What I Want to Accomplish in 2011

What is the due date for New Year's resolutions? I have no idea, but I hope I'm not too late. :)

My friend Lily posted her New Year's resolutions this week and asked people to share their resolutions as well. Hmmm, I thought "I've had all these goals for the coming year bouncing around in my head. Why don't I write them down (or use my new iPad as a note-taker!) and keep myself more accountable to achieving those goals?".

These aren't necessarily your typical New Year's resolutions, which for me normally means trying to change something and once I fail, I give up completely. Instead of resolutions, these are goals for 2011 - things I would like to see myself accomplish in the coming year.

I'm excited about having goals for the year because I think it will help me filter what is important and not-so-important to include in my life right now. Example: I am considering doing X activity, but it doesn't really fit in with any of my goals for the year. Well then, I say "no" to that activity and have time for things that DO help me achieve these goals.

Goals for 2011

1. Keep in touch with family and friends better than I did while in Spain, and use different means of communication (written cards, letters, packages; Facebook & blogging; Skype dates; and email).

2. Become a better organized homemaker and mommy. Create a motherhood mission statement, a homemaking binder, and add structure to my day so that I don't wander along aimlessly.

3. Create a warm, welcoming, and peaceful home out of our new 675 sq.ft. apartment in HKG.

4. Find community in HKG and a place to serve in our church.

5. I SO desire to be more patient and less angry...especially with Charlotte and Brendan.

6. Read 20 books that help enrich my faith and roles of wife, mother, and homemaker, and are pertinent to my current life situation.

7. Wake early enough to have morning devotion/quiet time (prayer & Bible reading) and get myself ready for the day.

8. Pray consistently for family.

9. Encourage Brendan more. Become more understanding of who he is, his struggles, his work, etc.

10. Prepare/plan activities for Charlotte that are fun, engaging, and mindful of her personality. Learn more about homeschooling.

11. Blogging goals - more consistent, more planning, learn more about technical aspects, and begin Charlotte's blog (more about that another day). :)