At the end of each year, I like to think of things I'd like to accomplish in the new year. Last year, my one goal was to be better. I wanted to be a better partner for KT, Anna Belle for our boys, daughter, sister, and friend. I wanted to be better in my relationship with Christ and work harder at my job. I wanted to do better with my fitness and become more consistent. In most of those areas, I did do better, but in some, I did worse.
As I was reflecting on this past year, I thought of all the things that happened in 2012, chiefly, my marriage to KT. 2012 was a big year for us in more ways than one. In addition to getting engaged and married, we both had changes in our jobs: a great promotion for KT and a new, awesome job for me. The boys both thrived in school and their activities. We had one great year.
Looking forward to this year, 2013, there is a three-word phrase I want to use:
Soak It In.
I wrote a post a few weeks ago about soaking it in and cutting out some of the busyness in my life. Writing that post and reflecting over 2012 has caused me to adopt this as my personal theme for the year.
This year, I'd like to:
Soak In Faith
- KT and I are planning to read the Bible through this year using a chronological, one-year Bible. I attempted to do this before, but let's just say I didn't make it to the spring. I think it's so important to read God's Word and pray together as a married couple and I'm excited we're doing this.
- I want to pray daily. I'll be the first to tell you that I don't always take the time I need to pray. I whisper little prayers throughout the day asking God to be with my husband, our kids, and families, asking for guidance on a decision, to help me get through this run, and to help us have a good night at home, but I don't take the concentrated time I want and need to take talking to my Saviour each day. KT gave me some new journals (I like to write my prayers.) for Christmas that I can't wait to start using.
- I want to go to Sunday School regularly. I enjoy morning worship and having my own devotions each day, but I really think being involved in a group with other people, listening, and discussing things is so important.
- Continue reading Bible stories with the boys each night. We gave each of the boys a "big boy" Bible for Christmas. One of those was the Jesus Storybook Bible. If you have young kids (or even if you don't), you need to get this. It's the most beautifully written and illustrated Bible I've seen. We started in the beginning when we got home from the beach and I've just enjoyed reading it with them each night.
- I want to make a Bible verse memory book. I saw this on a blog and pinned it. I really want to make one for myself.
Soak In Relationships
- I want to soak in my time with my husband. I want to grow as a wife and be the best one that I can be for Kevin. I am so blessed to call him my husband. I try to make a conscience effort to show him love daily and not just by saying "I love you." I want to continue to do that, improve, and find other ways to show him how much he's needed and loved. I want to make sure I am intentional about spending quality time with him each day. I don't think there's much that can make a marriage stronger than by carving out quality time for each other.
- I want to soak in my time with the boys. Getting to be their Anna Belle is not something that I take for granted. It's a huge blessing. They're a huge blessing. I love playing with them, watching them grow, working on homework, and snuggling with them. I want to soak this in even more this year.
- I want to soak in time with my family and friends. I want to take the time to spend with those I love and indulge in things we all like to do. I want to ride horses with my dad this year. My family has horses and I haven't ever been much of a rider and it's something that I want to learn to do to spend quality time with my dad.
Soak In Fitness
- I want to run a race each month.
- I want to run a 5K in less than 21 minutes. (I accomplished this yesterday with a 20:54 5K!0
- Complete the 100 Burpee Challenge with KT. (April 10 will be Day 100!)
- I want to have better abs by this summer.
- I want to run 750 miles.
- I want to workout at the gym 140 times.
Soak In Fun
- Take fun family vacations to the beach.
- Take the boys to a Clemson game.
- Go to the mountains.
- Take a trip with KT even if it's only for a long weekend.
- Have one fun date a month.
What else?
- Read at least one book each month. This doesn't sound like much, but reading one book a month will be an accomplishment for me. I love to read and don't do it often (unless you want to count children's books). I'm not one of these wives or mom's that comes in and sits down to read at night. I prefer spending quality time with my family and building memories.
- Eat out less. We have a tendency to eat out more than we should. A lot of that is my fault. It's a lot easier to pick up something for dinner on the way home or go out to eat, but it's not better and it's not healthier. We also eat dinner as a family, which I love, but I'd prefer for us to eat more dinners I've cooked. I love to cook, too, so this year, I want to spend more time in the kitchen (I bet you haven't heard someone say that!) and less time in the drive thru.
- Finish our books. I want to finish our 2012 family book by March, Kaden's 3rd year book by his birthday in April, and K.C.'s 5th year book by his birthday in July.
- Capture memories. Make a special jar to use to fill with happy memories and good times we have during this year to open on New Year's Eve 2013.
- Decorate our house. There are a few things we want to decorate and organize this year around our house.
- Stress less and not think so much. I have a tendency to think too much and analyze things. I think about whether we should do this or that, plan things outs, and get worried about things that aren't a cause for worry. I know myself and my family and I don't need to create worries.
Labels: books, boys, exercise, faith, family, projects, running, soak it in
