Ok, so maybe I have a few...

resolutions, that is.

But I'm still not calling them resolutions. They are still goals in my book *wink* And I reserve the right to change and/or add as I please...

Brad and I spent last week praying and fasting. We wanted to start the year by asking the Lord what HE wanted for our year.

I am excited for this year. I feel we are going to dive even more into worship ministry and loving people.

I feel the Lord wants me to keep my schedule rather open (meaning no new small groups or on-going commitments) so that I can keep my focus on our family. Brad has some opportunities to travel this year. He has always had a couple of trips a year, but it seems there will be a few more this year. It's something we're both excited about, and I want our kids to be as well. I'm doing my best to teach them that our role is to send Daddy off with joy and excitement about all that God is doing through him. (And then receive him with much excitement as well!!)

Along with some of these "big" ideas, we have some tangible goals for ourselves as individuals, as a couple and as a family.

One of my individual goals is to work on our grocery budget. The couponing/sales shopping/stockpiling thing is something I've wanted to get a handle on for a couple of years. I've tried a couple of different methods in the past, without success. I'm so excited for it that I've considered starting a blog just to document my journey. Let me know if that's something you might be interested in reading.

We are also going to be more deliberate about a dedicated family night each week. We normally do our devotions with the kids at the breakfast table, and we're going to continue that. But we were both desiring more time to play, worship and teach our children. We are going to rotate weeks. Every other week will be directed by Mommy and Daddy, meaning worship time and a teaching or activity. The off weeks will be assigned to the kids. They will take turns planning the meal and activity.

We had our first worship time this week. It was so fun to be together as a family, worshipping in our living room. It's something we just haven't done enough of. After worship, we sat and talked through our goals for the year. Brad and I shared some of ours and then each child shared one or two goals. They are sweet goals, like limiting time on the Wii, more prayer and Bible time, being kind and sharing toys.

I am excited for new beginnings and building on lessons we've learned. It's going to be a great year!

What My Calendar Says

I sat down earlier this week to transfer all of my important-to-remember days (birthdays, anniversaries, etc) from my 2010 calendar to my new one.

As I was looking back on January, February, March...I found myself a little teary.

Those days were quite busy (as most are), but they were busy with "Ethan and Owen over", "lunch with Aimee and Maria", "Ross and Aimee leave", "Brent and Maria leave". Ugh.

For those of you who are somewhat new around here, or don't know me "in real life"...those are the names of our family members who moved away earlier this year. It was very hard, and still is on some days.

Then, as I moved to May, June, July...I was smiling.

Those days were "Last day of school", "Elitch's", "11-mile canyon". Ahhh.

Our summer was fun. And busy (of course). But really fun.

Then, as I looked through October, November...my heart was full and happy.

They listed "extra choir rehearsal", "album recording", "leave for California to visit Grandma and Grandpa". Then, "surgery" and "surgery recovery".

Those days were full of ministry. Of God doing His work through us and through all these amazing people involved in ministry with us.

Then it was my surgery and learning to accept help from those around us. Learning to slow down a bit. Taking time to rest and love and appreciate this life I get to live.

As I wrapped up my "dates transfer", I found myself emotional and a bit sad at the thought of saying goodbye to 2010. It was a year of such growth and love and new experiences. I am so thankful.

As I prepared myself to look ahead, I realized it's not the dates or the events that I was missing. It's the people. It's the relationships that I am thankful for.

And they are still present now! They don't necessarily look the same as they did last year. But that is life. Change and growth. And choosing to look ahead instead of back. I am choosing to take the lessons learned, the relationships that were strenghtened and the blessings enjoyed and use those things to move forward.

I AM looking foward to this year...and all the lessons I will learn, the relationships that will be strengthened, the blessings we will enjoy and all the great things I know God has in store!! Happy New Year!

My Anti-Resolution Post

I don't make resolutions. I don't like them. I don't like the pressure. And, I think it's silly if we only think about growth once a year.

I do love growth. I love goals. I love being moldable and changing.

This week, the first week of the year, our family is setting aside extra time. Time for prayer and worship. Time to hear His voice. Time to hear His resolutions for our lives.

I am excited!