Tis the Season!!

2011 Reflections and 2012 Resolutions

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Happy New Year's Eve!!!

I definitely am working on making my goals year-round, but the new year is always a pivotal time to take inventory on how far we have come. When we were younger, and even up until a couple years ago, my mom would make us write our "vision statements" for the year in addition to spiritual, physical, and mental goals. It is a great thing to do no matter where you are in life....

Last year I shared Pumpkin's resolutions with you: 

"1. No bas (bottles) - so far he is only taking a couple at night with water only...2. No more night time feedings (we have cut down on the milk A LOT, now he doesn't fuss as much and his belly is a lot less bloated too...3. Sleeping in the big boy bed4. Potty training - even his teacher thinks that he is ready, time to whip out the pull ups!"

I am so excited for him because everything was done, well except for the complete potty training, but I am hoping that by his birthday we will be good...pray! It's amazing to look back and see how far he has developed in just one year - last year I talked about how he was starting to call me "mommy" all the time...awww That is definitely a great example of why I started my blog in the first place. I want to be able to go back and remember all the wonderful things about life right now.

This year Pumpkin's resolutions are: 

1. Finish potty training!
2. Start reading - if anyone has any good phonics type book recommendations please share!
3. Get on a soccer team
4. Learn karate in a real, controlled setting and not just on Power Rangers
5. Behavior improvement - Don't get me wrong, he is a great kid, but we just some fine-tuning when it comes to listening to his mommy and following directions in public...LOL

My resolutions are a work in progress but so far... 

1. Study the Word daily and join a ministry at church.
2. Make better food choices and exercise regularly.
3. Generate more medical school-help content and income from the blog.
4. KNOCK OUT my Boards. 

In my marriage I want to... (also a work in progress tho) 

1. Carve out a REGULAR date night in our schedules.
2. Go on a vacation together.  
3. Maybe read a marriage book(s) together...
4. Work on formulating our "get out of debt" plan together and set more financial goals.

Do you make resolutions/goals for the New Year? What are some of yours? 

Photo Credit: Pinterest

More.

Something in my spirit keeps telling me that I need to go to a new level.

I need to stretch.

I need to be more of an example.

I need to bear more fruit of the Spirit.

I need to continuously exercise my faith.

I need to be more kingdom and eternity-minded.

I need to actually get involved in my church.

I need to stop depending on my feelings and more on what God says.

I need to look outward to help others instead of always looking at how I can help myself.

I need to REALLY get into a habit of dwelling in the Word and not falling out of it.

I need more of You, Lord.

Things My Toddler Says

At Grammy's house

While opening Christmas presents sealed tight:
"Give it to my daddy, he's strong as Hulk!"

His new favorite question: "Because why? Tell me!!!"

"Mommy, you're my buddy/favorite."

To his cousin Meg, who is a teacher, while she was quizzing him on letter sounds: "That's what the teacher says..."

Me: "Nate you are so :insert: helpful/smart/polite!"
Nate (matter-of-factly): You're welcome.

Me: "Nate it's time to go"
Nate: "Two seconds. I'm almost done..."

Me: "Nate it's time for bed..."
Nate: "I not tired. I just woke up!"


Me: "Nate it's time for a bath..."
Nate: "I don't take a bath. I not dirty..."

"WOW! That's amazing!"

"I don't care!" - This needs to stop like tomorrow.

"Stop kidding me!"

Nate walks up to me one morning when I have on shorts, touches my leg and says, "Mommy big leg?". The next day I wore pants and he goes "Where's mommy big leg?" o_x

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas 2011

Some of my favorite photos from this Christmas: 

Christmas morning excitement 

Opening presents with Dad and Maimeo (Nate's mom)

My grandparents and some of the grandkids

"Thanks Lita!" 

His new bike that made him not want to open any other presents after 

My mom and her parents 

The hubs and I 

Mommy!

Yesssss!!!

I am done with finals and Christmas vacation thus far has been amazing!!! It was a rough semester but I feel accomplished because I didn't give up and I finished strong. 

I feel like a little kid because not only is school out for THREE WEEKS, I am so excited because I have gotten to see and spend time with the family and friends that med school has pulled me away from. We were a lot better this year about getting the tree up and decorating before finals. I'm extra late with the pics but here is our tree!

It still is crazy thinking about the fact that I am an adult with a family with her own Christmas tree. Ok, yes, I know get over it...it still blows my mind how much time flies and how much life can change in just a year...

My last two weeks will be filled with more family time and getting my organization life up in our home...I have closets I want to do, papers and clothes to sort through, budgeting, scheduling, etc. My to do list is long, but I know I can get it done in time for classes...

God is so good. He has really been showing out for our family this year and I see nothing but great things in store for 2012!

Irish baby blessings 

Merry Christmas from the Johnsons

 "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

- Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

Why is Med School So Isolating?

I am so thankful for the conclusion of the semester. 

Freshman Year Circa 2005 

One of the biggest reasons is that I get to reconnect with some of my closest friends. I know after college everyone moves on and has to start their own lives, but some MOST times I feel like medical school takes that way of life to an overly-isolating extreme. I am sure that it is the combination of home and demanding school life for me. I have hardly any time to talk on the phone without someone in the background calling my name or feeling like I need to be studying. Plus, I have very few weekends conducive to getting away for a quick BFF catch up session.




That is part of the reason why Christmas time is great because we go to Michigan which also happens to be where most of my friends from college are from and comes home to. It's like an ongoing reunion. The great thing about having awesome friends is that they totally understand that I have so many things pulling at me, but when we do get back together, it's like we pick up right where we left off.

B Girls Halloween 2005

Just looking at these pics made my day a little brighter. I miss my friends!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Maybe I am just extra basic but this has me ROLLIN...hahaha

Music Monday: Tis the Season

Music Friday?...Let the Holiday Festivities Begin!

The Biebs is doing thee absolute most in this Christmas song...but I have to admit it's kinda nice...

Music Monday: Tis the Season!

The Jam.

Wordless Wednesday: It's Coming.

Posts wil be scarce, but please don't forget my classmates and I in your prayers!

December 9th: Neuroanatomy
December 12th: Pathology
December 14th: Genetics
December 16th: ICM

Music Monday: Tis the Season!

I just discovered this new version of one of my favs (thanks Glee!). Below is the new and the old :-)