2010

I'm really not big into New Year's Resolutions, probably beacause I know myself and know that in the past there was a very slim chance that I'd stick to any resolutions. So the past few years I really haven't bothered to make any.

This year is different, though, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it is because 2009 was such a crazy year and I sometimes found myself lacking in so many areas, maybe it is because I feel like I'm juggling so many things on a daily basis that I need a list of things to really focus my energy and attention on, or maybe it is because now that I'm a mom to two I just want to be...better....for the sake of my kids.

Whatever the reason, this year I find myself with a list of resolutions that I hope I have the discipline to stick to and remember. So here goes.......

In 2010, I resolve to:


1. Eat more fruits and (especially) veggies. I was not very good about this in 2009. Poor Jake...it's amazing he's not one big chunk of fudge, because that's all he got from my breastmilk last year.

2. Excercise at least three days a week. I've done this for the past two weeks, and even though I am severely sleep deprived, there is still something about waking at 4:30am and doing something for yourself that makes you feel so good.

3. Speaking of sleep deprivation, I also resolve to stop dropping dozens of F-bombs when awakened in the middle of the night by my crying baby (he is an AWFUL sleeper these days). Even if it is the fifth or more time I've been ripped from sleep that night, there really is no excuse for that and I'm sure it isn't a pretty sight to see me stomping around our bedroom sounding like a big, burly truck driver.

4. Give up my nuerotic, anal retentive ways and realize that having a clean and uncluttered house is not as important as the time I spend teaching and nurturing my kids. Yes, it is important to have a healthy and safe place for my children to play, but that doesn't mean the baseboards need to be dusted on a daily basis or the cupboards organized regularly or even the laundry nicely folded. In 20 years, no one will remember how clean our house was, but they will notice if my babies grow up to be serial killers.

5. Read a book. A book not about parenting or child development or how to cook something. A real honest-to-goodness book that will hopefully spur some intellegent thinking on my part and work to improve the brain cell deficit I've developed since having kids. Yes, "pregnancy brain" and "new mom brain" does in fact exist. Google it. Plus, I'm sure I've gotta be losing brain cells through my breastmilk as well. If I don't act quickly, I won't have enough brain cells to blog about my resolutions in 2011....

6. Use cash. I am a horrible impulse buyer and have a severe shopping problem. I swipe my debit card without giving it a second thought and most of the time I never even look at the reciept to see how much I've spent. Awful, awful, awful. My kids need to go to college one day. Using cash is the only way I think I'll be able to control myself. Plus, finacial guru Suzie Orman wants us all to use cash to stick it to these awful banks and credit card companies. I'm all for that. Up yours, Wells Fargo and VISA!!

7. Most importantly, I resolve to put God first this year. This is probably the hardest of my resolutions, mainly because most days I feel like I'm doing barely enough to keep my children fed, clothed and my head above water. Having two under two is tough stuff and incredibly frustrating most days. I can barely go to the bathroom when I want to, so the thought of trying to read my Bible and spend time with God is overwhelming. But I do know that if I make Him a priority, He will give me the strength and ability to face each day, and He will continue to shape me into the mother He created me to be. And really, being the best mother I can be is the reason for these resolutions in the first place.

So here's to 2010 and making it the best year ever....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!