New Years' Resolutions...

Happy New Year everyone!! I pray that 2018 was a blessed year for you and that you are filled with anticipation for what God has in store in 2019. I know we are thrilled to begin this new year with lots of exciting projects and plans for the future.

Every year people come up with a list of 'resolutions' for the coming year. Why do we call them resolutions? Because we stand resolute to achieve them? I don't really know, maybe it just sounds cool. I have laid claim to my own in years past, but this year, I have decided to call them goals. Some are short term, some I am in for the long haul. Most might actually be achieved this year, while others are going to take a few. Either way, I am excited to raise the bar for myself and for our family to strive toward and achieve our goals in 2019.

Like most, I do have a fitness goal that is basically just to be stronger and to feel better. Along with that, I really need to give up Dr. Pepper. I know I've said it so many times and I have successfully given it up before, too. I'm gonna make it happen here sooner or later. I have found in my process of giving it up and starting it again, that I can't make myself feel guilty for wanting or even having one. I must recognize that it's ok to have ONE, ONCE IN A WHILE. That doesn't mean one, once an hour or even once a day, but it doesn't mean it's a mortal sin. So, we will see how that one goes.

We also have big plans for establishing our garden and starting our little suburban homestead. This is one that will be long term, but I do have little goals set in mind for this year. [More on this in a later post.] Another is to organize my office and craft closet. They have been the neglected spaces since we moved in and have slowly accumulated all the homeless items as we unpacked. It's time to shake out the rug and throw some stuff out! Overall, I want to strive toward a more organized routine and life. We have a decent routine most days, but I want to get as close to perfection as flexibility will allow. With three boys aged 2 and under, I live for the routine, but still have some work to do.

The goal I am most excited about this year is to design, write out, and post our family mission statement and values. We are planning on making a big deal about this to our kids and even getting a fancy frame to mark the occasion. Our goal is to have this completed by our anniversary, so I will keep you updated. We have thought and prayed about this a lot and really feel it would be a wonderful way to teach our kids the things that we hold important in this family. [I will definitely post more about the why, how and what of this entire project later this month, because I'm sure there will be questions about it.]

My final goal for this year is to spend more time writing. If we can get this routine down, then I should have enough time to write one new post a week, as long as inspiration arises. I pray you start your New Year out with new perspective and fire to get out there and achieve your goals, resolutions, dreams, or whatever you want to call them. God Bless you and 2019!