Resolutions.?

I have never actually made a New Year's Resolution. However, I am really good at thinking about what my resolutions should be. I think of all the things that would be great to change or do, I ponder them over for a few weeks and then get bored of it and never actually carry them out in any way shape or form. Here are some of my ideas that I have been thinking about.

1. Say 'Yes' to my kids and husband more, and say 'No' to everyone else. I am a finisher, and can't rest until everything is finished. But really, nothing is every finished. So I will try to forget about the laundry and say yes to the boys when they ask me to play star wars with them. On Christmas night, after the kids went to bed, I decided to put all the Christmas decorations away. I just can't stand to have them up anymore and I start to get itchy about it. Jason asked me to wait until the morning, but no... I had to do it, which was stupid, so I will try to listen to him (at least once in a while).  I keep getting questions and pleas for help from my old job, I am sticking to my guns and saying 'No' to that.

2. Stop watching mindless (or any) TV late at night, and download some good books on my Ipad. I just started 'The Art of Fielding'. Pretty good so far.

3. Decide on a method for chores and/or allowance for the kids. It is time to instill some bigger responsibilities for the older two. I am thinking of giving them an allowance that they get no matter what, that will not be tied to chores. However, we will continue to expect them to clean their room every day and add on some additional daily things that they have to do. Allowance will serve as a money and savings lesson for them. I really need to make a plan for this one, I keep catching Jayden throwing his trash on the floor in the house. I find candy wrappers or capri-suns on floor and I know he is the culprit. I think sometimes I just pick it up and don't even discipline him because I am too tired. Hello??? Wake up! Time to teach this kid to put his trash in the trash!

4. Get back into my yoga classes. Because I need to do something for me, and I know that keeps me sane.

Maybe now that I have written these out, I will follow through - or not.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I am looking forward to an awesome 2012!

It's me, and yes I am blogging.

I have been thinking about starting this blog for awhile. I just have not had the time to sit down and get it started. I am forced to listen to a 2 hour training on US Export Controls so I decided it would be the perfect time to listen to this required training and figure out how to start this blog. I really don't plan on exporting anything to Pakistan so I don't think I need to give it my full attention. If I wind up in jail someday, everyone who read this post will be saying "She really should have listened to that international traffic in arms regulation training" instead of figuring out how to start a blog.

The purpose of this blog is going to be to serve as a gratitude journal of sorts for myself. My life is so busy and I am hanging on by a string on pretty much a daily basis. I have come to the conclusion lately that I have been thinking about this all wrong. I keep waiting (and working) for something to happen: to graduate, to pass that test, to get married, to have kids, to get through that day, week, month or even year, to advance in my career and the list goes on and on. Lately, I have been wondering if my drive has been all wrong. In my head, it is always about getting through it and finishing. Although those have been important events and milestones in my life -My total life is really about the ordinary events on a daily basis. I need to take some time and appreciate those ordinary moments, not just get through them.

That's my plan, love it or leave it!