability in our home... 2011 was a year of major transition and trust in God for each step and breath. Also, I am fervently praying for peace in a relationship that affects our home. 


7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?


February 4th.. We finally got to see our boys after a long separation. 


8. What was your biggest achievement for the year?


I would have to say that implementing running into my life was a BIG achievement for me... I'm not as fast as I'd like to be, but I'm farther along this year than I was last year!


9. What was your biggest failure?


Becoming disheartened and losing faith that God is still at work in our lives and the restoration of my mom's health.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?


None at all!  Thank you, Jesus!


11. What was the best thing you bought?


I bought a collage frame and framed the pictures from our trip to Ohio


12. Where did most of your money go?


We were very frugal this year.. We did take a few trips.


13. What did you get really excited about?


My Mom and Dad came for a visit and for Rock the Range in Denver... great two weeks!


14. What song will always remind you of 2011?


"Great I Am" by Jared Anderson


15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
-Happier or sadder?


Happier!


-Thinner or fatter?


My goal for 2012 is to find balance here. I was at different times thinner and fatter than I needed to be in 2011.


-Richer or poorer?


Not richer.. but that will change in 2012


16. What do you wish you'd done more of?


Kept in touch with friends.


17. What do you wish you'd done less of?


Worry.


18. How did you spend Christmas?


We had Dan's family here for Christmas and I really wanted to make some memories with them. It snowed on the 22nd.. about a foot and a half! The snow began the night before and we all took a long walk in the snow and went Christmas caroling to our neighbors. Since we are kind of spread out around here, the neighbors were so shocked that we'd walked in the snow. But it was beautiful and definitely one for the memory books. 


19. What was your favorite TV program?


Revenge.... Dan and I have both become quick fans and always try to watch together!


20. What were your favorite books of the year?


The Help by Kathryn Stockett


21. What was your favorite music this year?


New Life Worship, Adele, and Bruno Mars


22. What were your favorite films of the year?


The Help and Courageous


23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?


I turned 36 on August 20th.. My mom and dad were here and we just spent time together and went to dinner and a movie, The Help.


24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?


Less Worry and More Faith.


25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?


Hhhmmmmm.... somewhere between Anthroplogie meets Banana Republic meets thrift store chic??


26. What kept you sane?


Prayer


27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.


That although the road may be rocky right now.. God promised to never leave us, nor forsake us.  I learned that the hard times are sharpening me, making me wiser, and softening my heart for those that are struggling. I also learned that hard times don't just come to those who have sown bad seed.. they come those who will continue to trust in Him and will not give up. Always remember.. God is a Good God and the devil is bad (he is the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy)

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Checking In..

Well, it's been a good week. We are on day five of our fast and it's been good. We feel less weighted down (no pun intended) and are seeing God at work on our behalf. I'm not gonna lie, though.. I am missing the Coke Zero. Still reminding myself, I am in charge of my body, not the other way around!

I've done ok with fitness. Three short runs and lots and lots of physical labor. My husband and I cleaned out an old storage building on a farm and I think that they just threw every little piece of scrap metal and wood and even some appliances. Good lord.. I sorted, lifted, threw, and shoveled. I told my hardworking husband more than once.."I never thought I would be doing what we're doing today!" Poor guy...I know that he just wanted to be finished so that I would stop complaining!

I have been keeping a journal of my food and exercise and you would not believe the amount of calories that hard labor can burn! The Lose It app on my iPhone is a great resource.... it is amazing what accountability can do for your eating habits.

Alrighty friends... Hope you're all doing well with your goals and changes. I'd love to hear from  you on your progress!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Ready, Set, Lose

Habakkuk 2:2 gives us the best advice when it comes to achieving our goals...  
Then the LORD answered me and said, "Record the vision And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run.

I am working on my goals for this year, not be be mistaken for a resolution. I've made those, hundreds of times. Year after year... so this year, I know I have to take a different approach. Lifestyle changes...Long term changes

We are starting this year off by joining Jentezen Franklin's fast for the next 21 days. We are participating by doing a Daniel Fast. We are seeking God for direction and wisdom for this new year and know that fasting is a great tool that helps us to be more sensitive to His voice. The hardest thing for me to give up will be Coke Zero...pray for ME! Also, I'm really trying to remind myself that this fast is not about the food that I'm not eating, it's about training my body to remember that I am in charge of it, it is not in charge of me.  And believe me.. I was telling my body who is the boss of who all day. Especially when I was eating that RAW bar that I picked up at Starbucks. Seriously, I almost went back and told them that they overcharged me for the cardboard block that was mis-packaged as a snack!


My next goal is to really step into running and races. Dan and I ran our first 5k on Thanksgiving Day and we LOVED it!



I can't wait to get back into my routine and back to running on a regular basis... Dan and I are planning to run a few 5k's, 10k's and a half-marathon by the end of this year. I started walking and running on my road because it's 35 minutes to the nearest gym and I simply couldn't afford a membership plus gas. Now, I almost can't imagine going back to working out in a gym. Well, I could be persuaded if it offered fabulous spinning classes! I miss those!

I am looking for inspiration and health/running/eating tips and partners to keep me motivated .... so if you are on the same journey that I am on, email me, message me, or contact me on Facebook ( amydellinger) or Twitter (@AmyDellinger)!

Here are a few other bloggers who are inspiring me and keeping me laughing while they are on a similar journey -

SkinnyRunner - this chickadee seriously logs the miles, every stinkin' day! She's also hilarious and gorgeous!

MckMama - Jennifer is inspiring in so many ways. She makes her own yogurt...What the heck! She's also on a journey to find her fit self and I am cheering her on all of the way. I'm also taking notes on how she's moving forward in health and fitness. 

Big Mama - Melanie had me cracking up while reading her last post on grocery shopping while trying to eat healthier!

I've read so many FB and blog posts about becoming a healthier, better you.. I think so many of us are just tired of being tired and want to feel the best that we can. I live in such a rural area and don't have the option of a gym membership right now... so it's long distance friendships and training. I am commiting to eating healthier, counting calories, and exercising consistenly. Join me, won't you? Who knows, I might get brave and post before and after pictures someday!