Monday, January 10, 2011

Looking forward to 2011

I have never done New Year's Resolutions out of fear of failing. Also, I am a fan of the motto "you only live once...", so why would I torture myself for a whole year with something I would really love to be doing? So I just figure that New Year's Resolutions are not for me. On the other hand, I do enjoy setting goals and achieving them. My most recent achievements were training for a half marathon and completing it before trying to get pregnant. Race completed. Had a baby. Done and done. Now what should my next goals be....
1) Half marathon. Again? Is that boring to keep doing the same goal? Eh, I don't care. After crossing the finish line of my first mini marathon, I remember feeling like "if I can do this, then I can do anything". It's almost the same feeling you get after delivering a baby (key word is "almost"). It was a long, hard process, that took a lot of focus and energy, but I felt SO amazing after I had accomplished it. This is why I want to do it again. I am still searching the Oregon running sites for the race that will work best with my schedule. I am waiting to select the race until I am more consistent in my training.
2) Lose the "baby weight". I will blame my current weight on the fact that I have a six month old child, but the truth is that I have put ten pounds BACK ON in the last three months. Talk about discouraging. Mike and I have decided to help each other make the time for the workouts we want to do, so that we can both reach the goals we have set for physical fitness. We are also planning our meals together, so we are more likely to achieve these goals.
3) Communicate better. Yes, you heard that right. I know this might seem shocking from Miss Chatty Cathy over here, but I need to work on communication where it counts. That seems to be when I have no words at all (I know jaws are currently dropping, but I do have moments that I can't talk at all....gasp!).
4) Quality family time. Just to keep it simple...facebook, text & email LESS. Play wii together, go for walks/bike rides, read books, talk, play with toys & go to church MORE.
5) Get control of my finances. This is something that is always weighing on my mind and must come with the territory of being a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom). There are things I need to buy and there are things I want to buy, but there is always some guilt attached to spending money when I am not the person bringing home the bacon. I have the same struggles as everyone else. There are things I want to buy at Target that we really don't NEED. Sometimes I just want to go out to dinner....just because. Who needs a hairt cut, manicure and massage? I DO!!! But all of these things are luxuries that we can't always afford. My husband is sweet and encourages me to do these things on occasion, but I need to find a balance between luxury (implulse) spending and necessity spending.

Looking into 2011 with three of my favorite people:

Mike-
You put up with a lot. Thank you for loving me when I am impatient, unpredictable and snippy. I love it that you call me weird names (even though I have no clue what they mean). I also love that you just shake your head when I tell you "no" or treat you like one of the kids. You have been a faithful friend over the years and I look forward to another awesome year ahead.
I love you!


Ella & Jaycoby-
I love you both so much and am so thankful for all of the time that we get to spend together. It is safe to say that I am the luckiest mommy in the world. You both bring me so much joy. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without your silly laughs and adorable smiles.
Love you!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Great goals. Love the financial stuff too. So hard to really distinguish between impulse and necessity mostly because, lets face it, who really knows your pocketbook but you. It's so easy to justify things. Best wishes too as you improve in these areas. ;)
ps, people can't believe when I am speecjless too. But it happens more and more now days as I learn when to say something and when to just keep my mouth closed. lol
And WTG on looking at another half. Thats so awesome. I wish I enjoyed running. Just never have. Maybe a race to the fridge.... JK

Unknown said...

These are some really great goals Mindy. Its so nice that you and Mike can support each other!

Rachel said...

I love this blog post!
What a fabulous way to start the new year! I think that all your goals are reasonable and of course my most favorite is the quality family time. I feel like I have to work on that myself.
Good luck Mindy! 2011 is going to be a fantastic year!