2011 goals

well, the big, bad Christmas blizzard of 2010 is here, and quite honestly i'm not impressed. there hasn't been a whole lot of snow to speak of... but the wind on the other hand... has been impressive.

we have nylon string that is tying the tree to the shutters... but still the winds knocked the tree sideways. see? impressive.

tonight i'm extremely thankful for a roof over my head, electricity that has stayed on, heat and my family safe at home.


now, for the plans of 2011...

i'm excited to start a Beth Moore Bible study with friends in the coming weeks. we're planning on going through "Breaking Free"

today i committed to reading through the Bible in the coming year. i will start on saturday and continue through december 31st, 2011. i'm using YouVersion. you can click on the widget on the side of my blog to take you to the reading plans. i will following the chronological reading plan. i'm going to need some major accountability (this means YOU, amanda and rachel). i tried to read through the Bible last year, but failed miserably after about 3 weeks. i'm hoping reading in the order of events happening will help.

i also bought a journal to keep track of the year's praises and prayer requests.

my goal is to spend more time in prayer in the coming year, and really trying to find God in the little things. sometimes i get so caught up in the heavy things in life that myself and friends are going though (work, life transitions, addiction, terminal illness) that i lose sight of God's daily provisions.

i really, really REALLY need to get back into shape. i had a pretty good wake up call back in june when i went for a physical. i hadn't been for a good blood workup in... well... ever. i was borderline diabetic, and my cholesterol was elevated. i went off all of my medications - birth control for acne, nexium for my "ulcer" as was the lexapro... after finding that i didn't have an ulcer but gallbladder issues i weaned myself off the lexapro (something i hope i NEVER have to do again... it was AWFUL!). i've lost about 15 pounds since seeing the doctor, and when i went for a re-check my numbers were all lower. definitely a praise! i do have a lot more work to do before i'm happy, though and this NEEDS to be the year. (again... my friends, i will need some major accountability). this poor dog loves to go for walks, and i need to start taking her at least a few times a week!


well, that's a start for now. i'm sure there will be more in the coming days as i reflect back on 2010 and look towards 2011. :)

Luke Augustine Muckle

i'd be remiss if i didn't post about MY NEW NEPHEW!

Due on Christmas day, little Luke Augustine made his grand entrance into the world at 8:55am on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010. How precious is he? i hate being so far away... i absolutely cannot wait to meet this little guy!!

Luke, just minutes old:

Daddy and his new son!

about 32 hours old here:


this picture is probably my favorite... Luke is a sleeping angel... momma is exhausted... gabe is SO excited (he has been with this entire 9 months) and john... well, john STILL isn't sure about his baby brother...

welcome to the Muckle family, Luke. you are SO loved already! i can't wait to see what God has in store for your life!!!

Social Network Christmas

12.14

my favorite candle topper and yankee candle scent!

12.13

i had an adorable subject for today's dpp! tonight i made dinner for kathryn, becca, morgan and myself at the caltons!

morgan is getting SO big, and talking a ton! i think she's the first 15 month old that i can understand EVERY word that comes out of her mouth. she's a cutie and it was a ton of fun spending some time with her!







and a bonus video:

12.12

the adorable emily... saying "cheeeeseburgers and french fries with ketchup" when i was taking her picture. seriously, one of the most adorable 5 years olds EVER.

12.11

i totally stink at the whole daily photo project. but tonight i had mackenzie take a few pictures of the choir for me so i could post them.

the sanctuary looks beautiful! we lit all of the candles tonight... and although we did have a near fire emergency, God protected us :)


my beloved choir:

12.7

i forgot my camera at home :( but i did manage to take a cell phone picture of SOME of my chorus kiddos. (after all, why would i expect ALL of my chorus kids to show up for a performance? that's just silly...)

12.5

the tree is lit! with the potential of going to Pennsylvania for Christmas this year, and then leaving for Michigan the day after, we're keeping the tree simple. we'll probably keep just lights on the tree this year, and put Christmas cards on the tree as we get them. not going to go all out like we normally do with the decorations.

EVERY year we decorate with white lights - inside and out. well, this year i decided to really shake things up. we have colored lights outside, AND on the tree this year. i. love. it.

i give you the 2010 Muckle Family Christmas Tree:

12.4

today was super busy. my doggy baby went to the groomer. she came back with TWO bows in her hair, and a fancy Christmas bandanna! she can't sit still long enough for a photo to catch all of the cuteness...i went to yetter tree farm for my tree again this year. once again, dave and jordan cook were working their Christmas tree magic! here's a shot of jordan working hard securing my tree to my car!
there's my tree! stay tuned for pictures of the tree decorated. this picture was taken before it was placed on my car, but i'm too lazy to re arrange the photos to be in chronological order :)

12.3

i PROMISE i did take a picture today. however, i left my camera in my car, so you will have to wait until tomorrow. :)

until then, have a listen to this song. when i was in choir practice wednesday night, we sang through this song for a good half hour or more. it's musically challenging, and the message is powerful. i think sometimes we (read: i) try to make Christianity something more complex than what it is.

the simplicity of these words struck me:

"...but in the name of Jesus, the chains of bondage fall, our prayers are heard and answered,when God's children call. There is power in the name of Jesus - there is hope, there is strength and victory to claim. There is healing in His holy presence - there is power in His name."

i just love it! it cuts off a little early.... but i hope you enjoy, too. :)

12.2

after a warm, rainy and windy day yesterday... today was beautiful. i tried to catch the gorgeous sunset. i wish i had a better camera.

12.1

well, with about 4.5 hours left, i took my first photo for the december photo project.

i was at prayer meeting at church, and as i was walking through the narthex (when i THOUGHT i was leaving) i saw that the lights were lit from all of the decorating we did in the sanctuary last night.

so, here is a poor quality, albeit first photo of december, 2010.

*note - this picture does the santuary NO justice. it looks absolutely stunning in person!