Happy New Years!!!!

Yes, I know that I am posting this prior to the actual "New Years" for our time zone. However, I hope you realize that it is already tomorrow somewhere in the world. At least that is how I think of things sometimes. I love trying to explain to my little sisters that Andrew is "in the future." I am one of those party poopers who is staying home tonight. I am actually having an okay time being here with Reese. Someone has to potty train him. He has been doing good so far, keep your fingers crossed. Hopefully tonight I will get a little more sleep :)

One of the things that I have been thinking about this year has been all of the goals that I set for myself. Most of the time I set them in my mind and that is where they stay. They do not really progress further than that. Oh yeah, every once in a while I come across an experience that could qualify as the completion of a goal, but usually that is an accident. My only real experience with goals was with YW personal progress, and even then I was the ultimate procrastinator. I want things to be different this year. So, although I don't usually do this I will make some New Year's resolutions for myself. Maybe if I post them here I will feel that extra obligation to complete them. I think I will make myself goals in categories. Here goes... (I will start with the "worldly" one first, they are sometimes the easiest to come up with!)

Physical- get my sorry butt in shape! I have put on a few pounds since I got married, which I know is normal, but that doesn't mean I am okay with it. We are going on a cruise this summer and I want to wear my "skinny" clothes again! Is that so much to ask? This will require some effort, but don't be surprised if you see me walking around town with a chocolate lab in tow and an ipod plugged in my ears.

Education- no, I am not going back to school; however, I am up for renewing my RDH license in 2008 so I need to complete all of my continuing education credits... really I only have medical emergencies left to do, watch out Mr. Malamed here I come! (Just in case you are wondering he is like the guru of medical emergencies and writes pretty much all the text books on the subject, they are the most boring text books in the world)

Financial/Career- finally make my millions and retire on a desert island... oh wait, this is supposed to be realistic, never mind about the millions. Realistically: I want to continue with the Close To My Heart thing, but I am also going to start a vinyl letter/sign company! I got the machine just before Christmas no I just need to get set up for business.

Family, Home, Marriage- This one is the most important for me this year, by far. This is the year that Andrew and I will be sealed in the Temple. With him being gone for the bulk of 2007 we missed that one year mark. There are a lot of things that I could be doing better in my life to be worthy of this blessing. The most humbling thing of all is the fact that my Lord does not ask for perfection. I have many "little" goals in this category, mostly because every time I think I am one step closer to "perfect" I am blessed with a humbling experience that knocks me back down and reminds me how little I know and do. Goals: say my prayers every morning and every night (the last few months the gentle reminder that passes through my mind is: "for the evil spirit teacheth a man not to pray"); read the scriptures (I want to read The Book of Mormon through again, but I want to read the New Testament again this year as well); do my visiting teaching! (I did it for December, lets see if I can do it every month...); attend the temple often (aim for twice a month); fulfill my callings; and for me, the most important thing I need to do this year is reading the scriptures and praying with my husband, every day.

I have been so blessed in 2007. In some ways this could be ranked as one of the worst years of my life, but out of the trials (or "learning experiences") has come the blessing of seeing some of my weaknesses be turned into strengths. I hope that 2008 will hold many more of these opportunities as well (although, that does not mean that I wish for bad things to happen to me, so you can just keep your floods, fires, winds, etc. to yourself!) May God bless us all as we accept His will and live our lives to return to Him. Happy 2008!