Resolve

I've really never been one to make New Year's Resolutions but for some reason it's on my mind this year. Let's blame it on Pinterest. I think what started it was a blog post I saw about writing in a journal everyday. Next thing I know I'm buying a daily calendar at Target to write in. I'm sure I won't write in it everyday, and that's just fine. But there are a few things I'd like to work on this year.

In 2013 I want to:

*Invite more people into my home.
This one will require quite a bit of effort for me. I'll have to clean a lot more than I do. I'll have to make plans, which isn't in my nature. If it were up to me, I'd live under a rock. There are quite a few reasons this has got to happen, and I've just got to stop being lazy and do it!

*Get my children involved in more activities.
Paul said something I loved so much I wrote it in my daily calendar. We were talking about not having much time for ourselves and the things we want to do. He said something about realizing that we've just got to give that time up. We need to commit to the time it takes to do the things kids need to do. This year Eleanor is going to do more than violin and summer swim.

*Make more meals from scratch.
This will be difficult for the same reason the first one is, I don't plan. One reason I don't cook much from scratch is that I'm always missing some ingredient. But there's got to be a way, and I'm going to find it.

*Work less.
Or at least work smarter, not harder. Paul bought me a Silhouette Cameo, and I really have no excuse now not to rock my Etsy shop. As much as I love working as a dietitian, God wants me at home with my kids. I wonder, will this be the year I figure out how to stay home full time?

*Encourage people.
After the terrible thing that happened in Sandy Hook I noticed articles and Facebook posts about "random acts of kindness". I know many people have made a resolution to commit more of these. But I say there is no such thing. What I meant to say is kindness is intentional, not random. I'm going to find ways to bless people. Last year I told my AWANA commander that I want to recognize the leaders who volunteer so much time and energy to help us out. Up until now I've been doing a pretty mediocre job. I know God gave me a gift in this area, and I seldom use it.

*Pray.
How can I accomplish any of this without God's help? I used to think of prayer as something you had to do at a certain time, in certain way, with particular thoughts or feelings. Maybe having kids has changed my mind. When Henry prays before dinner, you'd think God was sitting right next to him and they were having a great conversation. Thing is, God is there!

Hopefully 2013 will also be full of fun and interesting craft projects, like these upcycled egg carton lights. I got this idea from this great post. My daughter really enjoyed cutting and painting them. They hung on our divider above our advent bags giving just the right touch during our holiday festivities.

Happy New Year, may God bless you all in 2013!