So it's a new year (again?!?? how did that happen already??) and the "thing to do" is to make resolutions...
so, if I were to make the resolutions I would like to keep, my list would include
- always be positive
- never say anything I shouldn't
- lose 20 pounds
- exercise 5 times a week
- budget better this year
and well, yeah... those aren't going to happen... and even if I did lose 20 pounds, I'd likely gain half of it back just in time to make a new resolution to lose weight NEXT new year!
So... instead of resolving, I'm going to goal set! (same thing, but less incriminating if I don't accomplish them!)
- first and foremost, to read to my children from the scriptures daily... we use to be so good about it, and somehow just got busy... having 9 kids is not an excuse to go slack on raising them in the Lord... this month we are focusing on the book of Proverbs, with the goal of reading one chapter each day (preferably at breakfast time)
- second, and right along with the first, to complete a read-through-the-Bible in a year again! TJ and I did this for 2012 and it was a great reminder of many parts of scripture that I had forgotten... not to mention it helped break in the Bible my dear sweet husband gave me last year, since my previous one wore out and much of the spine is coming out of the glue and the cover is pretty worn... but I've had it a long time, and it's been through many phases of life with me - my new one is large print for my aging eyes (ha!) and much easier for me to read :) still my much preferred King James version, but with the added bonus of being more visible :) even when nursing my little one and not able to hold the book in my hands while reading :) last year (2012) we did a chronological read-through - this year we are doing a cover to cover read-through :)
- third, which probably goes hand in hand with the first two, is to be more patient... I've been working on this, and on making sure my priorities are more in line with what they should be (despite tangents and projects and redecorating kicks!) and have been doing better... but there's still room to improve, and it's my goal to continue working toward that end this year :)
- fourth, what kind of new year's goals would it be without adding in weight loss?? I have more than enough extra pounds for a mom of nine, though I do hear people comment "you look great for having so many kids!!" but that leads me to wonder, what do they expect a mom of many to look like, after all?? so, my more realistic goal is to lose 10 pounds... more if I can keep it off... ultimately, I could stand to lose 20 and not be very thin (my husband doesn't care for very thin, and honestly, I'm not sure I could keep that kind of figure... I stopped running long ago, and my aging joints just aren't up for that kind of stress these days... I'm getting older and I'm feeling it!
- next, yes, exercise... yeah, I get some exercise cleaning the barn, the chicken shed, and keeping up with kids and house and home! But it isn't usually the type that helps cardio health, so I'm hoping to get in exercise at least once or twice a week... but being realistic with my life and responsibilities, I doubt I could do more than that without dropping something else that truly does need doing!
- finances... what would a new year goal or resolution list be without something about finances?? for 2013, my goal is to be a better steward, to budget better, spend more wisely, and not give in to those un-necessary whimsical purchases that are forgotten in a day or a week! I'm usually fairly good about that, but I could do better!
- finally, to be more forgiving, more loving, more kind to those around me... most especially family, but also those outside of the family - people can say and/ or do hurtful things, and it's easy to become offended or upset when people pass unfair judgements or whatever... what isn't as easy, but is better to do, is to forgive them and treat them with the caring and kindness that we would have liked them to extend to us. We are different - we stand out - we are called to be different... it's a good thing, if it's done in obedience and not in legalism or for show... strangers or passing acquaintences just don't understand that sometimes, and their comments can be hurtful - those people need forgiveness more than they need our defensiveness. :) Most of the time I can take it like water off of a duck's back - but sometimes comments rub the wrong way, like those who see a large family and assume there is some sort of perversion going on, or that the large family *must* be on welfare or whatever, when in fact the husband and wife are very much in love with one another and love having many children... and while we will certainly never be rich (and don't want to be either, for that matter!), we also aren't on welfare... but that's a sensitive point that really shouldn't be - so I need to work on that ;)
- and well, most finally, to continue to not have a reality show! ha! the thing about large families and reality shows just doesn't make sense to me... I haven't seen one (and really have no desire to see one - I certainly do not miss having tv channels in our home, it's been more than a decade, and we really prefer it this way! *grin*) but I also don't understand why anyone would want camera crews and people constantly in their home, losing their privacy and what not, all so that they can show the world how they live... no thanks - I'd much rather maintain our mostly quiet lifestyle :) (for the record, I'm not knocking anyone who does have other opinions on this, and I've heard great things about the Duggars and did read an exerpt of an interview by Michelly Duggar about why they do what they do - I respect her reasoning that she shared, but it is so not me! ;) I don't even like to have my picture taken! ha! :) (and well, that would be on my husband's wish-list for me for the year... to not dislike that so much... but he has gotten some snapshots of me doing stuff, so that my picture is also in the family scrapbooks, lol...
There are other goals too, but they are more thoughts on the loose than set goals... my brain runs too much on a rabbit trail to write them all down! :)
Happy new year, and wishing you all the best in keeping your goals for this new year! :)
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