New Year’s Resolutions

My New Year starts March 1st. Knowing that we would still be preggo in January, I decided to give myself a break and start my New Year’s goals in March. That would give me a little extra time to adjust to the new pace of things without totally falling off the wagon before I even started.


1. Lose the baby weight.


Okay people, I have my 10 year high school reunion this fall. I can’t look like I just birthed my second child. So cliché, but hey it is reality. Actually, I have already lost all of my baby weight according to my OBGYN at my 2 week check-up…my clothes do not agree. For my sanity I try to stay away from a scale at all cost and judge by my clothes on my progress. That is why I really don’t know how much I gained from my pregnancy. I am betting around 20lbs. I am going to miss these days of all-you-can eat bread and sugar…oh, sweet bliss (literally). I am still breast feeding though, so I can still get away with a few breads.


2. Do more with our money.


The best thing I ever did for our budget was take over our finances. That was a little less than a year ago. I was always finding an excuse to go out to eat or pick up this or that…and Chris knew we shouldn’t, but would go ahead and say okay. Then I read Dave Ramsey’s book and asked Chris to let me take everything over. Of course he didn’t hesitate. He hates paying bills. I created a spreadsheet and we haven’t gone over budget once since. Mostly it is because I can see exactly how much money we have at any given moment. I break everything down weekly and balance everything out on the 7th, 14th, and 21st. I have a grocery list and rarely stray from it…honestly that might be because I am always worried about the dreaded “grocery store melt-down” with a 2 year old. Thankfully we haven’t experienced it as of yet. I like to get in and get out as quickly as possible. Anyway, we are rockin’ our budget and now I would like to do more…as in set up amounts to put towards the kiddos college and the principle of our house. Chris and I sat down on our anniversary weekend and wrote out our financial goals for the year. This year we are planning to put in one of those underground storm shelters and save a ton for Chris a new-to-him car.


3. Read.


Pretty self explanatory, but I just feel like I don’t have time to read anymore…that is one thing I miss so much from my grad school days. Even if it was “forced” reading, at least I had to make time for it. I have a list going from parenting, faith, crafting, cooking and everything in between.


4. Go out with a girlfriend at least once a month.


I am really excited about this one! I feel like I have my own little world inside my home now. I don’t get out much and I am really craving friend time (also, something I miss from my grad school days). Anyway, I have decided that at LEAST once a month I will make specific plans for lunch, dinner, a manicure... something with friends. Chris is actually doing something similar to this (although not with other women :)), but his is more for work purposes and mine is just purely fun.


5. Recycle more.


I am really bad about recycling. Really bad. I want to change that, so this is my attempt.


6. Learn something new.


It is amazing how quickly the days fly by. It seems like every night we have something going on. When we start doing our photo shoots again I am sure it will just get worse. So, I want to take a class with some friends or start up guitar lessons again. Maybe learn to crochet or tackle piano lessons? All of those sound like fun. Basically, have something besides my kiddos and my awesome husband to talk about! Really, I could talk about them forever, but would anyone want to listen? :)


7. Give it to God.


This is His year to open new doors for me; be that what it may. I just want to make every effort to not be in the same place spiritually as I am right now- continual growth is what I am after. I want to try to grow more intentional and not waste this time we are given.


And so, there it is. I think it is a pretty good list and now it is in print, so you can hold me accountable!