I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone by. What they say is true – the older you get, the faster they go. It’s been a busy year with ups and downs, but overall it’s been a fantastic ride. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve come to appreciate my family and my friends more than ever. I’ve found out that seeing joy in your child’s eyes is one of the greatest things on earth and having a loving partner who you can trust is priceless. I’ve discovered that a best friend is someone who you can call in an emergency and they’ll be right there, without even asking for details. I’ve found out that the support of a church family is amazing. I’ve learned that it’s okay to say “no.” That’s been a really hard lesson! I’ve also been reminded time and again that God is bigger than any problem you may face and that you can run to Him anytime. He never changes and He will always love you.
Now 2010 is just a few hours away and I’m looking forward to this year with great anticipation. We have big dreams and big goals and big hopes. Some of the big dreams I hope will come in the quiet times. I’m taking time this year to slow down, to stop trying to be Super Woman and enjoy the little moments. I know so many people say these things around the New Year, but I truly mean it. I’ve run and run and run this year, trying to be all things to all people. This year my priorities are shifting a bit. God first, my family second, everything else third, fourth and so on. God gave me skills and talents and I want to use those to serve Him. I may be a control freak and quite a bit Miss Type A, but God gave me those qualities for a reason.
What’s New Year’s without some resolutions? So here are ours:
5 Ways I Want to Improve
- I want to grow in my walk with the Lord. That means a daily quiet time, praying and reading His Word. It means stopping to hear His voice. It means doing His will, even when it’s tough and I don’t like it.
- I want to be a better wife and mother. My family has often been pushed to the backburner in my eagerness to be Super Woman. That is going to change this year. I’m going to really listen to my husband rather than nodding my head and trying to look interested. I’m going to focus more on him. And I’m going to give more attention to Brady, even when I start to think about all the other things I need to be doing at the time. He’s growing up fast and I can’t stop that. There will be plenty of time for cleaning out the refrigerator and organizing the hallway closet later.
- I want to maintain a regular exercise routine and eat healthy, and that goes for all of us. Too often I’ll stick with it for a month or six weeks, only to fall off the wagon yet again.
- I want to focus more on my extended family. Taking time to call my grandparents and send them notes and pictures. Taking time to visit my immediate family. Taking time to catch up.
- I want to be a better friend. The Lord has blessed me with amazing friendships during the past two years and they mean so much to me. I want to make sure they all know that. I also want to entertain more often – no huge bashes, just inviting dear friends into our home to share a meal and fellowship.
5 Ways I Want to Help and Give
- We’re going to start tithing. It’s been hit or miss for us in the past. I’ve always wanted to trust God, but then I would look at the numbers on the paper and see how they didn’t add up. He has blessed us with so much and we need to give Him back what is His.
- I want to sponsor a child through Compassion International. We did this once and had to cancel our sponsorship due to some financial issues, but I want to try again. Brady has so much and these children have so little. $38 a month can change a child’s life.
- I want to help others in the community and I want to teach Brady what it means to help.
5 Projects – These are nothing deep, just projects around the house and in our life
- Replace all the blinds in the house
- Repaint the wrought iron railings
- Basic landscaping
- Buy a patio set for the back porch
- New tires and brakes for the Saturn
5 Financial Goals
- Save 6 months of expenses in an emergency fund
- House fund
- Give every dollar a name
- Start contributing to our retirement account again
So that’s it, mostly. This blog may not always be exciting or interesting and I don’t plan on becoming a Super Blogger. This year is about simplifying and slowing down. But I want to chronicle it here. Happy New Year and may God bless you and your family greatly in 2010!
