So I am here pouring out thoughts into cyberspace. I guess I need to set some things straight and put a few priorities into place. It’s not fair for me to keep signing up for all of these social networking sites and not keep up with any of them.  And it’s not right for me to keep this blog if it’s just a placeholder, right?? If I could just start somewhere with one thing and stick to it, then that would be great.

And that is what is on my mind.

Before my husband and I were married we had “The Kids” talk.  We talked about whether or not we wanted children, how many we wanted and how long we would wait before we had them.

Do we plan to have kids? Yes, absolutely.  Before marriage, our answers were different.  We were indifferent.  If we had a child we felt we would be happy and if we did not have a child then we would still be happy.

How many children do we want? Our plan is to just have one child.

How long will we wait?  Well we plan to wait about until our 3rd year of marriage. So we have some time.  Now, however, everytime we hear a story of a complicated pregnancy we want to push it back another year. LOL

This is a very important conversation to have with your significant other. If you are planning on getting married, then you should have this talk before marriage to ensure that you are on the same page.  You don’t want any surprises later.

Have any of you had the baby talk?  How did it go?

Photo via Better Smarter Kids

I always thought that I would marry a guy named James who was dark-skinned and tall with curly hair. LOL.  I need to laugh because my husband looks nothing like what I described to you – except the height.  He is very tall, his name is not James, he is not dark-skinned and he has no hair.

Did you imagine what your future husband would be like?

Photo Credit: Grovesmedia

Boppy Bare Naked Pillow @

Nursing Cream

Nursing Pads

Nursing Cover

Financial

• Pay off all debts excluding student loans - I feel really good about this one.  I already have a payment plan underway for one company.  I’ve got to get these other ones in order.
• Build a savings account  -  The hubs and I have some form of a savings but we need to do better with it.  So we will start with a small goal and go from there.
• Start working on online income - I’ve never attempted to make money online, but I figure it’s worth a try.

 Personal

• Modernize the house – by painting, de-cluttering, cleaning the carpet, putting up pictures, keeping the house cleaner, gutting the garage, put up a new mailbox, buy a holder for the water hose.  Long list I know I know, but I believe that we can get it done.
• Being  healthier -  by drinking less soda, eating less candy, exercising at least an hour a week
• Work on my time management -  My husband always talks about how I don’t plan effectively and I never have time to do things. I really need to work on this.

Blog

• To get 10, 000 hits next year - This is a big number, but I am actually halfway there. 
• Increase Subscribers by 25% – by email or RSS.

Superficial

• Paint my nails regularly (at least twice a month) – go for at least 2 mani/pedis. 
• Be more fashionable yet being smart about it - meaning that I will not be buying a whole bunch of clothes.  I plan to get into thrifting and using fashion inspiration calendars so I can use what I have.

Photo Credit: Photo is linked backed to original source

• I started a choir at my church.  The growth was minimal, but hey, we’re singing.
• The hubs and I bought a vintage pick-up that he absolutely loves.
• I finally learned how to make a pound cake.  In addition, I can make some mean grits.
• Within two weeks, the hubs was layed off his job and our computer was struck by lightning.  But God is so good that we were able to get a new computer that was deeply discounted and he was blessed with a new job six weeks later.
• Our microwave died a slow death and my parents blessed us with a new one (anniversary gift).
• Hubs and I went on 3 weekend getaways – all were equally needed, all were equally wonderful.
• I applied for 13 jobs within my company, called in for one interview, received no offers – I will keep believing for my new job.
• Invited to 10 Baby Showers, attended 5.
• Invited to 1 wedding, attended and it was so sweet.
• Straightened my hair out at the beginning of the year, cut it all off at the end of the year.
• Put on two anniversary parties (one with family, one with friends).
• Reconnected with an old friend. May our renewed friendship grow strong.
• I turned 30 this year and my hubby made sure that my birthday month was fabulous.

God has blessed me in so ways that I can’t even begin to tell it all.  As you reflect on your year, think about the things that God has done for you and give him thanks.

And that is my 2009 year in review – the good, the bad, the ugly.

I look forward to having breakfast with immediate family on Christmas day.  That’s when me and the hubs go my parent’s house and exchange gifts amongst my family.  Then after that we will visit my the hubby’s family. After visiting we will come home and enjoy a nice steak dinner with baked potato and salad. Yum!!!

I pray that each of you have a safe holiday and I will chat with you soon.

1. Give your husband a Christmas card – Find a nice card and instead of just signing it, write a thoughtful note on the inside.

2. Spend some quality time together on Christmas Day –  I know that this can be hard to do because the holidays are hectic.  You can sit and chat over a cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate alone – no kids, no parents, no one else.  You could make his favorite breakfast on Christmas morning.   If you can’t  do any of the above, then at least sneak away to another room for a few minutes to give him a great big hug and kiss then whisper “I love you” in his ear, or save one small gift to give to him at that moment.

3. It’s not too late to do the 12 Days of Christmas  - You still have some time left.  Your husband will love opening up presents everyday no matter how great or small.

4. Do a Christmas toast – Pull out those champagne flutes that you got for your wedding and toast to another great Christmas.  Actually this might be good for Christmas Eve.  I am not a drinker so for non-alcoholic beverages try Apple Fanta or any  Sparkling drink (Green Tea, Apple Cider, Grape Juice).

5. Make the most of your Christmas music – There are a few things that you could do with this one. You could  find your husband’s favorite Christmas song or something you like and dance to it.  It could be slow or fast depending on the tempo.  If you’re the silly type, try to lip sync or sing him a Christmas song if you’re a singer.

What romantic things are you doing for your husband during the Christmas holiday?

Rosette Tights @ Dimples & Dandelions  for $15

Satin Baby Booties @ Too Cute Baby Gifts, $17.26

Baby Girl Bib Bouquet @ Christy Creations, $2Barettes for the little girl at The Children’s Place, $2.45

Photo Credits: All photos have been linked back to the original source.