A Productive NewYear

I recently met with all of Vada's therapist for her sixth month review and we made different goals for Vada to work on and meet over the next six months. It got me thinking about New years and all of the broken resolutions that I have made for myself over the years. Personally, I kind of think the whole resolution thing is a bit over rated. However, making personal goals to better yourself is not, especially if you actually follow through! Over the next six month I know Vada will meet the goals that were made for her. I know it. I have no doubts. So why shouldn't I expect something more out of myself?

So here's my "resolutions", for my children, for my husband and for myself.

• Smile more-- those wrinkles are worth it!
• Exercise more-- Ill feel a ton better and set a healthy example for my family
• Snack less
• Stop giving dead end answers, so that I can carry on better conversations with others-- my social skills are lacking, to say the least. 
• Step out of my comfort zone
• Cook healthier meals and less pre-made, "just add" and or boxed meals
• Do a load of laundry everyday verses doing laundry all day for two days in a row
• Sit up straight-- I have terrible posture
• Do my daily devotions
• Limit my daily computer time
• Continue to pray with the girls each night
• Complain less and praise more
• Bite my tongue and choose my battles 
• Let my older daughters "duke it out" more often, verses always stepping in. They tend to figure things out and get along better when I don't get involved-- but its really hard not to.
• Make a scheduled monthly "date night" for Justin and I and then pay for a sitter on those nights so that it actually happens!
• Be better managed with my time/schedule (meals, shopping, groceries, cleaning, weekly schedules...)
• Do more crafting, by myself and with the girls
• Take my daily vitamin every day (with food!)
• Save money to go to Texas to see my parents, to go to Florida to see Winter the Dolphin and to go to the 2012 Down syndrome Conference-something that I have attempted to to for the last two years!
• Be grateful for today because soon it will be over and tomorrow we will all be older
• Learn more sign language
• Add to my vocabulary!

This last year has been full of trials but I can honestly say that it has also been the best year of my life! I am excited for what 2012 will bring but I cant help but wonder how it could possibly get any better than it already is!

Happy New Year family and friends. May God bless your lives richly!