New year, New ____________!

So, it's a new year. 2012. This is a year that I hope brings new adventures, restoration, peace, happiness, and discovery. I have been going through a lot in my life lately and I hope to share that at some point although I don't think it is time for that yet. What I will share are my New Year Resolutions. I am not usually one to make resolutions, but I have some particular goals for this year and what better time to lock them in than the New Year? So, here is my top 5 countdown of resolutions for 2012:

5. Start blogging again. Write at least 1 blog per week all year.
I think this one is beyond doable. I love to write and I love the idea of having a blog as a kind of journal to look back on and self-reflect. Even though so many hours of my week are taken up by other things I want to set aside a little time each week to reflect, to share, to write. And hey, if I end up writing more than one a week...awesome.

4. Communicate with at least 1 family member every day all year long.
I have a big family. I have 2 brothers, 2 sisters, 2 brothers-in-law, 1 sister-in-law, 4 nieces and 3 nephews. I have a huge extended family as well. In the past I have been selfish and closed-off with my family. It has taken a massive crumbling of my world to bring me back to them and I am so thankful for each and every member of my crazy family. I used to go weeks without talking to any of my siblings and even my mom and dad. I never want to do that again. Even if all I have time for that day is a quick text to let someone know that I love them I have to communicate with my family.

3. Move to Florida
I have wanted to move back to Florida for a couple of years now, but this is the year for it to happen. I can't think of a better place to go for a fresh start than the beach! I am going to be moving forward with a new chapter of my life this year and I plan on starting that chapter with an ocean, a fabulous sister, and an amazing church family that I am itching to be a part of. Here's to new beginnings!

2. Get Hot! Reach my goal weight by 30!
This is the year that I have to leave my 20s behind. Good riddance! As far as my body goes I spent the majority of my 20s fat and unhappy with the way I looked. Why didn't you do something about it, you ask? That's a good question. I was never able to look inside myself and find the motivation and determination to make it happen. I didn't think that I was worth it. I know now that I am. I deserve to be proud of how I look. I deserve to be able to wear what I want. I deserve to be healthy (and hot). I plan on starting my 30s looking and feeling better than I ever have. In 2011 I lost 49 pounds! I have 36 pounds to go to hit my goal weight and I have until August to do it. I think that I can make that happen. I'm so excited about this one!

1. Seek after God with everything in me. Go all in and find who He has made me to be.
This one is so important to me (hence it being #1). It is somewhat vague and unlike all the others is not something that you can measure. In 2011 (and before) my relationship with God (much like my relationship with my family) has taken a back burner to what I want to do. In the past I have had a bad habit of working hard when things get bad and when things are okay riding the wave of okay-ness. This doesn't work. All things in life-relationships, jobs, parenting, friendships, family-take conscious effort at all times to last. I have learned this lesson the hard way, but I have learned it. My #1 resolution is purposefully vague. It would be easier for me to say that I want to read my Bible every day or spend 20 minutes in prayer every day, or attend church twice a week or...you get the idea. But, in order to make my relationship with God a conscious effort I can't make Him something that I can scratch off my to-do list for the day. I want God to be at the center of my world at all times. I want my relationship with him to permeate everything that I do which, for me, means praying without ceasing and seeking His will in everything that I do. Now, that's not to say that I won't read my Bible every day or go to church as much as possible, etc., but, more importantly, is keeping Him first and foremost in my life at all times.


So, there it is, my resolutions for 2012. 2012 scares me...a lot, but I believe that these goals will help me to grow into the best person that I can be...a person that I intend to be for the rest of my life. Here's to 2012!