Change. My theme for 2011

An interesting thing about having a bday in early January. Not only do I make goals for whatever year it is, I can make goals for my year of life at the same time. In this case, my 26th year-- a year of positive changes!

We hope that in a few months our lives change dramatically. After what is most likely his worst semester yet, Luke will graduate with his Masters degree from USU.
That not only means NO MORE SCHOOL! (YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE)! but it also means finding a new (career) job, finding a new home, selling our current house, moving..... and lots and lots of other changes. We're ready! We've been doing the student thing for more than 6 years--It's time for these changes to take place!

Obviously, thise are some MAJOR changes... which include some monstrous goals (ie. writing thesis, home improvement projects etc) but there are other minor personal changes I'd like to make. 

In thinking of my large list, I decided the best way to do that was to categorize them, then rate them in order of "Good, Better, and Best" as directed by Pres. Oaks a few years ago. 

So here are some things I've already started working on: 

GOOD- Do something dramatic with my hair..........So I became a brunette!  Wow. it looks really red in that picture, but it's more brown when I'm not standing under a light bulb.

BETTER- Begin the year with a fully organized house. I went crazy last week and reorganized just about every closet, drawer, and cupboard. It feels so nice!

BEST- Keep it that way! It will make showing the house to prospective buyers much easier. 

PARENTING GOALS:

GOOD- Plan ahead, and leave more time so when Tianna doddles I don't get so frustrated with her 

BETTER- Spend more time playing with my kids-- don't use the phrase "We'll do it later" so much. 

BEST- Use kinder language and tone with my children so that they will  remember their mother as being nice to them. This one is very hard sometimes. ..Even with cuties like these!

  Adelia got into Daddy's tools-- she is a bit less girlie girl than her older sister... who insisted I take a picture of her in a Hawaiian outfit.

SPIRITUAL GOALS

GOOD-Plan primary songs out 2 months at a time.. or for the entire year would be best!
BETTER- Go visiting teaching earlier each month

BEST- Reserve a time each day to study my scriptures 

BEST- Attend the temple once a month
BEST- Have FHE EVERY week

PHYSICAL goals:

GOOD-Utilize the treadmill upstairs. 1/2 marathon in July? (maybe it's an unrealistic goal, but we'll see!)

BETTER-Floss more often 

BEST-Go to bed by 11:30--doesn't sound "early" but it's an improvement

JUST random STUFF:

GOOD-Not just make cards, but SEND them out! 

GOOD-File the mail pile more often: weekly would be nice, monthly is more practical

GOOD- Figure out a better system for receipts-- SUGGESTIONS welcome!

BETTER- Eat out less

BETTER- Spend less time on the computer

BETTER- Be on time for things

BEST- Be a better listener, give my opinion less
BEST-  Think positive thoughts

BEST-  SMILE

Here's to you 2011 and 26! Let this be the best year ever!