plans for 2009

Its difficult at the start of a new year NOT to think about the things I want to accomplish, change, do in the coming year. New years are one of life's natural fresh starts, and I LOVE fresh starts. So without getting too formal about it, there are a few things I intend to do this year:

I want to read more. I want to rest more (the real kind of rest, not "sit in front of the TV and veg" rest). I want to invest more in relationships (which will come easier if I'm well rested). I want to deep clean and organize my home before the baby comes. I want to relax more about the baby coming. Well, actually, I want to relax more in general. I want to continue taking good care of my teeth. I want to knit more (and this year start my Christmas gift knitting WAY before Thanksgiving), and maybe learn a couple techniques that I haven't yet tried. I want to grow my hair out. I want to be in the Word more, pray more, and be generally more connected to God. I want to create a usable budget, and use it. I want to grow closer to my husband as our life undergoes a huge overhaul. I want my working less and our expenses being higher somehow not to strain everyday living. I want to experiment more with cooking and serve something other than chicken and hot dogs and macaroni and cheese for dinner. I want to complain less and be thankful more. I want to declutter and minimize without sacrificing sentimentality. I want to visit David and Rachel in Washington and see my husband take a faith-stretching trip across the world. I want to visit the Elwoods in Colorado. I want to finish (well, and start) a photo album of our trip to Europe. I want to get back in the habit of exercising and eating well. I want to find a healthy balance between going out and staying in, working and resting, planning and spontaneity, time with others and time to myself. (I know, don't we all?) I want to be more of an encourager than I have been. I want to give more and take less, be about others and not myself.

Too much? Maybe these are life goals more than 2009 goals. But now is always a great time to start, and I find that simply writing down my goals helps me get started in accomplishing them.

Full, but not busy

Life hasn't been aimlessly busy lately, but there has been a lot going on ... and we're heading into an extremely full June! We're celebrating five birthdays (Julie, Rachel, me, Mom Dub, Dad Dub), Father's Day twice, and my sister-in-law's baby shower is this month. We're not sure how we're going to afford it all, let alone how we'll fit it all in! But its good stuff, happy stuff, and I love to celebrate the lives of those around me. Meanwhile, we're planning my sister's wedding and preparing for two backpacks in July. And we're still expected to be at work every day! And then before we know it we'll be fighting over who gets to hold the new baby just moments before we have to get our hair done for the wedding ...

But though the days are full, so is my heart, as I continue to be thankful for the myriad ways I have been blessed. For I truly am richly blessed.

(So please bear with me as my blog lags behind my life a bit!)