Randomness

I wanted my new background to be different than most people's 'normal' valentines background. I was feeling kind of vintage-ey and soft and I thought this one was just the ticket. Hopefully you all enjoy it as much as I do. And I am SO HAPPY that they now have new fonts for your blog. STOKED!
Well, in all honesty, I am typing this pointless blog to avoid writing my talk on Sunday. We have lived here for 2 1/2 years and this will be my 4th time speaking in Sacrament meeting! I blame my father for teaching me to never say no when a member of the Bishopric asks you to do something.
On a side note, I have lost 3 lbs since the 1st of the year. Not much, but at least it is headed in the right direction. I have also lost 3/4 of an inch in both my waist and hips (1 1/2 all together). So my Physical resolution has been going great. I have worked out everyday for 3 weeks straight (excpet the 2 days we went to Reno for our anniversary ~ Happy 4 years to us! and what a great 2 days it was!). I feel great and have a lot more energy, which was the main goal.
I have also read my scriptures an average of 5 times a week. My goal has been 4, so I have been an overacheiver there. Lets face it, if you are going to overacheive somewhere, reading the scriptures is the place to do it!
FHE... we haven't had 'structured Family Home Evenings' but we have made sure to sit down together as a family to do something on Monday nights, wether it be to learn a new verse of I am a Child of God, or just play together in the kids room for 45 minutes, uninterrupted. So, I consider this a success. Hey, the family that plays together stays together...or something like that!
All in all, I feel like I have been doing really well with my resolutions. Almost one month down, 11 more to go. I hope your knees dont blister from all the praying you are doing for me!

And just because blog posts are much more fun when pictures are involved, here are a few of my cute kids!

Resolutions

I figured if I'm gonna actually be accountable for these this year, I had better write them down. Every year previous to this one I just say, in my mind, what I want to better myself at for that year. Never works. At least this way I won't be able to say, "I never had that resolution" or tweek the resolution halfway through the year to better fit my current situation. I have decided since this is only the first year that I am actually making REAL resolutions, I will start with one in each of the following categories (better to start small and work your way up I say!):
1. Spiritual
2. Family
3. Physical Health (who DOESN'T have one in this category EVERY year?)
So, in the spirit of not being a failure in any of the aforementioned categories, I decided to make it somewhat of an easy year this year. (laughing and mocking sounds are allowed here). I figure that if I fail at my first attempt at trying to make resolutions I would no longer want to try again, which would make it that much harder to ever be a better person, or maybe it is that I am just lazy. Take your pick. I personally choose option 1. :0)
Anyway...For me personal goals I have decided to (drum roll please!!)
1. Read my scriptures at least 4 times a week. Trust me, this is progress. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to read, but for some reason, whenever I am reading the scriptures, it turns into a snoozefest. So maybe before I read everytime, I will make sure to pray that I will be involved and interested in the message. Don't get me wrong, I feel the spirit when I read them, most of the time. I guess I just have to find time to dedicate my focus just on reading, and not try and do it while feeding a baby, or sitting and hearing "hot diggity dog" in the background. I digress.
2. I am hoping to have FHE everyweek. This one, though easy for so many of you, is not for our family. Lance is usually working and OT on Monday nights and is not home. For me, having a "family home evening" with just me and the kids is no different than what we do all day, everyday. Peyton and I learn primary songs, color pictures, learn Articles of Faith and stuff during the day (and Parker is still just a dud when it comes to these things). So taking time out during the evening to just do it again doesn't seem promising. I hope to overcome this feeling this year and like Nike says: Just Do It. Lance is getting Sunday/Mondays off in a couple weeks for good, so hopefully that helps in that category. (I should mention that I have already failed for the year since I forgot last night and did not hold a FHE, but I promise, from this week forward, FHE will be!!)
3. I tell myself every year, "I will lose X pounds this year." Ah ah ah. Not this year folks. Nope, I am not hoping to lose pounds (well lets face it, I really am), but am merely hoping to stick to my p90x program and allow myself to feel better and look better in the clothes that I now own. I don't hope (yes I do) to get into a smaller size or look like a waif, but it would be nice. So instead of setting myself up for failure, I decided to lower my ambitions. I want to stick to the program. I want to do something active everyday and feel good about myself when I am done. If I do this, the pounds are sure to come off all on their own, right?!? RIGHT?!? One can only hope.
So, here is to the hopes that I, Ashley Lively, will stick to and accomplish my goals set this year. This is of course, the first step. Now they are in print and I have something to be accountable for. Wish me luck!! (And a prayer or 2 won't hurt much either!)