New Years Resolutions

It's that time of year again and although I am always extremely ambitious and have high and unattainable expectations, it really is a good time to review the things that I need to improve on and any change, no matter how small, is moving in the right direction!

My resolutions in no particular order are:

Get moving!
I'm changing it up a bit this year and instead of setting my sights on weight loss, I'm just going to focus on a symptom I have that causes the actual weight gain. I'm vowing to work out in the mornings and even Mall Walk after taking the kids to school. The side effects of this SHOULD be a healthier me, including NOT going back to sleep with Cutecumber in the mornings. I hope this fixes a couple of issues as well, like late night snacking and putting off errands until midday when I have to rush before picking up the kids, but I'm not focusing on all of the side effects of this resolution, I'm just going to focus on one thing. Get up and get moving!

Good Bye Potty Mouth!
That is such an appropriate word for it isn't it. Potty Mouth! I don't know what happened to me this past year but the profanity has really gotten out of control. I used to have a problem with tossing the "SH" word around frequently amongst adults (we all know this means My Honey and that's it lol) but lately I find myself using stronger words with adults and letting the minor ones slip in front of the children, even...*blush* making a joke of it here and there with my oldest. Eek! I've always thought it was a trashy habit, especially when women do it, and I don't know why I thought I could pull it off with more class than everyone else. I can't, and I want to be done with it. So get ready for a lot of "Shhhoot!" and "Ffffunny bone!" and "Goosh darnit!" in the near future.

God!
Self explanatory, and there isn't a person alive that couldn't focus a bit more time on Him, but let me elaborate and be a bit more specific about what I mean for me. Honey and I have really grown a lot together this past year when it comes to religious maturity. We are at a point where we really need to find a church and have used a million excuses not to pick one, like Honey never having a Sunday off, and trying to agree on what type of church since we come from different backgrounds. But the time has come and we need to skip the excuses and actually start testing a few out. I'm nervous to go without Honey and entrusting my children with people I've never met, but I need to have faith because I feel Him telling me to do this. Trust in Him..isn't that what it's all about?

Organization!
I've been getting the house in tip-top shape for the new year. I'm hoping to have the house completely clean before the 1st as a gift to myself and then it's all about maintaining! I've let chores with the kids slip through the holidays and I need to get them back on track with that. Sometimes I find myself wanting to do it all myself or feeling guilty for making them do anything when their plates are full with school, homework, and just plain ol' being a kid, but I have to remember that teaching them how to do these things is my job and learning to balance everyday life and everyday chores will give them the tools they need to be great adults.

I've got plenty of areas in my life that could use improvement and the list could be a mile long, but these are 4 things I KNOW will make me happier and like I said before, even if I only take a few baby steps in the right direction through this next year, I will be a better me. I remember how many times I "quit" smoking for New Years. I remember how many times that I picked them back up. I know each time I smoked a little less frequently and it weighed on my mind and heart a little more. Finally, almost exactly 3 years ago today, I quit for good, after years of baby steps. I used to feel such guilt and shame when I smoked. Subjecting my children to the smell, and the risks I took with my health each time I picked one up. Embarrassed that my kids knew it was wrong and yet I continued on, no will power to quit and set a good example, even for them. Today, Cutecumber will never know a mother that smokes, the Scientist has long forgotten, and I've turned something so negative into a positive, proving to Ms. Thang that you CAN change if you really want to. Keep chipping away at your problems and eventually nothing will be left. Good Luck!