Goals

I am a goal person.  It drives my husband nuts, but it is just who I am.  The beginning of each year is a fun time for me to plan and think about all the fun things I want to do and accomplish.  Usually I bite off more than I can chew, but it's fun to try anyway.

Shawn and I talked with the kids last night about what we wanted our family to achieve this year.  Each person got to choose one word to describe what kind of a family we want to be.  Ethan chose CRAZY, Cole chose FUN, and Liv chose KIND.  So it looks like our goal for 2012 as a family is to be CRAZY FUN and KIND.  That sounds pretty good to me.  We also set a family motto for the year to SERVE, SHARE, & SIMPLIFY.  Serve others, share the gospel, and simplify life.

As for me personally, I have a few goals, other than the regular ones to exercise more and eat healthier.  A few months ago Ethan came home from school in a great mood, but upon his return realized his mother was not so happy because he didn’t get his chores done before leaving for school.  After a few stomping and screaming fits Ethan said, “Mom, I was really looking forward to coming home from school today, but now I don’t even want to be here.”  This hit me.  It hit me hard.  I realized that due to something as stupid as a few dirty clothes on the floor, I had successfully made my child not want to be at home.  My home.....the home I've created to provide for my family.  I try so hard to make sure people feel welcome and comfortable in my home, but my own child was telling me he didn't want to be there. I knew right then I needed to change something.

So, my first goal for the new year is to invest in us.  
Invest all my time and energy is creating special moments.

Moments that will build them up and strengthen them.

Moments that will show them they deserve the best.

Moments that they will cherish forever.

Moments that will begin to shape them into the kind of people they will be for the rest of their lives.

Moments that will let them know they are loved and cherished.

My second goal is to create the best ME.  The best me for my husband, friends, neighbors, and especially for my kids.  I want to be able to give them the best and you can't give what you don't have.  If I want to give my kids patience, I have to HAVE patience.  I need to create the best me so that I can give them all the things the need to grow into healthy, confident adults.

So, here is to a new year with new goals.