A Mom's New Year Resolutions

Well, here we are at the end of another year. For me, this has probably been one of the most difficult years of my life. Many wonderful things have happened, yet many terrible things have happened as well. I know that our lives are made up of ups and downs, but this year has been more downs than ups. Years like this make us look back and appreciate the years we had things so well.

It's always this time of year when I sit down and contemplate what I want to accomplish in the upcoming year. I make a list of a few things (ok, so there are usually more than a few things) that I need to do in the new year. I then proceed to not do them in short order. I don't know what causes me to forget my resolutions before the month of January is even over, but I do it every year. Don't get me wrong, I have done well some years to make it as far as March.

This year, I didn't want to do the same old, same old. I wanted to do something a little different. I decided to make a list of things I wouldn't do in the New Year as opposed to things I would do. I know a lot of people rather look at things the other way around, but I definitely need a new approach. So here goes. . .

1) I will not give up running. I will keep trying even though it's hard, cold, and well, plain painful at times. Currently, I am running about 3 miles. I plan to increase that this year.

2) I will not be the same wife/mother I was last year. I don't think I was a bad one, but I want to do better and find ways to become the person God would have me to be for them.

3) I will not over do it on my schedule. I want to have a less stressful and hectic year. I think I have the ability to pull this one off now that our family has made some adjustments and I look forward to being able to do more for my family and our church by being a proactive planner with a calendar. I think that by actually using a calendar I can keep our events at a minimum.

4) I will not be a Christian in my words alone. I want to have my actions speak for me.

5) I will not take the mountain tops for granted. This is something that I have done for years. Last year taught me that I can no longer do that.

6) I will not allow fear to drive my thoughts, actions, and life. I will ask for God's help.

7) I will not take my family for granted.

8) I will not allow my house get the best of me. For those of you who know me well, you know I am not a neat freak. I have a mess going pretty much 24-7. I then allow myself to become completely overwhelmed by the mess until I cannot function. No more in 2011.

9) I will not allow myself to stay indoors for days at a time. I am going to get out and be more accessible to my friends. I have learned this year that it makes me a better mom and wife to have some "me" time.

And last but not least. . .

10) I will NOT allow other relationships, things, people, events, etc. to interfere with my relationship with my Heavenly Father. In the last few years, I have allowed so much to come between me and Him. I am putting my foot down.

After making my list, I look back and realize I am still making resolutions. However, I am much better about not doing things than I am about having to do something. I hope that my blogs in the future will reflect that I am not doing things well! I would love for each one of you to come and leave a message of encouragement or accountability for me when you think of it. I hope that if you have trouble keeping resolutions, you might try the same tactic.....I'll keep you posted on my progress!

You Know you are a Mom if...

I had an interesting night last night. It prompted me to make this list! Comment with your own moments! I would love to hear your own experiences moms!

You know you are a mom if. . .

1. you fall asleep with a pacifier in your teeth and you wake up and it's still there!

2. you wipe other people's booties more often than your own.

3. you go into a store alone and say "No, stop touching that!" without even thinking.

4. you play Facebook games because your son wants you to.

5. you are known as your kids' mom. No one knows your real name.

6. boogers no longer disgust you. In fact, you try getting them for your husband.

7. your front porch looks more like a toy yard sale than a place to relax and greet friends.

8. going to Walmart (or anywhere for that matter) with dried snot or spit-up on your clothes doesn't bother you.

9. you have more expenditures at Children's Place than any retail store that would sell clothes in your size.

10. you have so many little plastic cups from restaurants in your cupboard that you could host a party for 50 kids and everyone would have one (including a lid).

11. you can sing cartoon theme songs or episode songs like (but not limited to): Spongebob, Wonder Pets, Bob the Builder, Curious George, etc.

12. you sing songs listed above without your kids enticing you to or when they are gone.

13. you go to the store and come home to find out you have random stickers on your butt.

14. every time you move your couch there is a treasure of forgotten toys that become the new toys all over again.

15. you hold the hand of a beautiful child at night while they sleep and they tell you that they are the only thing in the world they need.

I would love to hear some of yours! Comment below and share! :)