i want to:
run.teach my body to run. take care of my body, get back in shape. i'm not defining this by a number on the scale, or a size on a tag. i just want to feel good about myself.being part of move more eat less is something i'm really looking forward to.
learn how to shoot fully in manual. no more of this AV stuff.
sew. take my singer off of the shelf and use it. learn how to make this t-shirt.
find a church. be really active in my church community. i tend to rely on my faith when i'm scared, worried, overwhelmed. i need to get better at growing in my faith all the time. not just when i need Him.
have a date night (more than one, but let's be honest...i'm hoping for just one) with jimmy.and kissing. always lots of kissing. :)
i will:
turn 34.
celebrate sadie's third birthday.
watch harper start kindergarten.
watch my babies turn one.
go through two more deployments.
stay in savannah through 2012. which is a long time for us!
keep making things i love for studio calico and jenni bowlin. dream gigs. so grateful to be given the opportunity for another year!
i am determined to:
be happy. grateful. courageous.
it's pretty simple. i don't want for much...home, happiness, love, making things...friendship, laughter...
and to
do it all with grace...my word of 2011.
I resolve to handle pressure with grace. To weather this year’s deployments with grace and with a smile on my face. To model grace to my girls.
Grace is moral strength. Elegance. Kindness. Gods grace is the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
I may have not been blessed with physical grace, but I sure can choose to exhibit it in my character.
This year I will be kind. I will say thank you and look people in the eye. I will smile at others when they cross my paths. I will not let the fact that I am having a bad day change the way I treat people.
Happiness is my responsibility.
Here's to 2011. Lots more blogging, and sharing, and I hope you will all stick around for it. I love each and every one of you, thanks for a year I could only dream of. xoxo
s
beautiful! happy new year!
Posted by: katrina | 12/31/2010 at 06:59 PM
Happy New Year friend. I hope all your resolutions find you. My word for this year is Joy. I want to find Joy in all the little things and big. Love you. Hope we can get together soon. xo
Posted by: [email protected] | 12/31/2010 at 07:08 PM
Looking forward to sharing 2011 with you....
Losh
Posted by: Lorraine Johnson | 12/31/2010 at 07:09 PM
Fabulous post! May you keep inspiring and BE inspired in 2011.. Happy New Year!
Posted by: lkylaurenkay | 12/31/2010 at 07:12 PM
Happy New Stephanie, to you and yours. I wish you much Happiness and Good Health in 2011! Your little and big darlings are precious! xox J.
Posted by: bluemoon | 12/31/2010 at 07:13 PM
Thanks for a wonderful year of sharing with us. I look forward to your blog each day. It is a highlight actually! Have a blessed and happy year - filled with God's grace.
Posted by: Pat | 12/31/2010 at 07:17 PM
Happy New Year! I look forward to sharing your journey via Blogland.......
k8
Posted by: k8scraps | 12/31/2010 at 07:27 PM
Perfect! Happy 2011!
Posted by: Abbeyviolet | 12/31/2010 at 07:27 PM
Great post Steph. My word is Thanksgiving. Praying for you today that you seek His Grace while living in grace. That you find a good bible teaching church and that He opens opportunities for your gifts and talents to be used to minister to His people.
For a brand new year. For your beautiful family.
In His grace and love!
Happy New Year Howell family!
Posted by: Tiffany | 12/31/2010 at 07:28 PM
Love love love this post, you are so inspiring. xx
Posted by: Sar W | 12/31/2010 at 07:29 PM
Incredible...Amazing...Full of Grace. I feel and think these things every time I visit your blog. Thank you for sharing your honesty and undying positive attitude. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Olivia | 12/31/2010 at 07:32 PM
Perfect lost!
