Resolutions 2012

This is going to be a great year.  I can feel it!  Last year I resolved to slow down and enjoy all the little moments just a little bit more.  I'm so glad that I did!  It was the first year of my little girl's life and it was very helpful to be reminded in those sleep deprived, discouraged days that these moments though frustrating and difficult are gems in the story of our life as a family.  I'm glad I took moments to drink in the peace of those midnight nursing sessions, to kiss the tiny toes of my little girl during diaper changes etc.  I'm glad, because those moments are gone.  Replaced by a much bigger girl.

That curious, active little girl has brought a new energy into my year.  My Resolutions list is at least 100 feet long.  I have SO much that I want to accomplish this year.  I have narrowed it down to just a couple global goals with smaller goals that will help me accomplish them.

•  I want to be more organized
• set better schedules with Kylea that include learning and socialization activities.  I think I did ok at this last year, as Kylea is smart as a whip and ahead of the intellectual curve for her age. (not sure if credit is really due to me but I'm takin' it anyway!) But I want to do better.
• set house keeping schedules so that chores and dinners don't get the best of me. (I think Kevin might have a nervous breakdown if he has to eat pancakes again.)
• Plan ahead for holidays.  Time to start setting traditions and celebrating!
• I want to be more spiritually connected
• Put more effort into my church calling.  Not that I don't try. It just gets shoved to the back burner more often than not.
• Make visit teaching a priority
• Make DAILY scripture reading (feasting) and prayer a priority.
• Search for opportunities to serve others.
• I want to recover my athletic abilities.
• run a race this year. How about this one, it seems fun!
• train for race by running at least 3 times a week
• strengthen core.
• eat more organically

I have at least a million more items that I am going to try to work on but these are the creme de la creme.  These are the ones I want to keep pursuing past January 15th. 

Here's to a bright new year filled with hope and endless opportunities.

New Resolve

Usually I begin the new year filled with brightness and ambition and resolutions.  With the year ending it is natural to assess how things went previously and resolve to do better next year.  I have noticed this year that instead of being filled with the optimism and hope for the new year I am instead feeling acutely aware of my imperfections.  Since Kylea has come along I feel this intense desire to be PERFECT and a feeling of disappointment with my imperfections.

I began making daily to-do lists (as I am prone to do) with hoards of tasks on them.  A couple days ago, as I set about rushing through my list that would make me a perfect mom/wife/person list I noticed little Kylea in her swing (which I rarely put her in but did on this occasion....because of the list) she was doing what can only be described as a baby sit-up and was craning her neck searching the room in an effort to catch my eye.  When she did her whole face lit up into a bright gummy smile and she let out a shriek of glee.  I was suddenly hit with an acute realization that the ONLY thing Kylea wants, is me.  She doesn't care about ANY of those silly things n my list.  Too often we rush around trying to be perfect in every way often losing sight of what is the most important in the process.  Chores are important, but not more important than my sweet baby, my husband or even myself.

So my resolution this year is to:

-Think more positively about myself.  Give myself credit where it is due.

-Soak in the small moments that leave lasting impressions.  Like snuggling the baby, dinner with my husband, or enjoying the brisk outdoor air with the dog.

-Begin and end each day with prayer

- Recount my blessings more often than the things I still lack.

-Take time for myself (though....not too much)

Happiness is not the sum of all things going right in our lives, it's a choice.  So my resolution is to be happy wether I and everything in my life is perfect all the time or not.  

10 Words For 2010

Adventure

Graduation

Change

Baby

Joy

Laughter

Family

Struggle

Triumph

UNFORGETTABLE