2011 New Year's Resolution Time...

Yes, for those of you who have continued to follow this blog, you will not be too surprised to know that I haven't forgotten you--just the blog. And since this is the dawning of a new year, I have decided I am going to do my best to keep up with my writing. I figure perhaps this can be a gratitude blog. I have realized that in the time I've been "not-blogging", I have fallen into the "I want what I don't have" type of mentality when in reality, I have soooo sooo much to be thankful for. So throughout this year, I will dedicate this blogging to my gratitude in all the big and little packages it comes in.

But first things first, I will share with you my new year's resolutions for 2011 (all of which are in no particular order-just the order of "DO THEM THIS YEAR"). So if I start the "not-blogging" again, any of you can give me a little nudge...And off we go on the road to a happier me (and possibly everyone else around me):

1. Learn something NEW: learn to play the guitar; crocheting; story writing; tech stuff...
2. Book of Mormon Challenge: Read at least one verse a day (personal study and with the girls); Study what we are reading (study guides); Pray about the things we are reading/learning (Testimony Building opportunity)--GOAL DATE: June 21, 2011 (Read the whole Book of Mormon with the girls before Ashlynn turns 8). MAKE IT A PRIORITY
3. Chore charts; Meal plans; homework schedules; preschool worksheets; ORGANIZATION
--Chores: done daily; specific chores for girls; work together (teaching/learning opportunity)
--Meals: budget; eat healthier; buy in BULK
--Homework: extra homework; workbooks during the summer time; additional reading for Ashlynn; Read to the girls every night (1 chapter a night; read from Book of Mormon too)
--Preschool: letters/numbers recognition; writing practice; preparation for kindergarten (Ellyce)
--ORGANIZE: word for the year is MINIMIZE (do we really need it?); go through each room-clean; organize; label; store;
--CONSISTENCY: discipline; schedules; be motivated-now is the time to teach proper values and to show them how to choose the right
**Be strong; be honest; be prayerful; be humble; be loving...
4. Read at least 30 minutes a day--use my NOOK...enjoy the classics (or try to). Keep a journal of all the books I read and the ones I want to...
5. Personal Prayers-EVERY MORNING; set alarm; Be specific in my prayers-be thoughtful; be honest; be sincere; be grateful...MAKE IT A PRIORITY
6. Speak more softly: be patient; be understanding;be loving; be open/honest with my feelings; be strong (stand for what I KNOW is RIGHT)...
7.Preach my Gospel: read, study, and pray as I go through the manual; strengthen my own testimony and share it with others; be an example to friends and family members; Be done with the manual by DEC. 2nd.
8. Drink more water and less soda-eat more fruits and vegetables; meal plans-always have a fruit/veggie with a meal. Do NOT eat out-unless for a special occasion (teach proper manners at home and if we are out)
9. Family Home evenings: be consistent; plan ahead; share a quick lesson; find scriptures to go along with the stories/principles taught; print off coloring pages for the girls; play games; sing songs; MAKE IT A PRIORITY-MAKE IT FUN!
10. Temple Attendance: date night; try to go at least once a month. MAKE IT A PRIORITY.
11. Date nights: 2x's a month (or more); be creative (and frugal); TALK; MAKE IT A PRIORITY
12. QUALITY TIME as a family (and friends)-what if most important? WHAT and WHO are valuable to me? Knowing this, spend more time on the people that matter the most and the things that matter
--Date nights with each daughter: know them and let them know how special they are to us
13. Fulfill my Church Calling: primary president-get to know our primary children and our teachers; be available as much as possible to help those in our primary (counselors/secretary); get to know my counselors better; be prayerful and remember to ask God to bless our primary children; Search ponder and pray about sharing time lessons--continually work on my own personal testimony while helping our primary children develop their own; be creative and fun; be observant to their needs...
14. TITHING: teach the girls
15. STAY HOME MORE: avoid over-scheduling the girls' days; do more at home (homeschooling for girls-Ellyce prepared for kindergarten in August); LESS or NO TV! Chore charts; schooling curriculum (preschool); weekly grocery shopping trips (avoid impulse buys); play outside more-QUALITY TIME with the girls; 1 day a week play dates.
16. Maintain house: save money for bigger purchases like furniture or appliances; keep each room as organized as possible (MINIMIZE); home decor'; no more junk piles (if we don't use it or have already read it-magazines-then get rid of it); paint the laundry room; repaint our room; organize garage and closets (possible shelving units for closets-utilize the space; no more dressers for the girls)
17. Write in my journal/maintain my personal blog: daily writing in small black journal; write in the big one for personal scripture study and preach my gospel lessons and ensign talks or whatever else...testimony building studying;
--be specific: ask questions and pray to know the answers
--pray before I begin studying (maintain a spiritual atmosphere)
--Learn and study the scriptures/principles-teach the girls EVERY CHANCE I GET!!!
18.Read my Patriarchal blessing often: There are blessings in there and goals that I can achieve-know what they are so that I can work towards them
19. Be sincere and honest-get to know myself and the woman/daughter of God/wife/mother that I am becoming (or can potentially become); say my true feelings-don't be a chameleon; be firm in my beliefs/testimony; teach the girls how to stand up for what they know is right...
20. Get lost in service: serve others; send out birthday cards; thank you cards; thinking of you cards; let other know that I truly care for them; call or text family members more often--or friends who have moved...
--serve my husband always: find ways to be more helpful to him and show him through acts of service my love for him
--serve my daughter always: put their needs FIRST (doesn't matter if I don't feel like doing something-do it for them; show them how to serve others also.
21. Read these resolutions often; work hard; PUT IN THE EFFORT IN ORDER TO GET THE RESULTS. Pray for the help I need to accomplish these goals and do not procrastinate...DO IT NOW!

Yes, this year I think I have doubled my resolutions. I guess I have a lot of things I really want to do-even more so, I need to do them! I think that I can be a pretty awesome person if I have the right mindset to do so...I will be the best darn mom, wife, friend, daughter, neighbor, and whatever else...I CAN DO IT! So here's to 2011 new year's resolutions!