It was a busy year.  It was an eventful year.  I welcome the new year 2014, with open arms.   2013 was a year where what we knew was flipped upside-down.  We have loved.  We have lived.  We have learned.  We have lost.  We starred evil right in its scary face.  Some of 2013 was wonderful and I am grateful for that.  Some of it has been painful and I guess some of that I am grateful for too.  I truly believe that although I never welcome the painful moments, there is something we learn when we walk through those dark times.  I have to admit that I still don’t know what those lessons are and what I need to learn.  We have gained some wisdom through some of it—that I know.   I contend that there is a purpose and I have to accept that there really is a purpose for everything—-even when I don’t understand or see that purpose fully.  There have been lots of prayers and that will continue.  2013 wasn’t an easy year for us and we have to have faith that things will work themselves out.  God willing, they will.

Today was my first workout of the year.  I am training for my first half marathon in a long time.  I have my sights set on the La Jolla Half Marathon.  It is one of the prettiest courses here in San Diego.  I am also doing a sit-up and push-up challenge with my good friends.  Tonight I did my first thirty minutes on the treadmill, while watching my guilty pleasure, “Orange is the New Black” on Netflix.  Then, I followed it up with 10 girly push-ups and 30 full sit-ups.  My goal is to be able to do 100 sit-ups and 50 push-ups a night, without any trouble by the half marathon.  I am so out of shape, however, what I don’t have in strength and endurance, I have in passion to get my girlish figure back.

I also re-started eating vegan/vegetarian.  I feel so much better when I cut out processed foods and eat my fruits and vegetables.  I am terrible about eating breakfast and lunch.  That is one of my goals—to do a better job with having meals and snacks—not skipping meals.  My eating habits have gotten so bad over the past year and my waistline has really showed it. Bleh.  I want to make that change and I want to make it a lifestyle change, not just a diet.  My two best friends and I did 6 weeks of vegan/vegetarian lifestyle before we all went to Las Vegas (Which was a fantastic adventure that I wish I had blogged about!  It was so much fun!).  We all lost weight.  We all got in better shape.  Then, the holidays came and we all dropped the ball.  It’s awesome to have good friends with the same goal.  We’ve been supporting each other and that accountability has been so incredibly helpful.

Allie is so grown up these days! She turned 8 in November.  She has been on the local swim team since July and she’s becoming such a good little swimmer.  She had her first swim meet in November.  She did pretty well, considering it was her first meet.  She is THRIVING in school.  I don’t think it hurts that she is such a likeable little girl.  Every time I volunteer in her classroom, the teachers rave about what a good little girl she is.  It makes my heart melt.  SHE makes my heart melt.

I am ready for 2014.  I am ready for good things to come our way.  I chose a word for the year.  My word is PREVAIL.  It seems like there were many times in 2013 when we were hit with difficult times.  This year, however, is going to be drama-free.  I have to believe that we will prevail in 2014.

May 2014 bring beautiful things to you, too, Dear Readers.

What is your word or resolution for 2014?