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Pare Down and Look Up

Saturday, December 31, 2011

I have been reading on a lot of blogs and hearing on the radio people choosing one word for the new year...a word to guide them.  I tried really hard to think of one word.  I prayed about my word.  But you all know by now...I am wordy (see, I need to pare down).  These words above kept coming to me.  I could not get them out of my head. And it's true.  I do need to pare down. 

 Although one very kind reader asked the other day if I lost weight (thank you Debbie), the truth is that in 2011, I gained 10 pounds. I am a small person and I don't think it is too noticeable.  In fact, I was a little surprised at my check-up (we don't own a scale) but I am not happy at this weight/size.  I am not sure how that happened but likely when we let gluten back into the house.  I have been exercising a lot and I plan to pare back down to my normal weight by getting back to our old healthy eating habits.  But that is only the start.  I need to pare down everywhere. I need to de-clutter, pare down my spending (yes, you read that correctly, Dave), my activity and commitments, my overall stuff. I need to delete some of the 90 million photos on my computer. I need to simplify. I will be focusing my Lenten sacrifice on paring down again this year and I am so excited.  I almost cannot wait for Lent.

The other thing I need to do is Look Up...To God.  In 2010, I read the whole Bible.  In 2011, I did not read the Bible very much.  I noticed a BIG difference in who I was on a daily basis and I did not like it.  If I keep my eyes on God, I am so much more focused on what matters in life.  I am so much more grounded.  I am a kinder Kim.  I have a lot of work to do this year to get back on track.  I hope you'll join me as I work on these things.


I was going to pick one photo from each month of 2011 and do a retrospect but I could not 
"pare down" to just one so I am skipping that. I did find these though from New Years Day last year and I don't think I ever posted them. They are not very flattering photos of me and they are not completely in focus (which is probably why I never posted them) but I love the playfulness behind them. Harry or Will must have taken them for us and I am sure they hated us having a little smooch.

NYD11_7158

NYD11_7163

NYD11_7162

NYD11_7159

Looking at these photos..I realized that my hair is a lot shorter...maybe that 10 pounds is just my longer hair!?  Ha-wishful thinking!!!


Happy New Year to you all.  What are your goals for 2012?

27 comments:

  1. Kim:
    I'm right there with you!!! My word for the year is discipline. I agree that when I look to Him everything is better. So consider me by your side for 2012, I have a great feeling about this year :)
    Wishing all the peanuts a Happy, Healthy New Year!
    xoxo
    Nancy

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  2. I would love to pare down too in STUFF and spending. We are really working on that this year. It's exciting the beginning of a new year, isn't it? xo!

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  3. Have a wonderful 2012..I like your hair shorter..you look cutesy!!

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  4. Has anyone ever told you that you two could pass for brother and sister? I am not kidding! Your tree is almost as beautiful as the beautiful couple that you are! I hear you on paring down, after this housebuild, that is definitely in my future:) Every little bit, just trim the excess....we can all do that!
    Wishing you a happy, joyous and healthy New Year!! Cheers to a fabulous and leaner 2012!

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  5. Kim....why have you not posted these pics before?? They are FANTASTIC! I think they sum up you and your husband so well. As for "paring down", I started to do this when we had no option but to do a big renovation project on our home a few months back....and I cant tell you how satisfying it is to live this way. Please let us know how it goes, I still havent finished, not by a long shot, but my mind is much more clearer and focused. A brill 2012 for you and your family. Dx

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  6. Declutter needs to be my word for the year!

    Love these cute playful photos of you two. Happy New Year.

    janet

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  7. My one word for my New Years Resolution is Faith. God never fails, His plan is always perfect! But for some reason I still struggle with letting Him take the reigns sometimes. I'm a planner, an organizer ( and a bit horrible with my OCD tendencies). I could lay my 1 year plan, 5 year plan, ten year plan all out at the drop of a hat. But sometimes God steps in and has a different plan than what I have and it throws a monkey wrench it to my carefully thought out future :-). I wish I could say I always listen and take that leap of Faith, but I fall short.
    But this year, that is my goal. To have a bit more Faith. To "Let go and Let God".
    BTW: I love those pictures of you two. So sweet! Happy New year! (and I'll be joining you on the paring down:)

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  8. Don't have too many resolutions....we've been so busy with selling the house that I haven't really thought too much about it.

