2011 Has Arrived!

Hannah opening Penbo from her "sickbed."

Hannah & Mr. Clark spend some time playing with Penbo.

My sweet girl with her birthday cake.

I dug my heels in but 2011 came anyway.  I'm normally so excited about New Year's but this time I wasn't.  Maybe it was because 2010 was a good year for my family.  Maybe it was because at least one member of the Clark family ends up sick over the new year holiday.  Or maybe, just maybe, it was because my baby girl turned 5 -FIVE- on the first day of 2011.  Really it was a combination of the three.  There was something sad about Hannah turning five - it means she's not a baby anymore!  She's growing up too fast!  She's learning & accomplishing so much and becoming so independent.  Turning five seemed to make it official...

January 1st was not a good day in the Clark household.  Hannah had a tummy virus and Sammy ran a fever all day.  (I told you...someone is always sick over the n.y. holiday!)  Then there was the rain.  We just sat around all day watching movies and napping.  After the kids woke up from their naps I gave them a nice warm bath they both had some "supper" (rice for Hannah & toast for Sam).  By the end of the evening Hannah was clearly feeling better so we lit the candles on her cake & sang 'Happy Birthday'.  She enjoyed two small pieces and I was thankful for that.  Plus, she opened her present from Mr. Clark and me.  Penbo the penguin which according to Hannah was "the most important and of course you wouldn't forget the most important!"  I think Penbo made the day a little better for her.

Today has been much better.  Everyone slept much better last night and both kids have fully recovered and are bouncing off the walls today.  I'm very thankful for short lived virus' and prayers from family & friends!

With all the sickness (mine + the kids) I had plenty of time to think of some goals for 2011....

1. Simplify our house.  I'm going to get rid of all the clutter that isn't being used around our house.  I'm starting with the toy boxes (donating unused toys to either local shelters or day cares), then I'm moving on the bookshelves, cabinets, etc.  You get the idea.  We don't need so much stuff!
2. Exercise 5 times a week.  Mr. Clark bought P90X for us and when we were working out consistently I did see results.  I want to take advantage of this program and work on getting healthy. 
3. Find a ministry that our family become involved with.  This is something that Bobby & I have been praying about so I'll let you know what the Lord leads us to.
4. Hannah will able to read by herself before summer and Samuel will learn all of his letters.  They're getting close so hopefully I'll be more inspired to keep at it if I've set it as a goal!

I think four is enough.

What are some of your goals for 2011?