Who is ready for a New Year? Sometimes the idea of it scares me because I compare every year to the last and the one before that and I need to stop doing that. The best time for anything is now. Life is not to be looked back on with regrets or to relish in victories of the past. Start trying to love today and see the potential in now.
However, there is always time for reflection and this year has been a good year. It has come with unexpected events and fun memories. I have three kids and a wonderful husband and a wonderful Gospel and those are my greatest treasures. Sure, I am not the perfect wife or mother nor the most patient. But I continue to try and be patient with myself in the struggle of everything. And why does everything need to be such a struggle? It doesn’t.
Here is the update on how this year’s goals have gone.
Read the Book of Mormon as a family. Study and read the scriptures. I started off the year doing well. I would read the scriptures out loud to my kids, take notes, and ask questions. I would discuss the scriptures with my friends. And even though I only read through Alma in the Book of Mormon, I find myself pondering on the scriptures more. In Sunday School, we have been studying the Old Testament and it is fun seeing the connection between all the books of scriptures.
Get along with and love my family. I love my family. Do they drive me crazy sometimes? Yes. Do I ignore them and resort to escaping on the computer or another way? Yes. But do we have some great memories this year? Yes. So I feel like we are a success.
Go to the temple once a month. I have not been the strongest in going to the temple. But I have gone and am excited for the new temple being built in Provo, Utah which will be dedicated in 2015.
Run a 5k – Run. I failed.
Lose 35 pounds – I lost about 10. I have lost it and regained it a couple of times. Oops.
Invest in relationships with grandparents and great grandparents. We have been doing this. My kids know who their great grandparents are, they think of them, they pray for them, and they are so sweet to them. It is such a blessing to see them so happy to talk with and spend time with these special people. We have some pictures of them visiting my Grandma before she got sick, my other Grandma set up a Slip n’ Slide for them in her neighborhood park, and we were able to celebrate my Great Grandma’s 105th birthday this year.
Pay off debt and have savings. We have been able to stay out of debt this year. I attribute much of this to the blessing of me having a couple of cleaning jobs this year, a Christmas budget, and sticking to a cash grocery budget. Being out of debt has allowed us to give more and that has brought much joy.
Trade in car for SUV/minivan – This year, after four years, we went from being a one car family to being a two car family. We bought a 2004 Izuzu Rodeo. Our first priority was a vehicle we could take into the mountains. Not quite as roomy as a minivan but for our family, right now, it works.
Work on goals with my kids and husband. Work in progress. Sometimes I end up making goals on my own without telling anyone and then expecting everyone and everything to line up to my expectations. And no, this is not working for me. Working with my family, things might take a little longer but it beats the alternative of doing it on my own. They are my biggest cheerleaders.
And not on the list, but one of our biggest accomplishments this year was taking our family to Disneyland. We had it all paid for in March and we went to Disneyland December 22 and 23rd. It was magical and crazy busy and we cannot wait to go back.
I hope you all had a wonderful 2014 and will have an awesome 2015.
What have been some of your greatest accomplishments this year?
Family Handshake 