New Year Resolution

If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.
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We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
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"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiousity keeps leading us down new paths."

-Walt Disney

Have you ever felt that the Lord looks down on your resolve to gain something and is like, "Oh, you want to do/learn/gain that. Let me help you out with that." I kind of feel like that is what happened this past year. This year was indeed one full of changes, most of them included some serious growing pains.

As a quick recap, my goals were to gain gratitude, become a more involved parent, and becoming better at recording personal history.

Gratitude. Man, oh man do I have some serious gratitude for this past year. I did not keep a journal tracking everything or a jar as I originally planned to do (I'm afraid life got in the way of that. As many of you know, we moved to back to Utah because Jeremy got an amazing opportunity. Taking said opportunity included some serious sacrifice and faith. I could go on and on about the blessings that flowed from heaven this past year. Nothing like sacrifice and blessings to make you grateful. 

Become a more involved parent. This was taken care of by the above, really. Jeremy worked a lot more which meant I really had no choice but to become a more involved parent. The kids and I had mini adventures, I tried to focus a little more on them and a little less on them being entertained. Did I do everything perfect? No (accompanied with uncontrollable laughter) but I tried. I think honestly, when it comes down to it, its all about trying as parent. We can't do much more. 

Recording personal history. Its has been awesome! I have finished 2.75 'books' (I am having 2 of them printed up this next week. Yay for 50% off!) I have also started journals for both my kids (I find it easier to write to my kids than write down what i did in any given day. Guess I need funnel to direct my thoughts. lol)

When I started thinking about my goals for this year two words came to mind. The first word, survive, wasn't very helpful for picking goals. I mean it happens pretty naturally (at least I hope) but then focus came to mind. I had no idea how I was suppose to implement it but then I tried and exercise Jeremy recommended, and it helped clear my mind and help me decide what to give priority to this year. I came up with these goals: 

#1. Give more focus to the spiritual. My plan is on top of FHE and family scripture study we are going added a monthly family 'interview' where we will access needs and discuss any problems that are occurring (Jeremy works like 16 hour days and sees the kids maybe 30 min a day except weekends, I really want him to stay involved with the kids) I also need to prioritize scripture study for myself, and when it boils down to it this is what this is really all about. I need to the extra calm that comes from scripture study. 

#2. Financial Goal. I am not publicly sharing any numbers but Jeremy and I have talked this over extensively and it is my hope is that at the end of this year, possibly the beginning of the next we will be able to reach this goal in its entirety.

#3. Learn to take good photos. I took photography in high school. Back then it was with film and I learned how to process the film and everything. I loved every minute of it. I continued doing it even after my family moved and the new school didn't offer classes, but after moving from home I no longer had access to a camera that do the things that my old camera did. So each year for Christmas a camera was always at the top of our list, this year that is what Jeremy got for me. So, to say I'm pretty excited about this would be a gross under exaggeration. 

I am going to participate in the 52 week project on Paint the Moon. (The prompt are actually give on fb but the link is a synopsis of how it works) I will most likely post the pictures on the blog.

Anyways, wish me luck :)

If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/gailsheehy161346.html#0g4e7UPcCg9wM7pZ.99

If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/gailsheehy161346.html#0g4e7UPcCg9wM7pZ.99

If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/g/gailsheehy161346.html#0g4e7UPcCg9wM7pZ.99

To see previous resolutions see here: 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010