Happy 2013!

Happy New Year! I hope 2013 find everyone well. Yes, it's that time again, time for resolutions. I made quite a few last year, and actually followed through on some of them! So here I am making some again. Bare with me, I hope this will be short.

1. Read more, both to my kids and for myself
This is supposed to be a blog about reading to my kids. Somehow we've gotten away from as much reading as we used to do. I want to get back to reading 10 or 20 books in a day. So I resolve to read more to my kids. I also resolve to read more myself. I go through spurts of devouring books, and then I hit a book I consider a dud, and my e-reader languishes on my bedside table. I need to correct that.

2. Be more patient
Not sure what my game plan is for this one, other than deep breaths, trying to change my POV, making sure I'm as rested as I can be (and realizing when I'm not) and prayer. I've made strides in the past year, but I definitely need more work.

3. Blog more
I don't know if anyone reads this blog, but at some point in my life, I used to enjoy writing. I think this blog will help me get that enjoyment back.

4. Learn how to use my camera
I have a DSLR, and it's about time I figured out how to use it in something other than auto mode. I have no grand illusions of becoming a photographer, or investing in lighting equipment, but I want to be able to use it to its capacity, because what is the point in owning a DSLR otherwise?

Last, but not least, 5. Make a pie crust from scratch
This is probably the third or fourth year for me to put this on my resolution list, and admittedly, there are years I never even attempt this. I am intimidated when it comes to dough that needs to be rolled out. Maybe this year I will face that fear.

Yes, this list does not contain anything in regards to eating better, exercising more, or losing weight. As I'm expecting a baby in May, I'm giving myself until next year to worry about that. I know that I don't want to be stressing myself out about my body when I'm sleep deprived and dealing with a newborn.

Welcome 2013! I'm looking forward to seeing what you hold in store! Now I'm off to go read.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, indeed! 2012. If you believe the Mayans, the world either ends in less than 12 months, or we're headed for the age of Aquarius. Either way, we better make this year count! But that could really be said of any year, now couldn't it?

The new year always brings resolutions. Last year, I was 9 months pregnant so I didn't really make any, other than to have a baby. That one would have been difficult not to keep. This year I am game to try my hand at some, so I'll share them with you.

First, and most importantly, I am going to try to be a more patient person. This is especially true when it comes to my children. They deserve a more patient mama. My husband deserves a more patient wife. There are several steps that will go into this, probably each one could be considered a resolution of its own.
- I have to try to look at things through a child's eyes more often. It's too easy for me to be wrapped up in what I want and need and expect to my kids to conform to that 100% of the time. I need to be a bit more understanding that they don't understand, and step back to look at things from their perspective.
- I'm going to get more sleep. Sleep recharges my patience supply. With a 2 year old and a baby, I've been pretty sleep deprived for the last year. I need to make changes to my daily routine to accomplish this, as well help little Pink Butterfly learn to sleep better on her own.
- I'm going to take better care of myself. I'm purposely leaving this one vague. I'm not setting a weight loss or exercise goal, I'm just telling myself that I need to make opporunites to get more exercise, eat better, drink more water, etc.

-Organize and declutter my house. The disorder in this house despresses me and makes me anxious. It's not to the point where A&E is going to show up at my door with a camera crew, but it would be nice to have more usable counter space, room in closets, or play area for the kids.

My other resolutions pale in comparison of importance to that one, but I've made some just the same. They are more along the lines of personal development and growth. For the past two years, I've set an unoffcial goal to read a book a month, or 12 books total for the year. I've surpassed this both years, so this year I'm going to go ahead and set a goal of 25 books. I've also had a DSLR Nikon camera for two years now and 99.9% of the time, I have it on auto. I need to learn how to use my camera. Hopefully I'll be able to take some awesome pictures of the dawn of the new era, or next Christmas at the very least.

Lastly, I have goals for this blog, too. I want to improve it, make it more visually appealing, increase my readership, do more with it, post more. So I intend to post at least 3 new posts a week, 2 book posts and one general post. I hope to post more than that, but that is my starting point. Maybe I'll even work up the courage to do a give away or get this blog it's own Facebook page.

So now I have set my resolutions out for the world to see. Let's see if that improves my accountability.