I Resolve...

Wow, it's 2009. I can hardly believe how fast the year went by. Of course, I say that every year. Don't be fooled by the title...I don't do resolutions. What I do like about the new year is reflection. I have reflected upon the last year and its ups and downs. I've watched families lose loved ones. I've watched friends go through some difficult times. I watched how hard it was for us...and surprisingly for our friends...when we uprooted and moved out west. I watched my little boy lose his first tooth. And my big boy struggle with change. I celebrated 40 trips around the sun. I toasted to good friends, old and new. I hugged my mom. I kissed my husband. I cuddled with my kids. I have food on my table, a roof over my head, and clothes on my back. We are healthy and well. I am blessed in so many ways.

And during this reflection, sitting quietly in my living room before the rest of the family rises to greet the new day and the new year, I look forward to what the year will bring. And as is my custom, I create the mother of all to-do lists. All those things I want to get done in the next few days (I have four days off!!), and maybe even the next few weeks. After all, goals are an important motivator in my life. I need them to keep me focused and moving. Sitting still and just "being" isn't something I've ever been good at doing. As I contemplate my forever to-do list in the coming year, I decided to add some more esoteric things:

Don't be so hard on myself.
Think before speaking.
Breathe.
Discipline in a soft voice.
Play with my kids.
Love my husband.
Put God first.

Ok, I will do ONE resolution. Before the weekend is over, I will post some stuff from Christmas!