Old Times Since

So 2011. Twenty eleven. Two zero one one.

Ho-ly smokes. The years seem to be passing by so fast now. Why is that? When I was a kid the years seemed to go by so slooow. I couldn't wait to grow up and be married, have kids, etc, etc. I'll be 29 this year. This is the last year in my twenties. Hmm. Trying not to focus too hard on that one.

Anyway.

I'm looking forward to the New Year for so many reasons. Some are obvious. I can't wait to start this surrogacy journey and of course all the wonderful things that go along with it. I can't wait to see Colton turn two (might come back and smack myself for this one) To see Dakota turn eight (Oh-M-Gee!) I can't wait for summer and all the other millions of possibilities that come along with a new year, new beginning. 

Not to be stereotypical but I really am looking forward to getting back on a diet/exercise routine starting Jan 1st. (Yah, I know, insert eye-roll) haha! But seriously, its worked for me in the past and I still have quite a few pesky pounds I'd like to lose. I'm not holding myself to any high standards as I'm more of a quiet, to-myself dieter (read: easy quitter) but I do hope to stick with it and get down to a more comfortable size/weight. Almost four years ago I started a diet/exercise regimen on Jan 1st and stuck with it until that summer dropping close to 40lbs. It was wonderful and I felt great! I tried my best to make as little fuss about it as possible because no joke, it takes a lot of work (duh, Kristen!) for me to lose that much poundage. One of the draw backs to being so tall is that weight loss, even significant weight loss isn't as noticeable on me. If I lose 20lbs, it sounds like a lot but in reality for me, that's only about one whole size difference. I lose 40lbs and I go down maybe two or three sizes if I'm lucky. Might make it easier to hide but that's reason numero uno I never tell anyone my weight. If it still shocks me after all these years, I know sure as sugar I'd cause a jaw-dropping, eyeball popping kind of look I'd never get out of my head so I keep my mouth shut and my scale in the closet! ; )

Since June of this year I've lost close to 25lbs but hardly anyone would notice unless I mentioned it. So yeah, never gonna be on a weight loss commercial with the big baggy pants pulled out 3ft from my waist. --But side note, do those people get paid? They must. Who would really wanna go on TV and show their fat pants? Not me sister!

Dieting-schmieting. Back to being excited about the New Year! I feel so much optimism and hope for this year. I can't explain it really but maybe because the odd years seem to be really good for us. A few of our best years were: 2003 (year we were married & Dakota was born), 2007 (year we went to Hawaii and I lost a bunch of weight as previously mentioned), 2009 (year Colton was born & James was accepted into the commissioning program). So you can see why I have more of a preference for the un-even years and why I look back on those days with a smile and warm memories. 

Speaking of which, you know the old New Year song, "Auld Lang Syne"? I've always wanted to know the words to that song and learn a little about its history so I thought I'd share what I found online about it. Its an old Scots poem written in 1788 by a guy named Robert Burns. Translated to English it means, "Old Times Since" and here are the lyrics in case you're like me and want to brush up before the ball drops:

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And days of long ago !

Chorus:
For old long ago, my dear
For old long ago,
We will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago.

We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the daisies fine,
But we have wandered many a weary foot
For old long ago.

We two have paddled (waded) in the stream
From noon until dinner time,
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old long ago.

And there is a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we will take a goodwill draught (of ale)
For old long ago!

And surely you will pay for your pint,
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago!

I don't know about you, but I love learning about things I've heard of my whole life just never quite had the whole scoop on. I'm ready with my cup o'kindness for two-thousand, eleven so bring 'er on my friends!

Many, many blessings to you and yours in the New Year!!