I am happy to report that I am trucking right along on those new year’s resolutions and it’s only the end of January.
1. Last week I mailed my application and fee to Central Church to save my spot on the Ethiopia Short Term Mission Trip scheduled for June 7-17, 2012. The trip is being led again by the awesome, Kelly McGugan. My excitement is indescribable. It’s rumored that several friends and past team members will be participating again this year. Can’t wait to see Ethiopia through their eyes & work together on loving those kids. The only thing that would make it better is if Kelly’s wife, Heather, were making the trip. Experiencing Ethiopia with the McGoos is definitely on my bucket list.
Now I have to add fundraising to my resolution list. I’m thinking that I’ll need to raise about $3000. YIKES! So glad God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and that I can be confident that He will provide not just for me but the whole team 
SHAMELESS PLUG: Proceeds from my Etsy shop will go towards trip expenses so head on over and check it out. My Etsy. I’m currently not taking custom orders but if you inbox me, I may be persuaded to change my mind
2. The cafe curtains for the kitchen are finished. Can I get a HALLELUJAH? I am patting myself on the back because it really didn’t take much time once I got started. I’m forgetting the fact that I held on to the fabric for OVER 6 months before I summoned the courage to make that first cut. Maybe next time I’ll take a deep breathe and jump in sooner. I’m already dreaming about making curtains for the baby’s nursery-even though he’s really a big man now.
By the way, this is the cleanest my kitchen has been in awhile! It will probably never be this clean again but cafe curtains sure offer a great incentive.
3. The Bible is AWESOME! The Chronological BIBLE is even more awesome. I am so enjoying my daily reading. Typically I stay about 2 days behind but right now I am all caught up. Some crazy stuff happens in the Bible. I often find myself saying “SAY WHAT?” I think I irritate Joe with my nightly “hey Joe listen to this” comments while he is studying. Spending time in a commentary has helped me better understand some of the passages. It has also helped that Central Church (our Memphis church home) is reading chronologically as well and posting insights and observations to their Facebook page. YAY!
4. Working out is going well but could be better. I am running about 3 times a week. Good but could be better. I’ve failed to do my abs every day BUT have made a new resolution to fulfill my original resolution.
5. I’ve made several meals pinned from Pinterest with healthy taco salad from Whole Living being my favorite.
I also made this really cute bow holder for McLaine. I think I need to put a little flower or maybe some buttons in the corner to add some spice but overall it’s pretty cute & cheap to make. I have lots of spray paint, hooks and ribbon leftover and know 2 other little girls who need a treat
How are your resolutions coming along? Have you given up on any or added additional ones to your list? I forgot to add LEARN TO DRIVE A STICK to my list. It’s more difficult and a little more expensive to find an automatic in Ethiopia so it would be highly beneficial if I could learn before we return. So, I better get to it!!
Took the kiddos to the dentist for the very first time today and shot a couple of photos that I can’t help but share:
Two blogs in a month. HOLLA!!
Love this post! You are doing so great! You are motivating me!
I so want to copy your ribbon holder idea to use for earrings and necklaces for Darby!!!! 
Also, it looks like you will arrive in Ethiopia the day Britta is set to leave!
1. Yay!!
2. They look great!!
3. I am on my 5th read-through, and the 2nd reading chronologically. I’m getting “Aha!” moments all the time, though I have to admit those usually don’t occur during 2 or 3 chapters of lists of names.
I’ve gotten a week behind and am playing catch-up. I actually started this read through back in September.
4. I overslept this morning and so didn’t get my gym bag packed, and so won’t be running tonight. I guess I will have to tomorrow. I’ve been pretty good about getting 1 or 2 runs a week in this year. But core? Not so much. :-/
5. That taco salad is still the bomb! I can’t wait until lunch so I can eat some more! James loves it too. And yeah, I am loving Pinterest for finding recipes, too.
I didn’t make any resolutions…because I have a proven track record for not keeping them. LOL
The kitchen looks great with those curtains! Fabulous fabric choice!!
Mac is looking so cute with that short hair cut. I can’t wait to see those kiddos.
Love the barrette holder especially with the hooks underneath. I need to make one of those.
Petra-check this out for earring and necklaces. I plan to make one of these soon. Love the chicken wire just have to find some hooks to hang my necklaces from. Maybe then I will actually wear them
http://pinterest.com/pin/80009330849774021/
Martha-the list of names has given me some good ones to add to Petra’s list. Some of my current favs: Ulla, Pispah, Muppim, Tappuah and Gog. HAHAHA! As I try new recipes, I’ll send any more good ones your way.
Kara- the hooks are called cup hooks and I found them at Target but you could get them at any hardware store. The tutorial said you might have to drill pilot holes but Joe was able to just screw them in. It is such an easy, cheap project and has certainly helped organize us.
haha!! That’s it! You’ve named our baby: Muppim Gog Carden! She might get called “muppet” by her peers, but that’s a price I’m willing to pay. haha!!!!
I have seen the chicken wire idea, and I like that too. I think those hooks would be great for Darby’s more chunky and childlike necklaces, though – and I thought thick ribbons might work for pinning all her small earrings to. I don’t know though – maybe ribbons AND chicken wire! She needs something that doesn’t involve her using half my jewelry box and that’s also fun enough that she’ll want to put them back where they belong!