New Year...New Goals

I don't know exactly where this post is going this morning....I've been working on it for a couple of days and it's like somehow I'm kind of declaring to myself what 2012 will be about and the direction I'd like it to take.  It's taken me more than a day to come to the realization of what that is exactly.  So, in that regard, I may just ramble a bit...
I've thought a lot in the recent weeks what I'd like to see happen in 2012 and what kind of goals I'd like to have personally and for our family.  Questions that have come up have been along the lines of....

* what could we "cut out" for the year? (like the french fries that one year)

* what is my "ten things" list that I normally make and try to stick to?

* how much weight should I plan to lose? (isnt' that one always on there!?!?)

* what goals should we make as a family?

* what kind of adventures should we take?

* what are our spiritual goals both personally and as a family?

Lots and lots of those thoughts.  Thoughts that I am sure we all have.  But my aspect has changed a bit over the last couple of weeks and I've been forming more of what I want to see this year and it's a different perspective than I've had in years past.  My happiness and our family happiness is what is driving my goals now....

2011 was a really good year for us-not without it's challenges, especially being pregnant and sick for 30 weeks, and financially unable to travel as much but lots of wonderful things did happen.  We found out after ten months that we were expecting again.  Ammon started his fourth year of residency training.  Ethan started playing the viola.  We had lots of family come and visit.  Ammon did another triathalon and I did another half marathon.  Adventures taken and milestones reached....

This year we anticipate to be another memorable one, starting out with the birth of a new baby girl.  She'll be covered in white and be given a name and a blessing in a couple of weeks.  We'll have another daughter wearing white for a different special ordinance as Brynlee turns eight this summer and will be baptized as a member of our church.  Ammon will become chief and start his final residency year and by the end of the year, we may have some idea of where life post training will take us.  Karli will start kindergarten (how can that be?) and Hailey is excited about her "gumball birthday" party at the end of the summer.  I hope to do another half marathon and plans for Ammon's triathalon are sure.  The kids may try a mini triathalon and we hope to travel a little bit more this year and see some things that we are trying to fit in case our days around Columbus start to be numbered (potentials: Chicago, Palmyra and Boston, Florida or Virginia Beach and it would be a dream to go to New York at Christmastime!!!) Of course these are all thoughts...nothing set but fun to anticipate with excitement.
That brings me to what I want to look back and have accomplished at the end of 2012.  As we thought about where our focus would be, I realized more than anything I want to be happy and at peace with our life.  I never want to have regret in choices and decisions and I want to find joy in the things I spend my time on and fulfill my days with. Time is so short and days fill up so fast and I want to fill our time with good things.

So....the  biggest thing that Ammon and I decided we would do this year...which is practicing "intentional parenting"-a phrase coined by someone else, but something we want to practice in our family.

As parents of almost five kids, we strive daily and weekly to make them feel their own special worth and to not feel lost in our family.  We want them to know that we understand that they are individuals and all need different ways to be raised.  Some need more one on one time, some just need attention, some need to be listened to, some needs more hugs during the day, etc. 
This year we talked about being very specific in noticing our children and helping them grow individually.  We want to notice their strengths and play upon that and encourage talents.  We hope to see weaknesses and spend more one on one time or couple time helping them through those things.  Spontaneous lunch dates during the school week.  Teaching our kids to make something for dinner even when it's easier to do it alone.  Keeping one up later than everyone else to play a 15 minute game of Wii with Ammon and I.  A raquetball date, painting the girls nails even when I'm so busy, reading stories in the hallway at night, cuddling up and reading a book with just one child.  So many ideas but being intentional about how we do it.  At the end of this year, I would love to look back and think "I know each of our children really well, and I know them individually". 

 I've also learned a lot about myself as a mom in the ten years of being one. I need a creative outlet, but I don't need it as often as I once did. I strive to keep crafts in my life, but understand that they just take four times as long to complete. Ammon and I love dates nights, but date nights can too be created at home so that we don't always have to go out. I want to be healthier but not so much for the sake of a skinny body...more to feel good, run longer and to set good examples for our kids to live long lives. Reading is absolutely neccessary and so good for the brain but I get so wrapped up in a good story, I have to treat some of my books like chocolate chip cookies and resist the urge so that things get done. Housework is all about maintance and doing it everyday so it doesn't pile up.  Balance is the key...

Anyway, not to have rambled on for so long, but that's my background for this New Year's goal. To be happier, less stressed and not look back and have regrets-especially when it comes to Ammon and the kids. I know there will be time for more of the things I want to do later, and the one thing I'll always look back on will be how our kids succeeded and how happy my marriage is.
I'm more excited and at peace with this New Year and will keep making personal goals for myself because let's face it-I'm a list maker and goal setter but I also will be realistic with myself and my family and my time for this upcoming year.