2007 You were lovely, a platform for many fond memories. Looking back, my favorite moment was watching my girls put their feet into the pacific ocean for the first time ever.
The image is of pure joy as they felt the salty water around their ankles and the sand wiggling under their feet. Forever it will be seared into my mind... almost as blissful as the moment I first laid eyes on each of them at the moment of birth. Our time spent at the beach was truly a highlight for me.
Looking forward to 2008 brings several emotions. First -there is disbelief. I cannot believe that we are standing on the brink of another year!?! I am sure that time is speeding up. Second- there is bittersweetness. Where have all the babies gone? Three young ladies live here now. My children are growing so fast. And thirdly- there is anticipation. I like fresh starts and new beginnings. Perhaps that is why I tend to be a morning person. I like aiming higher.
My New Year's Resolutions could best be divided into three categories (yes, I have really spent that much time thinking about it :)
* TAKING BETTER CARE OF MYSELF (This one is always hard to write, I prefer taking care of others)
+ In terms of nutrition, be a "do as I do" kind of mom. No more sneaking unhealthy food when the kids aren't looking or after they go to bed. They are starting to figure it out.
+ Find fun ways of sneaking in exercise. Just because I don't make it to the gym doesn't mean that I can't find some other way of fitting it in (ie. dancing with the kids, or playing tag, building a snowman, etc.) It doesn't have to be so grueling, so scheduled...just heart rate raising!
+ Floss at least once daily. I don't know why I have such a hard time making this a regular habit!
*TAKING BETTER CARE OF MY STUFF (I am blessed with a lot of nice things...I need to take better care of what I have.)
+ One word, laundry. Treating stains, delicate cycles, hanging dry, DOING IT.
+ Be diligent about cleaning, tuning, and regularly scheduling maintenance on all appliances and automobiles.
+ If something breaks- Can it be repaired? Can we find another use for it? Stop using the "throw it away and buy a new one" philosophy.
*TAKING BETTER CARE OF OUR EARTH (reduce, reuse, recycle really does describe it best)
+ Cut waaaaaay back or totally eliminate plastic. Already I use fabric shopping bags, and mesh bags for my produce...but I am addicted to zip-loc sandwich bags. A solution? I ordered this to help me. Yep, I am really going to start washing and re-using them. Go ahead, laugh now.
+ Use cloth napkins over paper towels. I am in the process of making more. Besides, they are prettier. And, funny enough, our manners seem to improve when we use them.
+ opt out of several catalogs that come my way. I shop online anyways.
It shouldn't be that hard right? Pretty simple, now keep me to it! Thank you to all of those who have left little snippets of your thoughts here along with mine. I love your comments and it means so much to me that you peek your head in here every now and then to say hello.
Happy New Year to all of you, here's to a great 2008!
