Goals for 30 // 2015

I turned THIRTY today.  Gracious!  I texted my twin cousin (yes, that’s a thing!), Lauren, last night because I knew she could relate – we just can’t believe that we’re 30.  I was at the gym last night working out beside some high school girls and all I could think about was how young they looked.  #jealous  But more than that, I was thankful that the things that drive me and that I care about, are far more valuable than what I cared about when I was in high school.  Aging has it’s physical downfalls, but praise the Lord for these years I’ve had on earth. (I do realize 30 isn’t “old,” but entering a new decade does feel significant!) And praise Him for all that He has blessed me with in my 30 years!!!

I couldn’t imagine a better husband, son, family, or friends.  We have a nice house to live in, cars to drive, the means to buy and cook healthy food, we both have wonderful families and parents who are still married, siblings who love the Lord, amazing friends, truly great friends, we are involved in an amazing church, and so on and so on.

When my birthday comes, the New Year is right there with it.  I can’t go through my birthday without thinking about goals I want to set, and changes I want to make in my life.  Having a time to reflect not only on the past calendar year, but also the last year of my twenties, is a good learning process.

I’ve written down some goals/resolutions that I want to have as a priority this year.  I am not trying to hold myself to any unrealistic standards, though!

This is a very personal post. Just wanted to give fair warning! Feel free to skip this one.

Here are some thoughts….

• Grow closer to Jesus.  Yes, I know, this is so cliche.  But in all honesty, if I hadn’t been able to lean on Jesus in the hard moments, I’d crash.  I am thankful for His unfailing love and the peace and joy offered through my relationship with Him.  I want more of that this year.  More prayer, more scripture in my heart, more worship, more trusting God’s promises.
• Keep learning how to be a more loving and effective mom.  Read books on parenting, specifically the couple that my mother-in-law has given me.  Ask for other moms’ advice, then take it.  Be gentle and understanding with Davis.
• Be a better daughter.  I want to make sure our parents feel like they can rely on us just as much as we can rely on them.  My parents are there for us, always, and I want to be that way for them.
• Apologize first.  Todd typically does, and I KNOW this would make me a better wife.  Pride just does not have a place in marriage, so I want to be the one to let things go more easily, and also be the first to say “I’m sorry.”
• Decide what I want to be when I grow up.  Really, just come to a focus with my business and blog.  Blog more, bake less?  Bake more, blog less?  Offer more tutorials and sweets recipes? Ship macarons?  Need to narrow this down and FOCUS.

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• Enroll Davis in preschool.  This would be very part-time, but I’m hoping to get him started in the Fall.  I think it would be great for all of us.
• Stay healthy.  Eating habits aren’t a struggle for me, because healthy food is a huge passion of mine.  I am doing a structured eating plan in January, possibly February – more to come soon.  But I do need to kick it back into higher gear with workouts.  4 times/month is not going to cut it!
• Post Bible verses on our refrigerator regularly.  Scripture memory is not my strength, but this would help.  And who can’t use a present reminder of God’s truth?
• See the chiropractor more.  Trying to fix some hormonal issues, and this has helped in the past!
• Have another baby, or at least try.  Woah, I can hardly handle to type that one.  If you missed it, this post has a brief version of our story about infertility and two miscarriages.  This year I want to continue pursuing fertility treatments (both medical and holistic) while we can, then possibly look into adoption.  I want to face these decisions and treatments with confidence backed by faith, and not back down because of fear.

• Try not to sweat the small stuff.  Having a feisty, strong-willed (and currently-cutting molars) two year old boy is most likely going to royally kick my tail this year!  I am praying I can discipline well, without being too nit-picky.  I want to be less frustrated, a better teacher, and more loving.  I want Davis to grow up knowing he can always come to me and count on me, no matter what.  (and just fyi, I do think he is the best thing ever and love him to pieces!)
• Put more effort and creativity into my blog posts, and also hire someone to give my site a makeover.
• Plan and do more family activities.  Now that Davis is old enough to enjoy and understand more, I want to take him places and explore as a family.
• Join a CSA (community supported agriculture) group and pay for local, organic, sustainable produce to have each week or month.
• Add more variety to my cooking skills. I cook all.the.time.  But I want to use different techniques and ingredients and grow my palette and skill set.
• Make Kenan more of a priority.  As most people know, when you have a kid, the dog usually gets a little neglected.  I really want to be better about routine walks.  Yes he runs around and plays outside, and we do take him for walks, but I need to do so on a more regular basis. He’s starting to age, and I just want him to be healthy and happy.
• Todd and I were better about date nights this past year, but can I be selfish and make it a goal to want even more?  One night out/month and at least one scheduled date night in.  That’s not all on him – it’s my job to make it a priority as well.

 

this counts, right?!? 

• Take more pictures with my real camera.  I’m okay at this, but I want to use it more often.
• Spend a little more on items I love, and buy fewer things.  I started doing this later in the year, and it certainly adds value to what I buy for my closet and my home.

• Go on a trip somewhere.  Not sure where, or when, but definitely travel.  Todd and I went to NYC for a long weekend in the Fall and simply adored the city and our time away.
• If I need a pick-me-up, pick myself up.  I depend on Todd to do this (and he’s great at it), but you know what?  If I need to get happy, I can just as easily get in my car and go through the Starbucks drive through, or put on some make up, or listen to my favorite song, or heck, even buy myself some flowers.  I am in charge of my mood, and I want to do the things that I know lift my spirits.
• Encourage and give of myself more.  I can improve so much in this area!  Why not encourage?  I need to affirm Todd more, speak words of truth and life into Davis, and be a strong person to lean on for my friends and family.  You know when you get that little voice inside your head sometimes, nudging you to do something for someone else?  I want to listen to that voice more often this year.

I do have some really vain goals.  If you’re interested, here are a few:

• Whiten my teeth when I’m done with Invisalign
• Wear cuter pajamas
• Get more manicures and pedicures
• Figure out how to do the contouring thing with my makeup
• Tone my thighs
• Maybe start wearing lipstick?

(I could think of so many more to add to this list!)

I know this year will bring hard times, and it will not be all sunshine and roses.  But, as I go into 2015, I do hope to cross things off this list, learn from my goals, and also make some new ones.  And of course make some fun memories along the way!

Happy New Year to you all!

 

(Christmas posts coming soon!)