Halfway already?

I am amazed that it is already July.  Seems like the older I get, the faster time goes by.  I think it's because we are so busy, and we spend our lives like hamsters on a wheel... run, run, run but never getting anywhere. 

Anyway, I started 2012 hoping it'd be the best year ever and for the most part it has been a good year.  I thought it'd be a good idea to sit down and look at how I've progressed this year, considering that I still have a half of a year to go to dig in my heels and do better.

One thing I wanted to concentrate on was being a better person... a better Mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend... you get the point. I've never really been good at relationships... give me a book and I'm happy.  Characters in a book can't talk back and don't get mad at you.  I do think as I look over this year I'm doing some better.  My house is a little cleaner than at the beginning of the year and most days I'm more patient.  I'm a somewhat better listener, although I do still have a tendency to over react...

I also wanted to lose some weight and on this one I've actually gone backward and gained... but I have been walking and I got to go to Zumba tonight (yay!) so hopefully I can correct this and still reach this goal by 2013.  I want to be healthier and exercise more... at least 5 days a week.  My marathon running man has inspired me, but not enough to actually run.  However, I do know that exercise is a stress reliever and can be a good time for reflection... I just need to make it a priority.  It's easy to get caught up in all I need to do and my to do list and push exercise out of the way.  And with this hot weather... it's awfully easy to make excuses.  I am getting more rest, not stayin up all the night and getting up at a somewhat consistent time.  (I still am not a morning person... but I have been getting up and spending at least 15 minutes in God's Word and collecting my thoughts before I head out the door.  It's helped)

Other goals- I've not written in my blog or taken a pic every day... but I've come close.  I laugh every day... with Caleb around, it's kind of hard not to.  I am truly trying to make every minute count.  Tracking my 1000 gifts through the Joy Dare has helped me open my eyes to how blessed I am.  I've completed two Bible studies (goal is 4) and just got started on Kelly Minter's Nehemiah.  I've read 46 books (my goal is 75... more on those books later).  I'm trying to be more organized (Am currently reading I Used to Be So Organized to get some tips).

So, thus far, 2012 has been a good year.  I'm planning to do what I can to finish with a bang.  And most importantly, I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't... because no matter how I do, His grace is sufficient =)