What an interesting year 2011 turned out to be. Shall we check out some of the highlights and lowlights of this past year?

• The biggest that had the most impact: Popeye quitting his job in April and becoming unemployed (aside from the Naval Reserves) for 6 months.
• Going to Washington to visit Sara - obviously a HUGE high!
• Grand Duchess potty training! Glory hallelujia!
• My hat business has seriously taken off which I am ever grateful for!
• The making of new friends - always a wonderful thing (in 2 different cities, too!).
• Our move to Nebraska. While I was very sad to leave Wyoming, I am ever so excited for my new big house. (One of only a handful of perks of living here.)
• Adding 12 extra pounds to the scale. (NOT cool.)

On that note: I have a goal. Actually, I've decided new year resolutions aren't all that bad. I've made a few.

In the Spiritual Realm:
Have daily personal and family prayer and scripture study. I don't know why following this commandment is so hard for me, but it is. And I MUST do better at it. So I will. Luckily for me we're studying the Book of Mormon this year in Gospel Doctrine, so I can read and study along.

In the Financial Realm:
If Popeye deploys - save $1500 a month. If he doesn't - save $25 a month. On the piddly salary that we don't get to enjoy, $25 will be cutting it tight, but we need to build up our savings again.

In the Fitness Realm:
Be a size 6 or loose 8 by May (for family pictures). It's a doable goal that will make me work just a little harder. (Thank you Pinterest for all of the motivation.) Also, I want to drive to Sidney and run in the Oktoberfest race with some of my girlies. So, by October I want to be able to run a 5k. And by the end of the year I want to have run 400 miles total. I have never enjoyed running, it hurts my knees and I get bored easily. But I downloaded some new running playlists from Rock My Run, used one this morning and pushed through. I think I can do this!

On my own Personal Realm:
Tell each of my children DAILY and RANDOMLY that I love them. I don't do that. I don't know why I don't do that, but I have a feeling that I will be able to better help my children make wise choices if they hear it and feel it and know it. The other goal I have set for myself is to not yell for a week straight. I've already failed miserably and tomorrow is a new day. But I must control my temper! If I succeed in not yelling for a whole week, I get a little reward, like some pretty nail polish, make up or monetary equivilent. (I DO need new running shoes...)

So there you go.
Today I RAN for 2 miles. I actually did it! Well, 2 miles broken up with a 60 second walk in between. But for me, this is a HUGE deal. I'm very proud of myself. I made a little calendar to tape to the wall in my office with the whole year on it. Each day I write the remaining mileage to meet my 400 mile goal on the appropriate day. Today's reads 398.
And the picture gracing my calendar? Not a scantily-clad woman with toned tummy and thighs, but this:

It cracks me up and reminds me that it's about living a healthier lifestyle, that my body WANTS to be healthy and if I look silly doing it, then who cares. I feel better and more focused afterward. (It also reminds me of that 'Friends' episode where Phoebe and Rachel go running and Phoebe runs like the girl in the bottom picture... Still makes me chuckle.)

Here's to a new healthier, happier and successful year! Goodbye 2011 and Welcome 2012!!!