Posted by: Jacque | 12/31/2010 at 07:35 PM
grace is my word too steph. it was my word in 2009, although i didn't follow through with it, so this year i'm revisiting it.
sorry to make this a long comment, but this is off my amazing grace shower gel from philosophy. i love it:
'life is a classroom. we are both student and teacher. each day is a test. and each day we receive a passing or failing grade in one particular subject: grace. grace is compassion, gratitude, surrender, faith, forgiveness, good manners, reverence, and the list goes on. it's something money can't buy and credentials rarely produce. being the smartest, the prettiest, the most talented, the richest, or even the poorest, can't help. being a humble person can and being a helpful person can guide you through your days with grace and gratitude.'
happy new year sweet girl. (beautiful post by the way. it made me tear up.)
xx
Posted by: sarah | 12/31/2010 at 07:35 PM
Happy New Year! :)
Posted by: Jessica | 12/31/2010 at 07:36 PM
Lovely Post. Have a Happy New Year! I'm a little jealous of the Canon 5D (j/k)...please write a review and let us know what you think. I considered purchasing one for myself. It doesn't have a flash, does it? I really hope you enjoy it! Thanks for your inspirational posts!! Bless you and your beautiful family.
Posted by: Mariah | 12/31/2010 at 07:50 PM
Love it dear!! Love your word for the year too. This totally makes me want to do a post on my word for the year.
Posted by: Annie | 12/31/2010 at 07:52 PM
Good word!!! I'm still torn with mine lol
happy new year sweet steph!!
xo
Posted by: C. Rayevich | 12/31/2010 at 07:52 PM
Love you.
Happy New Year, Steph!
Posted by: kelly | 12/31/2010 at 07:56 PM
Thank you Mariah!!! Its not my camera...our photographer, Neely, gave it to me to hold during our photo shoot!! Xxo s
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 12/31/2010 at 07:57 PM
You have had a wonderful blessed year! I am wishing even more happiness for your sweet family in 2011!!! I truly enjoy reading your blog and have loved watching your family grow through the past few years. You make me smile soooo much! ((hugs))
Posted by: Kami | 12/31/2010 at 08:25 PM
This post is one of many reasons I am proud to call you friend. Happy new year to you, J, and the chickies...all FOUR of them!
Posted by: Steph H | 12/31/2010 at 08:45 PM
Hey sweetie! Happy New Year and good luck with all of your wishes! If you need any running advice or encouragement you know where to find me!!
My goal for this year is to run another full marathon and 4 more halfs to reach my goal of 20 half marathons by my 50th B'day in Dec 2011!!
And to get better at swimming so I can win some tri-athlon age group placements!
Posted by: Beth | 12/31/2010 at 08:56 PM
inspirational post!!! I was thinking today I need to narrow down my list.. now seeing yours I am good w/a long list too :) I can't wait to see what comes next on here!!!
Posted by: Kim | 12/31/2010 at 09:08 PM
Wonderful post! Good job!
Posted by: Susan Beth | 12/31/2010 at 09:26 PM
Happy New Year beautiful girl. Keep blogging the way you do - real, inspirational and with grace :)
Posted by: Rachael | 12/31/2010 at 09:28 PM
LOVE YOU!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE HOWELLS!!!
Posted by: Christine Campbell | 12/31/2010 at 09:31 PM
Wonderful goals Stephanie! Happy New Year from my family to yours :) Big Hugs from Houston!!
Posted by: Carla | 12/31/2010 at 09:46 PM
What an exciting year to come, for me aswell.
I will make the trek back down to savannah to finish my education at SCAD. I really love reading your blog and seeing you starting to explore savannah. Theres a lot of history there embrace it and find the holes in the wall that will end up making you smile. I have to mention I love your scrapbooking aswell, someday I hope that I will be lucky enough to design for studio calico and serve them proud. Thanks for such a great blog!
Posted by: emily | 12/31/2010 at 09:47 PM
Happy New Year to you, Stephanie! I so enjoy your blog---thanks much!
Posted by: Brenda | 12/31/2010 at 10:08 PM
Beautifully said. Happiness really is our responsibility. I'm going to write that down and stick it on my wall.
Happy New Year Steph.
