My resolutions

Things that went right today:
1) Son missed his flight back to college so we have a few more hours with him.
2) Tropical scented hand lotion. Feels like I'm at the beach on this cold winter day.
3) It's a brand new wonderful year! Here's to 2011!

To create an air of accountability for myself, I've decided to put my personal resolutions for the coming year in print in a public way. I'm counting on my friends to make sure I stay in line. Now the below list is only a starting place. My total list of hopes and dreams is WAY to big to tackle all at once. And some things are too personal to publish. The list will grow and change as the year goes on and boxes get checked off and new goals are added. So this list is more representative than comprehensive, but it's a place to start and a direction to begin walking in right? I would encourage you all to put your resolutions on paper as well. To make them real and alive for you. I've divided my list into three parts

Things to cut OUT in the coming year:

1) FAT...we're switching to 1% milk. The kids are not thrilled, but I am undaunted. It's a small but concrete thing I can do for my family's health.
2) DIAPERS...had the youngest almost potty trained last fall but then we sort of went backwards on it. This is the year! The time is now for this house to be diaper free for the first time in 20 years. Wow! Seriously motivated on this one.
3)  SODA...I am not enforcing this one with the kids until I am fully practicing what I preach. This could get rough, because as I've previously admitted to others I am a bit addicted. But between the sugar, salt and caffeine it seems that soda is one of the worst substances you can put into your body. I'd like to keep it out of mine going forward. Better not talk about it anymore though or I may break my resolve on day one. A giant Dr. Pepper sure sounds good right now. Uh oh.
4) WHINING...enough said.

Things to add IN to my life this year:

1) ENTERPRISE...I hope to get my preschool, blog, beachbody coaching and websites all running smoothly throughout this year. These are all things I am excited about doing so I'm finding renewed energy as I'm adding them into my world.
2) TRAVEL...I'm planning to make a trip to Italy this spring to visit a dear friend and Boston this Fall to soak up some American history. Additionally my 18 year old son and I plan to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in the Summer. We had planned to go last year, but that didn't work out for various reasons so we are trying it again this summer. What a great experience that will be to share with him. Hope we can make it to the top!!
3) PERSONAL GROWTH AND FULFILLMENT:
 Piano lessons starting next week.
 Tennis lessons this Spring (this could be highly entertaining to observers. Let's just say I haven't played    in about 25 years. Yikes)
 Ballroom dance lessons (yes...I'm serious. Salsa maybe? Why not?)
 Joining toastmasters this month to try to get back into public speaking.
 Hoping to run a 5 K in the Spring. I "ran" one once before but cheated and walked some. Trying again.
 Signing up for karate with my 9 year old son. Hope I don't die. I'll admit I'm a little scared.

Things to RECOMMIT to anew:

1) Connecting daily with my creator through prayer and scripture reading.
2) Bedtime stories with my little ones. They just won't stay little forever.
3) Fitness and health (the dreaded sweat!).


I'm all revved up for the year ahead as I look at this list. I am thankful that my family is healthy and for the myriad of blessings we have that will make the above list possible. I'm also grateful for those of you who take the time to read my crazy ramblings here and encourage me to keep on writing. It is a wonderful outlet for me and I appreciate your friendship and support more than you know. Happy New year!!!