Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015. Like everyone else, January automatically makes me do the "life inventory." It's time to take stock of how the previous year went, and naturally following that are the changes, improvements, goals and dreaded resolutions for this shiny brand new year. Oh, and the planner...because you have to start the new year with a planner..it's an unspoken rule. It doesn't matter that it will more than likely see maybe a month of use and then it will find itself in the "planner graveyard" next to 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The things that immediately come to mind for 2015 (in no particular order) are:
House projects: We bought our house a hair over a year ago, and we have lots of little (and not so little) projects that we would like to work on, which is exciting because one of those projects is hopefully to turn one of the guest bedrooms into a nursery :) Which leads me to our next "goal"
Starting a family: Can't wait to add to our "party of two." As much as I love our family exactly like it is, me, Chase and our two hairy children, I can't wait to add a mini us to the mix. Family is hands down the most important thing in the world to me. I love everything about it, the traditions, the stability, the instability at times, the comfort and the craziness. I also love that God-willing I will get to be the one to hug away the little and big life crises that arise, kiss the bruises, hunt for ants and do all the other amazing "mom jobs." Seriously....can't. wait.
Worry less/Take things in stride: Hi, my name is Amanda Thornton and I am a researching, planning worry wart! This has been in my "life inventory" for as long as I have had a running inventory! As my parents and now Chase can tell you, I don't sail through change very smoothly, I go kicking and screaming and only after boat loads of Internet research. As much as I would love to sit here and say "carpe diem!" and "let's take on the world!" like the pinterest approved free-spirit model we see everywhere, if I am entirely honest with myself and you, these declarations would be closer to "change is overrated" and "OK so whats happening 6 months from now, surprises aren't my thing" :) Seriously people, the struggle is real. Which is why I am blessed to have a husband who is constantly pushing me out of my bubble and making me challenge myself. I really like him in case you were wondering..
Become less of a sailor: I like to swear, there it is. I feel like certain things just do a better job of expressing emotions and unfortunately these words usually all have 4 foul letters. I'm working on it, that's all I am going to say about that shit....just kidding..but not really..it's a goal..I'm working on it...mom..
Get to a better financial place: I would really like to get to a place in our finances where we are putting money away regularly and with more vigor. This one is the hardest I feel like, especially when you're trying to do house projects, but I believe it's doable, with some dedication and teeth gritting.
I said no particular order, but this is the last and most important goal to me, and it's to Stay present in my marriage and my relationship with Chase: The hardest balance is being in a solid, stable, comfortable relationship and making sure you still "see" that person. The thing that's right there in front of you all the time, is usually the thing that you eventually stop seeing. This is how I feel anways. I don't ever want to get to a place in my marriage where we forget to stop and say "I love you," or "Thank you," or even "You are so damn handsome." Of course you still think these things, but saying them is entirely different. I can't see a day when I am not in awe of how completely Chase loves and takes care of our little family, but I can foresee a day when I forget to make it a point of telling him, and thats why we do the inventory, to remind ourselves of whats important.
Well that's it for me, there are surely other things that I will dutifely log into my new planner under the header "goals" but these are the ones that really stick out to me. What are your goals? Advice for getting and staying out of your comfort zone?
May this year be full of the things that make your toes curl and your smile wide.
A.