Thursday, January 2, 2014

My FOURTEEN for '14

I have not done "resolutions" in a few years.  I began thinking it was pretty lame honestly.  I mean do we ever really follow through?  Me=NO!  I try for a few weeks.  What I realized is that when I do not make a list of yearly goals I just don't try at all...not even for a few weeks.  I tried to make a list of VERY attainable goals.  Things I will definitely have to work toward and won't happen overnight, but by December 31st 2014 I should be able to have a lot of these in place easily.  So, here it goes...my 14 goals for 2014.

No particular order...


My 14 for ‘14

1)      Put away the phone!!  I spend more time than I care to admit glued to my phone.  It is ridiculous.  I am missing precious time with my kids to look at a phone?  DUMB!  From now on my intention is to come home, plug it in to the charging station and not look at it again until both kiddos are asleep.

2)      Save money.  Things are about to change financially for us.  For over a year we have had no mortgage, no utility bills, etc.  Therefore we have kind of lost our ability to think about purchases and kind of spend money without a thought. Not good!  In about 8 weeks we will again have all those big monthly bills so we will HAVE TO start saving again!! We do pretty well with the retirement plans/401K’s/catastrophe savings, etc, but just regular saving is more difficult.  I like some of the savings ideas I see online.  I want to find one and stick to it.

3)      Take Mason on a trip.  The plan is to take him snow-skiing for the first time (we have a vacation savings so that won't interfere with #2).  Along those lines…mommy son date times.  Once a month to a movie, lunch/dinner, musical, library etc…

4)      ME time.  I need a good hair-cut, new make-up make-over, new up-to-date clothes, workout time, and to eat healthy.  The new year is a good time to start taking some time for myself (which I have neglected BIG TIME).  As always, lose weight so I can be healthy.  I HAVE TO get all my unhealthiness in gear this year so I will feel good and get off of some medications!!

5)      Spend intentional time with the kiddos.  I am with them a lot, but find myself just trying to make it to bedtime a lot of nights.  :( That means the TV is on Nick Jr, I have my phone (see #1), trying to get dinner for everyone, stressing through bath and bedtime.  I HAVE TO slow down and enjoy these times.  Play more made up games, board-games, outside play, patience with a 5 year old that so craves attention, floor play time with Lucy, sing/talk/read/pray with Mason at bedtime etc.

6)      Date nights with Brady.  It was hard enough with one baby, but with 2 those times alone are few and far between.  We need some nights out!  Looking forward to a mini-trip in January just us.

7)      Get ORGANIZED.  So much would fall into place if I were organized!  I really hope with the big move coming soon  it will bring with it LOTS of organization.  I need lists, menu planning, everything put in its place, cleaning schedule, grocery store planning.  LESS CLUTTER all the way around.  Cook more at home.  Pick up the house every evening.  Mason is old enough to help and got a chore chart for Christmas.

8)      Friend time.  Somewhere along the way (ahem, since my sweetie #2 was born) that has been almost non-existent.  More hanging out even if it is at our houses.  Dinner here and there.  Musicals/movies/plays here and there.  Craft nights!!

9)      Make our house the place to be.  I want to invite family and friends to just come hang out at our place and make it cozy and accepting.  Family meals on Sundays, holiday parties and hope to make game nights a new tradition.  When I made the plans for our new house I tried to make it cozy and inviting to others.  It's not a big house, but it's hopefully going to be full of warmth! 

10)   More time praying and seeking God.  I am in need of a good devotional or bible study.  Since my situation with my kids is unique, I was out of church for about 2 years with Mason and will be the same with Lucy due to their weakened immune systems (just can't risk Sunday School germs!).  It is so easy to put it all to the side including prayer time unfortunately.  I need a 365 day study.

11)   Make a “thankful” jar---like on Pinterest.  Write down big events, fun times, funny moments, family outings, etc and read them at  the end of 2014. (Update: DONE!!!!  Rebecca made me one for Christmas…now to fill it with fun memories!!!)

12)   Be kind…randomly.  I love hearing random acts of kindness and I want to be more giving and do those things throughout the year.  I want to include Mason on them too so he can learn how to be giving to others (Lucy too!).  For some reason I chicken out sometimes when I feel led to help someone…WHY?

13)   Read books during my down time and stay away from the computer unless it is for something like working on memory books or editing photos.  As in #1 I am just so tired of feeling stuck to technology.  There is NOTHING on the computer or phone that can’t wait until another time usually.  It honestly stresses me more than relaxes me.

14)   BE HAPPY with the life I have (and I do have a good one!).  All of these are GREAT goals and attainable goals.  But most of all I want to live in the moment and be happy!  J
 
 

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