Resolute 2016

I feel like every six months or so I go through this love/hate relationship with blogging.  (Maybe this past year it's been every other month.)  But I still keep going because I tell myself it's good for me.  And my family.  Because SOMEDAY this is all going to get printed in a book, right?  (Right?!)  I never thought I'd be a chronological blogger, but somehow with little kids it makes sense in my life right now.  So (as if you, the reader, are so excited) I will briefly summarize the past several months in a future blog post.  But not right now.

I decided this year I wasn't going to make goals.  Okay, that's a lie.  I was going to make ONE goal...and that was simply to survive.  Life hasn't exactly been all peaches and cream lately, and I think I have been more tempted to take a pessimistic approach than necessary, but I guess maybe my heart has changed a little bit and I've realized that goal setting, like blogging, is probably good for me too.

I went back to check my goals for 2015 and I couldn't find any!  I think I remember now saying that I was just going to continue with my goals from 2014 (I guess I could go check but either way it probably doesn't matter at this point...)  So I guess I'm starting pretty much scratch for this year!

(1) Increase my Temple Attendance

I have been doing Initiatories at least once a month for the last year.  I have come to love it.  It is like a little haven I escape to.  Plus I always go at the same time so I'm getting to know the temple workers who are there at that same time every week!  My goal is to go even more, when possible.  I love the temple.

(2) Friday movie night with the kiddos

This will be an easy one.  We started this tradition just after Christmas when we received Inside Out.  I hadn't seen it yet so I declared Family Movie Night.  Popcorn and everything.  Over the last month the kids have come to anticipate and love it.  While Boy still can't sit still for longer than twenty minutes, I know he still enjoys it.  And I never knew Bean could put away so much popcorn.  Our lives will change once the weather improves, but for the time being, Friday evening is becoming a very important event in our home.

(3) Take a cooking class with S

I hope he still reads this blog.  We've always talked about doing this.  And recently I've developed a, um, passion (?) for cooking.  I think I finally realized that eating is something my family has to do every day and as long as I'm in the kitchen I might as well learn to enjoy it.  That and I've conquered some of my biggest cooking mysteries lately which has really lit a fire in me.  So, yes.  Cooking school date night.  Best part is I'm sure there will be eating, too.

(4) Read 50 books

I love reading.  I hate that my days are over before I get to cuddle up with a book.  And I hate that reading is a surefire way to get me to fall asleep.  That said, I've mastered reading while I'm walking on the treadmill so that's a definite way to get my book time in.

(5) Go on a camping trip with my family that lasts longer than one night

Circumstances last year made it so we couldn't really go anywhere for longer than a few days.  We are hoping that it will be different this year.  S has almost all of July off which is awesome.  I guess this classifies more as a family goal, but I'm putting it here anyway.

(6) Craft Room Project Zero

This is where I swear I made goals last year because I am sure I've typed these exact words before.  So forgive me if this is a repeat.  I have accumulated So Much Stuff to do and so I have firmly banned myself from buying any more until I get what I have under control.  The fact that I have recently allowed Bean and Boy access to my craft room for their own artistic endeavors makes this goal quite the feat.  (By the way, I opened up my own personal haven to the little monkeys because I realized I kind of like having them around me.  Plus Bean's room has been much, much cleaner since she moved all of her art projects down to the craft lair.)  Anyway, I should really remember to take a Before picture so there can be in impressive After picture at the end of 2016!

(7)  The Year of Canning

I took a quick mini-course on canning from my in-laws last October and overcame a few fears I've had about the process.  Plus I have received the majority of what I need to start as presents.  Last year I was bummed because the deer ate all of our tomatoes.  This year I've promised myself that, even if that happens again, I am just going to buy some at the farmer's market.  Food preservation is a little more mainstream than it was a few years ago.  But I grew up with a mom who canned everything and I want so badly to carry on the tradition.  Fingers crossed.

Seven goals is good for me.  I'm not including any goals involving running.  The story is a little more involved, but right now I'm just going to focus on doing what I can do and hopefully circumstances will allow me to return to my running ways in the near future!  Happy Belated New Year!