Goals for 2012

I love making lists, I love setting goals, and I love having things to look forward to. Every January, I vow to come up with a new years resolution. This has 99% of the time always involved weight loss. And it has 99% of the time NOT happened. So this year, my plan is a little different. I'm not setting one goal, but rather a list of several, broken down by category...A friend on facebook posted an article on things that successful people do differently, and I really, really liked it. It got me thinking... It talked about how succesful people set S.M.A.R.T. goals (that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant & Timely.) And here were some key points that stuck with me:
"The acquisition of knowledge doesn't mean you're growing. Growing happens when what you know changes how you live." Powerful stuff! I love this...
*And my favorite tips were:
~ Focus on being PRODUCTIVE, not busy. There's a BIG difference, and let's be honest, I can tend to always be busy, but not really productive.
~ Focus on making small, continuous improvements.
~ Maintaining a positive outlook as you learn from your mistakes.
~ Spend time with the RIGHT people (So true...you tend to become like those you spend most of your time with...which reminds me of one of my mother's constant reminders growing up: "Birds of a feather flock together." I hated always hearing that as a teenager, but how true she was =}
~ Maintain balance in your life.

So here goes, my personal list of goals for 2012:
PERSONAL:
-Become the most positive person I know
-Spend more quality time with my husband (this is hard with kids, but a must!)
-Read at least 1 book per month
-Run a 10K
-Lose another 20-25 lbs/continue eating healther through the week
-Make at least 1 craft/idea from Pinterest per month (not because I have to but because I WANT to)
-Do something significantly nice for someone else every month
-Plan at least 2-3 outings/fun time with friends per month (this is healthy for ME!)

PARENTAL:
-Kids in bed by 7:45-8:00 every night so we have more time for each other
-Jackson: Recognize AND recite all letters and sounds in random order, Learn 10 sight words, Count to 20 as well as recognize numbers to 10 (big difference just reciting vs. actually identifying, and not in order)
-Continue reading daily to both kids
-One activity per week for each kid that is one-on-one with me
-Have FUN making memories with my kids =}

SPIRITUAL:
- 30 minutes per day set aside for reading the bible/and or other literature that will strengthen my relationship with GOD
-Mealtime prayer/bedtime prayer for kids
-Continue Biblical Wowmanhood and small group

Now lets put this plan into action, and please, friends, hold me accountable!!!

My Baby Girl

So anyone that really knows me knows 2 things:

1. My biggest dream was to be a mom. After dealing with heartache, loss and a lot of ups and downs prior to becomming a mom, the day I finally held my baby boy in my arms was THE best day of my life. I vowed to be the best mom ever, or MY persoanl best anyway, whatever that might be. And what a joy it has been!

2. I needed a baby girl at some point in my life. I think God just knew this, and He gave me the desire of my heart in my sweet Kinley Morgan. My little princess....born on her own will on the 4th of July; my little firecracker. I was supposed to induce early but at the last minute decided that didn't feel right, and I'm so glad I didn't. I think she knew she was supposed to come on the 4th, with a bang. She is (along with her adorable big brother) the light of my life. And what fun it has been having a GIRL! I couldn't believe for the longest time that I was actually having a girl. The tutus, bows, the frills, ruffles, sparkles, jewelry and PINK! Oh I am in heaven. Now let's just hope she isn't a tom-boy. Of course that would be okay - I want her to be 'her' whatever that entails, but I seriously doubt I'll give her any chance of hating girly things =} Anyway, I love you Kinley Morgan...

Better Late Than Never

Wow! It has been a LOOOONG time since I've blogged. I won't spare you all the wonderful details that life has delt us in the past year and a half since I've posted. Let's just say things are wonderful...life is good....we are blessed beyond measure. We are happliy married, we have two beautiful children who mean everything to us, and we have a pretty awesome extended family. A few biggies that happened in the past year: We sold our house in Driftwood and moved to Round Rock. Patrick took a new job with Samsung that he loves. Our precious Kinley was born on the fourth of July, and Jackson turned 2 in August....never a dull moment around our house, and I wouldn't want it any other way =} I promise this time I will stick around. I want to document all the sweet moments of our life, well mostly our childrens lives, so the memories are forever in print.