Posted by: Cass | 12/31/2010 at 10:23 PM
Words with true heart. And grace. And so many that I could apply to my own life--move more, eat less, grow in God's grace... Trying to decide if want word for 2011--I've not done so well with Balance, Create... was thinking this year should be Resolve or Focus. Focus on God, husband, kids, family, move more/eat less, photography, scrapping, learning... Focus on not being overwhelmed! :) Thank you for sharing on your blog and in your art. Much joy, peace, and God's blessings to you and yours in 2011.
Posted by: amy | 12/31/2010 at 10:33 PM
Beautifully said, Stephanie. Thank you so much for your posts...your honesty, emotion, and, yes, grace, are a constant inspiration! Wishing 2011 brings all that you hope for, for both you and your beautiful family. Most especially, I pray for J's safety and well-being during those deployments and offer my gratitude for the sacrifices you both make on behalf of all of us!
Posted by: Tinka | 12/31/2010 at 10:49 PM
May you and your family feel as blessed as we as readers of your blog feel to share your life.
Posted by: linda | 12/31/2010 at 11:05 PM
Stephanie....I just told my nephew...who is stationed in Savannah...about you and your family...he of course thought I was totally nuts to say I have a "friend" in Savannah! LOL! I appreciate you, your creativity, and your transparency in your writing and scrap booking.
Happy New Year!
Many Blessings!!
your sis in Christ;)
tonyad
Posted by: Tonya Dieterlen | 12/31/2010 at 11:15 PM
i think this might be my most favorite post of yours ever. happy new year my friend!!
Posted by: Jenni Hufford | 12/31/2010 at 11:20 PM
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Thank you for sharing your life and your family with us! Looking forward to great 2011!!
Posted by: Marti Richards | 12/31/2010 at 11:42 PM
Beautiful!! Happy New Year to you!!!
Posted by: Lara | 12/31/2010 at 11:51 PM
Stephanie, you are truly one of the most graceful people I have ever encountered in my life. It may not seem that way to you, but your words, your strength, your spirit exudes a beautiful quiet grace that I feel every time I read your blog or Facebook. You are closer than you think. All the best for a wonderful 2011.
Posted by: Lora Oliver | 12/31/2010 at 11:59 PM
I love this. I just started to run about 6 weeks ago am an training for a 10K. It's a good way for to set goals and learn to run! Shooting in manual is easy peesy. Lots of practice and you'll get great results. You already have amazing photos so whatever you are doing works!! Happy New Year!
Posted by: kate | 01/01/2011 at 12:52 AM
Grace is my word for 2011 too! Happy New Year!
Posted by: PattiP | 01/01/2011 at 01:56 AM
Happy New Year Steph! I look forward to sharing another year here with you :)
Posted by: Jen Thompson | 01/01/2011 at 03:05 AM
I wish you and your beautiful family a wonderful 2011!
Posted by: Iara Gomes-Baer | 01/01/2011 at 05:07 AM
HNY Stephanie! Awesome post! You are extremely graceful in appearance and demonstration! I'm looking forward to another year of following your blog!
Posted by: Kathy Martin | 01/01/2011 at 07:12 AM
Beautiful - may your year be filled with grace and everything else you need. God bless and Happy New Year!
Posted by: Vickie Lee | 01/01/2011 at 07:13 AM
Stephanie this is so beautiful and inspiring. I love your choice for your OLW. Makes me wonder if I should change mine from "focus" to "grace" too, because it is such an awesome word. I think I might just bookmark this post because it says so much of what I wish I had thought to say for myself... . I look forward to continuing to be inspired by you in 2011.
Posted by: Lonely Scrapbooker | 01/01/2011 at 09:00 AM
You are already so full of grace in so many ways. the way you handle deployments,moving, having 4 little chickies and on and on. I will pray that you find a really good church family. It is so important.I love your blog. Thanks to your family and all military families for what you do for the rest of us! May you have a happy,healthy new year full of God's grace.
