{goals}

I've never been one for starting the new year with lofty resolutions.  It's like setting myself up for failure.  I could never diet, don't enjoy exercising enough and will probably never keep my room as clean as it should be...so, this year I'm going to make a few {goals}, measurable and hopefully obtainable.  And by writing them here for others to see, hopefully I'll feel more accountable, as well.  I read in a magazine once that resolutions should be quantifiable, not general.  Alas, my written goals for 2012 won't include "be more patient," or "be a better mom, wife, friend, etc.", although these are things that I pray for each day.  Instead I've come up with a few things that I really hope to accomplish this year and can report back on when I do.  How's that for positive thinking?

Goal #1 : Save more, spend less.  More specifically, I am going to attempt going on a spending fast...nothing too dramatic, my children do need clothes of course, but I am not going to buy anything new for myself for the next six months.  No shirts, no shoes, no belts or bathing suits.  This is going to hurt.  My finish line will be the sale of all sales, the Nordstrom Anniversary sale in July, just in time for a little birthday shopping spree :)  For those of you who know me at all, you know this is a fairly lofty goal.  I'm not much of a saver and I love to shop.  But there are things we want to do and I know beefing up the savings account will help our family achieve some of these. 

Goal #1 b:  Contribute more to my 401K.  This is one area of savings where I used to excel at...saving the maximum percentage allowed from the time I was 22.  However, once I stopped working this account stopped growing.  So, in 2012 I am going to increase the amount that goes into my retirement fund.  I'd like to enjoy my old age...preferably on a beach somewhere exotic, or at a vineyard in France.  What can I say, I am a dreamer.

Goal #2 : Read a book a month.  Behind shopping, reading is probably my most favorite past time.  I love loosing myself in a good book, exploring a new world and getting to know new characters.  Since having children, my free time has been reduced and reading for pleasure is one of the things that has suffered the most.  I've picked it up again in the last several months and have loved every minute of it.  Hopefully with this goal, I'll be more intentional about my free time.

Goal # 3 : Read the bible.  I've never actually read the bible in its entirety and I'd really like to. 

Goal # 4 : Take the kids to Disneyland.  Is it cheating if this goal is already in the works?  I think I've been planning this trip in my mind since the day Carter was born.  Kyle has made me wait, insisting everyone will have a better time if the kids are a little older.  I know he's right.  But this is the year, and we are all so excited.  Working to make our October trip to the "Happiest Place on Earth" the best it can be is definitely a priority!

Goal #5 :  Bake a cake from scratch.  Frosting too.

Well, I think that should do it.  I may be over reaching a bit, but I'm feeling good about my chances.