2009 is here! Okay, it's been here for 4 days now (or is it 5, all these days are starting to run together for me) anyway....Here is how I ring in the new year.
I always get to bring in the new year by being another year older. This year I turned 29! I can't believe it-next year will be the big 3-0! I don't mind that my birthday is on the First. I have people tell me that they are sorry, or what a bummer it is, but I really don't mind. I am not "birthday" person-I don't have a birthday week or make people do things for me all day. Now, we get to celebrate Prestons birthday on the 31st and really ring in the new year!
Next I like to get a calendar-usually I get a Mary Englebreit one, but if that's picked over I get the next best one:) My favorite part is getting both calendars and sitting at the table and transferring all the birthdays, anniversaries and other days to remember to my new calendar. Then I spend some time looking back over the year and reflecting. By the way, when you're flipping through pages of a calendar summer doesn't really seem like it was that long ago! This year it was fun to see all of Prestons changes that were written down with care-his weight gains, when he got his first tooth, took his first step...I wonder what this years calendar will say? This is a tradition of mine that I do every year-it is a good time for reflection and to remember.
Now, I never make resolutions. I have what I call goals. For some reason when I call them resolutions it just puts too much pressure on me! Goals sound more realistic to me. So, some of my goals for 2009 are:
1. Send a birthday card to everybody who has a birthday written down on my calendar! (this has been a goal for the last 4 or 5 years) this year I am determined to do it! I always think about people when I see their name written down, and I'll tell Dave, "Hey, did you know it is so and so's birthday"-and then that's it) I am ashamed to admit this as this is mission statement of my best nesst! To let friends and loved ones know how much you care with a handwritten note.
Besides isn't it fun to get a card-not a bill-in the mail? I love getting letters, I really think it is a lost art! Half of me hates technology and the other half loves it. It is a daily battle!
2. Another goal is to read for enjoyment more. I love to read. I don't do it as much as I want to. My favorite thing to read the last couple of years has been Christian fiction. Some of my favorite authors are Terri Blackstock, Francine Rivers, and Robin Lee Hatcher. I love that I can do something I love, like reading and be encourged and inspired at the same time. This weekend I want to compile a book list for the year. *So if you have a book (it doesn't have to be Christian fiction!) you think I should read, please let me know by leaving me a comment! I also think it would be fun to join a book club-does anybody belong to one?
3. Third...(this will always be a goal for me) be purposeful. With my time, with my money with everything. Something I learned this year as that I will answer to God in regard to how I spend my time! This was a new concept for me-You always hear that we should be good stewards with our money, but this applies to how we spend out time as well! I want to start each day with a goal-it doesn't have to pan out, that's ok. But I want to have purpose to my day. Otherwise I would be content to drink coffee, and talk on the phone all day-and watch a little Law and Order. I wish I could say "just joking!":) And for the record -we moved the computer back downstairs to help me accomplish this goal. So I may not be blogging quite as much!
4. Pick up a skill. Like math or learning how to budget better or knit something other than a scarf.
5. And last but not least. Back up all the photos on our computer. And I am totally throwing out any notion of scrapbooking-gasp! Yup-I am not even going to attempt to scrapbook. I love paper, and I love making things out of it for the best nesst, but the thought of having to scrapbook all my hundreds of thousands of beloved photos makes me want to vomit! So I am being realistic and going with good old fashioned photo albums.
i just transfered all of my dates...that is one of my favorite past times of the new year too! how funny! :) AND if i was staying here in this house, i would totally help you with not wanting to vomit about scrapbooking. because it is possible. no, really...it is. :) haha. but i totally understand at the same time. AND you have to blog because i will miss you when you don't. for realsies.
ReplyDeleteWow, we are SO much more alike than I thought.
ReplyDeleteLove Francine Rivers (I assume you've read her Mark of the Lion series?? If not, you definitely want to read them). I am in a book club and we are always looking for more people to join (I can give you details later if you want).
I'm totally with you on the drinking coffee and not being purposeful -- I can really relate to that! I've been known to throw some laundry in right before Clint gets home so he doesn't wonder what I've been doing all day --terrible, I know!! I've decided not to do that anymore either.
I also agree with you 100% on the scrapbooking thing. I have all of the supplies for it. I've only made 2 scrapbook pages and they were for someone else's scrapbook! So I too have resolved to just get the pictures into albums so at least the kids can look at them -- right now they're all in boxes.
Yes Tammy, I have read the Mark of the Lion series and LOVED it!! I reccomend it to everyone:)
ReplyDeleteHey, great goals =) I especially like your thoughts on being more purposeful. You'd think with 5 kids I'd feel pretty purposeful every day, but it really is one of those you have to decide to be daily, otherwise it's just all a blur of the same repetitive things. I need to do better with that one.
ReplyDeleteI am loving having yours and your sister's blogs to look through, and I love your best nesst one too, I'm going to have to order some of your magnets, love em!
It really is amazing to me how we've all "grown up" and found what's really important in life, pretty different from our silly high school days huh?... I love how you all have inspiring quotes and an obvious love for God in your lives, it just makes me think of being at your house when I was little and the way it felt to be around your mom. :)