    Just wanted to say Happy New Year, and I absolutely love these cute photos of you two!!!!

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  9. you are TOO cute!!
    oh goodness!!
    love these playful flirty shots :)

    i thought of you today when i picked up my new essie color. thought it sounded familiar...cocktail bling :)

    i love your words for 2012
    xoxo

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  10. Love the fun photos...Y'all are so photogenic..I wish I was! Happy New Year!

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  11. molly walked up to me while i was reading your post and said..."mama,is them kissing? that's cute, mama!". happy new year, kim!

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  12. Hi Kim - thanks for popping by the third. I too am changing the way I do a few things in 2012 - I finish full time work on Jan 24 and could not be happier ... its time. Plus the declutter is underway ... hard to achieve with the babes underfoot - they want to keep every little thing and I mean everything !! :) best le xox

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  13. Love this goal Kim! I have chosen a word and verse for the year - I do this every year and it so helpful to focus. My word is surrender and my verse is 1 Timothy 6 v 11. Happy New Year!

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  14. Ooooo Love!!!

    My favorite picture is the 3rd one!! LOOK at the way he loves you!!!

    You are so blessed!

    What a treat to see so much love and happiness on the first day of the New Year!

    xoxo
    Sibi

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  15. Heck Kim....I forgot to ask about that gorgeous ring you are wearing in the first "smoochy pic"! I just love it, wondering if it has a special meaning as its on your wedding finger? Is it an eternity ring?

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  16. Love the photos!! You look fabulous!!
    Happy New Year!! Sissy

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  17. Love these photos and Happy NEW Year! Just wondering if you could also give me your opinion and any one else? I am celebrating my 30year anniversary this year and my husband wants to buy me a piece of jewellery( I think diamond) WHERE would you look or what piece of jewellery do you think is fabulous?! Any suggestions would be appreciated

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  18. I have two words in mind and can't pick which one. Patience or humility. I am hoping it will become clear soon.

    Happy New Year Kim!

    lea
    xo

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  19. Love, love, love these pictures with your sweet house boy!

    I plan to pare down and embrace life too!

    Hope you have a Happy New Year!

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  20. God spoke the same words to me : Look Up! I blogged about it just last night:)

    The picture of you and Dave are super cute!

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  21. Hey Kim! Happy New Year!
    I thought about you the other day... I failed this year at my "reading thru the bible in a year" :( Maybe I can try again. It has been a rough year! Praying this year is better! Hope you're having a great one!
    Love & Hugs!
    Keisha

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  22. Hello again Kim! Thank you so much for praying with me concerning Lily's surgery and Looking Up...I will absolutely keep Harry and your family in my prayers as well. We can encourage one another to keep our eyes fixed upwards:)

    Wishing you and your family a very Happy & Blessed New Year!

    Rachel

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  23. Happy New Year, Kim! Those are such cute photos! When we moved to Richmond I joined a bible study that several friends recommended and I have definitely noticed a difference. While the words of the bible are comforting, I enjoy the more in-depth study that I might not get just reading by myself. Those are wonderful words for your New Year! All the best to you and your family in 2012!

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  24. I loved my word and Scripture verse for last year. I am having a hard time letting it go and choosing a new one for 2012.

    All that best to you and yours in 2012.

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  25. I too am "paring down" this year especially in my home. Reading my bible and attending church regularly is also at the top of my list. I too love these pics Kim...so sweet :)

    p.s. I picked up cocktail bling from Essie and LOVE it!!

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  26. Love these photos of you and Dave....they are awesome!!

    Paring down is something I definitely need to do myself.

    As for the ten pounds, I could never tell.... I am heading to the dr tomorrow so we will see what my damage is... I don't weigh myself at home, I usually just go by my clothes.....that are feeling definitely feeling snug:(

    Have a great week Kim~

    xoxo,

    Lisa

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  27. Oh dear...I am so behind on your blog from our travels to Texas. You look amazing my friend. I am petite also and I don't like my clothes snug on me either...I get that;)

    My 2011 was not so great and I am praying for 2012. I think it is being in God's word and I know that I'm a missionary and that sounds horrible. I have already made a commitment to Him to be more faithful this year and turn to Him instead of wallering (is that a real word? lol) in my self-pity of being homesick. Love you much my friend.

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Thank you for your kindness.