Resolving

I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions.  Why set myself up for failure? No need to say I’m going to lose “x” amount of pounds only to be hit by a chocolate craving in a month.  Or to promise myself I’m going to read a good book every night when I know I spend my evenings reading Green Eggs and Ham and It’s Hard to Be Five. (Both very good reads, even for a grownup!)

However, I think this year will be different.  Like most Mom’s, I spend way more time on my family than on myself.  I cook, clean, wash clothes, feed animals, wipe butts, noses and whatever else might be dripping and manage to work full-time with a 3 hour daily commute. There is very little to no time left for me.  And I don’t want much time.  Just a few minutes at the end of the day to call mine.

So here is a list of my resolutions.

1.  Read the Bible daily.  It has been a few years since I have read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  I downloaded the Bible app to my ipad and I intend to read my electronic Bible daily. Reading it on my ipad is not the same as reading my actual Bible, the one with pages and room for notes, but this will have to do this year.  The app has a One Year Bible built in and that’s the way I want to read.

2.  Sleep. This is a big area I’m missing.  There is no time for sleep.  Note the three children pictured below and you’ll understand why I don’t sleep.  They are ages 7,4 and 4 months.  I am constantly on the go.  And my Lion Cub doesn’t sleep through the night.  My Farmer doesn’t seem to wake up when the baby cries so it’s up to me. I wouldn’t trade those early morning little talks I have with my Lion Cub. There is nothing as soothing as rocking a baby when the rest of the house is quiet.  But middle-of-the-night feedings will require me to start going to bed earlier.

3.  Live in the Moment. OK, this sounds a bit lalalaish, but has a good intent.  When I’m at work I think about the kids. When I’m home I am constantly checking email or fretting about a work project. Work goes with me everywhere.  When I’m with the family I need to really be with the family.  Simple enough, hard to implement.

3.  Blog. Easy enough. FenceRow to FenceRow was very neglected in 2010.  I will blog once a week.  At least.  I hope!  Then maybe I’ll get some actual followers!

4.  Shed the Excess.  (weight, stuff)  Everyone wants to lose weight. I have babyweight to lose. And I’d like to do it before my Lion Cub starts college!  As for stuff, I can’t stand stuff.  I think as a society we have too much stuff. I don’t like knick-knacks that I have to dust or move around. I’m not a fan of having stuff just to have it. I want to be more of a minimalist. I keep important stuff; homemade items from the kids, family heirlooms and treasurers and the like. But I don’t need 50 different candles or the stack of magazines my Farmer keeps but never reads! You get the picture. Just need to pare down.

Simply, 2011 will be a great year. Just need to make a few tweaks along the way!