Krista

i’m not one for New Year’s Resolutions… those things generally are ridiculous and unattainable, and get set aside very quickly. however, when Brian brought up the subject of us setting goals for the year, and we talked about how one sets good goals, i thought it sounded like a good plan.

so, here are my goals for 2010:
1. lose 50 lbs by September 1st by exercising 3x/week. (i’ve been working on the food side of things for a few months now with success, this is simply the next step)

2. Begin looking for a new job in August. While i love Starbucks and the many great fringe benefits, i feel like there is probably something else out there for me eventually.

3. Knit one sock/month from Cat Bordhi’s New Pathways for Sock Knitting.  i’m struggling with her “story” approach to knitting, but it’s a good stretch for my brain.

4. Read through the entire Bible in a year.  i’ve chosen to read a different version than the one i usually use (NIV) so i’m reading The Message.  so far it’s very fresh and different, and i’m enjoying it immensely.

5. Practice piano for one hour a week.  this has not gone so well, but i’m trying hard to set aside some extra time each week.

just a quick note to say that my other blog, Queen of Desserts, is going on permanent hiatus. although i had all sorts of wonderful ideas for it, my new job and other things have meant that i have no time to really work on it. so from time to time, expect baking-related posts, photos and links here on brianandkrista.com – but the Queen is going to take a break

well, do you? if you’re curious, go here and watch the videos. there are 3 of them, so it might take awhile. i’ve watched the first one, and i’m not ashamed to say it made me cry, because i’m a pastor’s wife and i identify so strongly with some of those feelings.

i’m glad that Beth Moore is reaching out to ministry wives with her conference – being married to a pastor can sometimes be a very lonely existence. things like this make a difference.

i recently became part of the Thomas Nelson blogger book review program, and was tickled when The Moon Shines Down, by Margaret Wise Brown, arrived in my mailbox. here’s my first attempt at a book review on this blog!

The Moon Shines Down was written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Linda Bleck, with additional verses by Laura Minchew. The unfinished manuscript for this sweet children’s book was found in a cedar trunk in a Vermont barn, completely forgotten over the years since Margaret Wise Brown, the author of Goodnight Moon, died in 1952.

A sweet little koala bear travels the world by moonlight, and we are treated to painted illustrations of scenes from countries such as Switzerland, Mexico, France and Australia. Josh is captivated by the details in the illustrations, and by the lovely rhymes in this book. I have to say that I do think it’s a little on the long side *but* since Josh turned 4, his attention span has increased, so i’d say this is great for the 4-6 year old crowd and maybe even a little older.

The words are a great reminder that a loving God sees and cares for us, no matter where we are in the world, no matter what our background, the color of our skin… none of that makes a difference to our loving Heavenly Father. As a mom who is striving to teach her son to love everyone *because* God first loved us, i know this will be a favorite to go back and read many times in the future.

yesterday i had the pleasure of taking care of not one, but two very new babies for a few hours. they are about 5 weeks old, a brother and a sister, and they are THE cutest kids ever. not to mention happy and content… wow!

the baby boy was a bit fussy when his bottle did not magically appear as soon as he woke up, so i was comforting him and trying to get the bottle prepared at the same time. Josh, who was very fascinated with these two tiny babes, came over and looked at him. and then, he bent down and said something very softly to the baby…

“Don’t worry, she will make you feel better.”

i will confess, there were tears rolling down my cheeks at that moment.