Posted by: Jersey Girl Anne | 01/01/2011 at 09:47 AM
Happy 2011, Fabulous Lady!
Posted by: Barb | 01/01/2011 at 11:07 AM
happy new year!!! love your word "grace"...my new word is "possibility". have a wonderful weekend.
Posted by: jackie | 01/01/2011 at 11:16 AM
Good luck with 2011 and the possibilities it holds.
Posted by: JoLynn | 01/01/2011 at 11:28 AM
So very wise for you age! Loved every thing you said, we all should apply these things to our daily lives.
Posted by: Kat Layton | 01/01/2011 at 12:03 PM
Oh Steph!! I am so grateful for getting to peek into your life. You are so fun, uplifting,spirited, and down to earth with your posts. And, I love your pics. You are so blessed with 4 health children and a wonderful husband. We all go through hard times and dealing with negative things, but through you, we have each other!! I can't begin to thank you enough for blogging and sharing!! Hope you and your little chics and your soldier have a wonderful year!!
Posted by: Julie | 01/01/2011 at 12:09 PM
Wow...ok, this was an inspiring blog..my usual is 'just get through the year in one piece'. Although, my teens are turning into men, thinking, creative, productive men, who actually seem to like me and think it's ok to hang out with me for a couple of minutes a day. My job seems to be giving encouragement: 'drink your milk' 'get some sleep' 'use your brain', stuff like that. But very soon I go back to the real world..my youngest will be in college in two years....yikes...
Posted by: Candy | 01/01/2011 at 12:45 PM
Looking forward to "sharing" 2011 with you and your family. I so enjoy your blog....Thank you for sharing all you do.
Happy New year!
Posted by: Renee | 01/01/2011 at 01:02 PM
beautifully said!! I hope this is your best year yet! Happy New Year!! :)
Posted by: Jennifer | 01/01/2011 at 01:39 PM
Grace was my word in 2010. I LOVED having that as my OLW. I know that you {both} will enjoy the journey!
Sarah, I loved this quote! Thanks for posting it.
My 2011 word is "reflect" and I know that there are so many things (especially daily grace) that I want to focus on reflecting. Steph, thanks for this beautiful post ... I always love seeing how you reflect your faith and love and how your dear sweet girls reflect your love for them. Blessing in 2011!!
Posted by: Pidgen | 01/01/2011 at 02:15 PM
beautiful post!
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Eleni | 01/01/2011 at 02:52 PM
Happy new year steph. It has been such a privilege sharing your life through your blog. You are very inspiring. Praying this year will be totally blessed for you & your beautiful family & that you are able to achieve your goals this year. I already think you have so much grace (funny this was going to be my word this year). Looking forward to hearing about your precious life this year. thank you for sharing your thoughts etc with us, makes this uncoordinated, nerdy, insecure girl feel soooo normal. God bless. Mel xx
ps LOVE your top 10 from previous post. You really do inspire me to keep scrapping & blogging.
Posted by: Mel brewin | 01/01/2011 at 03:16 PM
Happy New Year Stephanie! Love this post, love reading your blog. Wishing you nothing but the absolute best in 2011.
Posted by: Jessica | 01/01/2011 at 03:41 PM
Happy New Year...Hoping that the year to come will bring you everything you are wishing for:)
Posted by: Es | 01/01/2011 at 03:42 PM
Where to begin... I began foloowing your blog just about a month ago. Thank you for sharing all of us. You are an amazing person and mother! Your girls are beautiful! Happy 2011
Posted by: Karen | 01/01/2011 at 06:13 PM
Grace is the perfect discription for you I think. What a beautiful and heartfelt post. TFS!
Posted by: samantha | 01/01/2011 at 08:39 PM
Beautiful and inspiring post!! I love that you picked the word grace for many reasons! Hee! Here's to a healthy and happy 2011! xo
Posted by: Vanessa M. Santamaria | 01/01/2011 at 09:13 PM
Inspiring and heart felt. Thank you for sharing!
Have a fantastic New Year!
