2011 Goals....

I’m not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions; I think they only set one up for failure and discouragement. However, I’m a huge fan of creating realistic goals and breaking them down into bite-sized pieces.  I want to focus on a few areas. First off financial goals, I would like to start faithfully living by a written budget. Matt and I took a Dave Ramsey budget/debt class last fall. Then we had little Brady and things got placed on hold for a while. Now that I'm officially back to work, the money will be in a normal flow again. We will pay off our truck this year (almost 2 years early) and work with force (as Dave would say "gazelle intensity") to pay off our van. Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey has opened our eyes and has helped us in our marriage.
Family Goals....
As I said previously, I would like to focus being more thankful for my blessings. Oh yeah, and stop YELLING so much. I'm really not mad-most of the time..ha ha!. I just have patience of a mustard seed. I find when I get to a breaking point with the kids I just yell. I need to work on that. I believe I'm a good nurturing mother who loves them unconditionally, just needs to yell less and smile or laugh more.  They are only little for so long, so I have to soak it up.  Embrace the chaos with three small children. Breath in breathe out!  I would like to faithfully take the time to get down on the floor and play with them. I get so busy in the daily things and don't do it enough.  I need to learn to put the house work on the back burner a little more often. 
Marriage..
I want to be able to spend more time together. With crazy work schedules and the kids it almost seems impossible to have time.  I want to strive to have at least one date night out a month.  The other time I'm happy with having time to together at home after putting the kids to bed.  It can be a challenge finding a willing soul to watch three children while we go out.  We have a wonderful family that helps us out often.  Thank God for them.  I need to tell Matt more often how grateful I am for all his hard work.  He's a wonderful provider, husband, and father to our children. What other guy would man three children every weekend by himself after working 60 hours that week? 
Career..
Working in nursing can be very rewarding, but man the patient and/or the family members can be difficult to deal with at times.  After saying that, I want to strive to be more caring and compassionate. Even if they have been there in the ER every weekend for the same "silly" complaint.  It's bad when you know people by there name without looking at the chart.  May I treat them and everyone with the same empathy and put on that smiling face.
Spiritual..
I would like to pray more personally and as a family.  It goes without saying that prayer can move mountains.  I find myself trying to solve things by myself and not praying often enough.  I should take more time to thank him for all the wonderful blessings I do have. I take these things for granted to much.  I want to continue to pray before meals and start praying with the kids before bedtime.  Kendra's prayers at meal time just melt my heart.  It could easily bring me to tears.  Often she thanks God for every item at the table.  Last night she said she was thankful for every item (and actually named everything) on the table & the beautiful world....Amen...Lets Eat!  Kids are so precious!! 
Personal..
I would like to start running again.  I have been blessed by being offered a treadmill by a family member to use.  By the end of the year, I want to participate in a 5K.  I know a wimpy goal, but I want to make it realistic.  I would love to do a 1/2 marathon one day.  Baby steps will get me to my long term goal.  I'm not going to say I want to lose weight, but I want to be more toned.  Women look down on their own bodies to much.  Hell, I had three children in four years! 
Well I think that's all the goals I would like to accomplish.  I realize I may not complete everything perfectly.  I just need some direction to focus on.  May God continue to bless us in this new year....

Okay so here I go....

I read other blogs and thought this would be impossible. I have never been the best at composing a paper or never earned an "A" in English.  Just look at my Christmas card this past year. I was made aware of my poor English writing abilities by my own brother. Oh well! That's why I'm not a English teacher...I think this will be a great way to express my personal struggles,challenges,& celebrations with marriage & motherhood. I believe in the new year I need to reflect more and take time to be grateful for the true blessings around me. Years down the road I won't remember those day and day things with my family if I don't write it down. So here I go on the journey to doing something new.