May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions!

So I'm usually not really into the whole resolution thing. As I think about the past year and look forward to another, there are a few goals that I have for myself. In no particular order...more just as I think of them, here are my goals for the upcoming year.

Keep up running. Ever since I decided to train for the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon, I have been running a lot. The benefits have been amazing. Not only did I lose all the baby weight I gained when pregnant with Miles, I lost an additional 15 pounds. In addition to that, I feel good about myself and am a happier person. There are two passages that sum up my love for running from a book I am currently reading (Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving--and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity)...

• We’re running to process a bad day and, in doing so, make it better. We’re running to set a good example for our children. We’re running to feel lean, strong, empowered, and graceful. Although we’re not running the country (yet), we’re definitely getting in shape to do so.

• For an overstressed, overtired, overextended mother, there are few other sensations that rival a delicious run. Once the sweat starts running down my temples, I daydream, analyze, smile, wonder, channel something cosmic. I feel alive and, perhaps most importantly, like myself again.

Make sure to spend some alone time with my husband. This marriage won't really work if Kevin and I don't work. An important part of that is just spending time together...going out to dinner with just us, playing a game, talking, anything. It doesn't have to be special, it just needs to be us. We are planning a second honeymoon to celebrate our 6th Anniversary in the fall so that should be great relaxing along time for us!

More family time. Of course this means more time with the four of us. It's amazing that even in the past two weeks how much both Maddie and Miles have grown and changed. In addition, we definitely want to be sure to spend time with our extended families as well.

Read more books. I have such a huge list of books I want to read, but just haven't made the time yet. Usually it seems that I only read books at the beach. I would really like to read a book each month. I really would like to read a few before the movies come out (The Help and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)...of course not that I'll see the movies when they are released, but I need a goal date. 

Clean House. It became very evident as we were cleaning for our appraisal that we have too much stuff. I'm sure there are people out there who need a lot of it way more than we do. I want to go through each room, sort out what we need, and give away the rest. Very Lean/5S so I guess it works for me. 

Enjoy Life. I think this is pretty self explanatory.

2010 was a wonderful year. I am looking forward to all the the new year has to offer. I hope that 2011 brings everyone what they are looking for.

Enjoy~

What a year!

2010 has truly been an amazing year for the Doyle's. There were many milestones, events, and accomplishments in 2010. 

Of course the biggest event was Miles J finally making his way into the world on March 15th. He took his good old time and that has been his attitude ever since. He is the most laid back, happy boy we have ever met. He definitely brings a new dynamic to our lives and we are very happy to have him.

Kevin and I both turned 30 this year. Kevin in March and me in July. We had a joint party with family and friends to celebrate the milestone. Nothing too spectacular or crazy, but we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless.

In November, Kevin and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. It doesn't seem possible that it has been 5 years since the snowy November day that we finally got married and then had a blast celebrating with family and friends. We commemorated the event by enjoying a nice dinner out, staying at the same bed and breakfast as our wedding night, and going to a Pens game where we sat in amazing seats at center ice. 

Madeline turned 3 in December and continues to enrich our lives. It's amazing to see how much she has grow and changed over the years. She brings a unique perspective to our lives and it's fun to see what she thinks of and says next. For the most part she is enjoying her little brother and is very protective of him. Now that he is crawling and exploring more he's starting to bug her a little more. It will be fun to watch the two interact even more.

Both Kevin and I are running lots. We both ran well at the Buffalo Creek Half Marathon; Kevin won and I ran a PR by 7 minutes. I decided that the half was a fun distance (apparently turning 30 makes you crazy) and ran the Nittany Valley Half Marathon in December and have already signed up for the Pittsburgh Half in May. I can say that running A LOT really helps lose the baby weight and get back into good shape. Now we are doing are best to get out the door during the crazy Ebensburg winter. I think after the new year a dreadmill may be on the horizon.

It's been over a year and the kitchen is almost complete. Just a few trim pieces here and there and it's done! It's a huge improvement and even though it was a ridiculous amount of work, we are really happy with the results.

In what spare time we have between work, kids, running, the house, we also fit in time with family and friends.

It's been a heck of a year, but we wouldn't have it any other way. We hope that 2010 has been everything that you hoped and wish you nothing but the best in the upcoming year!

Love, The Doyle's - Kevin, Julie, Madeline, and Miles