Carol
http://caroleesscrappinspot.blogspot.com
Posted by: Carol | 01/01/2011 at 10:29 PM
SO Beautifully said! Happy New Year I look forward to sticking around for many years to come. Have a Blessed New Year...
Posted by: Katrina of Southern California | 01/01/2011 at 10:48 PM
Such an inspiring post Stephanie! Thank you for sharing your beautiful life with us all this year. I know everyone feels this way - but I honestly think of you as such a good friend! One I look up to and admire. Your blog is the first one I click on each day. Hope 2011 is a great one for you!
Posted by: Erin | 01/01/2011 at 11:48 PM
So beautifully written...just as beautiful as you are! Happy New Year!
Posted by: Joan | 01/02/2011 at 12:29 AM
Steph, I love everything about this post! I am totally with you on the health thing. Not a resolution for me-just a continuation of past efforts.
Savannah is such a great city! I am glad that you will be able to call it home for a good stretch of time. (((hugs)))
P.S. I absolutely adore that "double happiness" top!
Posted by: Jenn | 01/02/2011 at 02:20 AM
Stephanie, I only get to check in every week or two - but i wanted to wish you a belated Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!!! Your plans for the new year sound WONDERFUL. I need to sit down and think about the new year . . .it snuck up on me! Thank you for sharing your life and your heart! I love seeing the girls and their sweet and crazy faces (Sadie cracks me up!) I pray 2011 is the BEST year yet!
Posted by: laura | 01/02/2011 at 06:31 AM
Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family. Your post was inspiring - so much we all need to remember no matter our situation. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Dawn F. | 01/02/2011 at 07:04 AM
I love this post. Thank you, very inspiring!
Posted by: Heather | 01/02/2011 at 08:54 AM
LOVE your post!
Posted by: Angie F | 01/02/2011 at 10:01 AM
Beautiful post, Steph! I'm sure it will be a wonderful year:)
Posted by: Keshet | 01/02/2011 at 11:19 AM
Wonderful Post! You are so inspiring!
Thanks! Love reading your blog!
Thank you for reminding me that happiness is up to me. I am responsible for my own happiness, I cannot rely on others or objects to make me happy!
Posted by: Amy P. | 01/02/2011 at 10:04 PM
I'm a member of Trinity Lutheran..it's a very nice church and we even have a Scrapbooking group that meets once a month :)
My goal of the new year is to find my one little word "Clarity" and in that goal is to understand my faith more.
Deborah
http://www.trinitylutheransavannah.org
Posted by: deborah | 01/03/2011 at 07:24 AM
You *already* embody grace beautifully! No need for you to strive. Seriously that is a word that describes you so perfectly.
Posted by: Kim B. | 01/03/2011 at 12:42 PM
I am with Kim. I think you already do handle everything with grace! I hope you have a great year!! Stay safe, Jimmy!!!
Posted by: Michelle Unruh | 01/03/2011 at 05:29 PM
Definitely gonna stick around for it - your blog is one of my favorite ever and I love how you share your life and your talent and your beautiful family with us - thank you so much for that!
Posted by: Patty W | 01/04/2011 at 04:25 AM
Hi Stephanie. I went to Memorial High School and an old friend sent your blog to me because I write one too while living over here in Austria (no kids yet!) and she LOVES yours. I just wanted to comment, even though you already get an insane amount of comments!, and say hi and tell you how great your blog is and how beautiful your family is! I am from a family of seven children (yes, all same parents) and in regards to your post about "are you done?", people asked my mom that ALL the time. I remember some were rude and would just be like "are you crazy?". The difference between my oldest brother and youngest sister (a senior at Memorial now..ha!) is 20 years. It was so much fun to grow up in such a big family and it's still fun to this day. Life was never boring! I am very blessed and I realize this. Anyways, I admire your faith and dedication to your family..and staying sane with all that moving, your husband gone, etc. Keep inspiring us! :)
Posted by: Carolyn | 01/15/2011 at 06:54 AM