a new page...

Alot has been happening in the Long family since my last blog! Wow, almost a month since the last one. Christmas, New Years, my birthday, and life in general has been a blur the last month, and I'm kinda glad that life is returning to normal. We have had alot of snow, between Christmas in Charlotte, and a few good storms here in TN. The last snow was piled about 3ft on our deck, with the drifts. Being a Carolina boy, this has taken alot to get used to. At first, I was trying to enjoy it as much as possible, but it has finally wore me down, and I am really looking forward to spring. Ok, enough about the weather.     .;/i908mkobhj m vg ...haha, this is Tucker's addition to the blog, I think it says "hi guys!" Ok, enough banging on the laptop for him... This past week, Julie and I have started a new diet, and we love it! It's the "17 day diet" and it has really motivated us to take better care of ourselves, physically, as well as spiritually. We have loved setting goals, getting in a routine, and feeling better. It's amazing how just adjusting your diet, and adjusting your daily habits, can make you feel so much better, give you energy, and jumpstart a new you. I think this is more than just a typical "New Years resolution." From cleaning out all the junk food, and going through and throwing out all the unnecessary crap in the fridge and pantry, to having it look like a farmers market, it feels so good to finally live to our potential. For my birthday, I got an xbox, and we have loved doing the kinect fitness every night, as it gives us quality time together, and really is a great thing we can do as a couple to motivate and support each other as we strive to live healthier lives. From Mt. Dew to green tea, McDonalds to broiled fish and steamed veggies, and brownies to yogurt, it has opened our eyes to a more organic and simple way to live. I've even started to help Julie cook the meals, and I am loving it. (still have to work on my patience, but I'm making baby steps)  It's just a conscious effort we are making to spend more quality time together, and not just lounge on the couch and watch tv. (Julie is even going through some books with me!) Anyways, all this has defined the new page in our lives. To take better care of ourselves, to set goals, to be more organized, to be better with our finances, to always strive to learn new things, to push ourselves, to grow in our marriage, to glorify God. As Tucker grows older, and we grow with him as parents, we are excited about the opportunities and blessings that God gives to us each new day. It is my prayer that we set a worthy example of how we are to live in Christ, and by His Spirit.