The Year Ahead - 2009

What is it about the beginning of the year that always makes us take stock of our lives and look ahead to set our goals? It is that time of year again, setting goals for the upcoming year. I am not fond of resolutions as to me they imply that you haven't been doing anything at all. But I think goals are important as they help keep us focused on things we are doing and where we go from here. Here are some of the things on my list for 2009.

Spiritual
This past year, I was faithful to spend some time each morning praying before school. I'll admit it was often in the car on the way to work, but still I enjoyed that time in prayer each morning. I really liked that part of the time was Jack and I praying together each morning outloud as we drove to school. I love to hear him pray. This year, I really want to be more consistent with reading my Bible. I just do not do it as often as I would like and I really want to make that more of a priority.

Physical
I am really excited to be 40 pounds lighter that I was this time last year. But I still have a ways to go. Over the holidays we weren't as strict on our eating as we normally are, so that is back on now. (all candy and cookies are being thrown out today!) But the biggest thing I need to do is start exercising. I messed my knee up pretty good back in August playing volleyball and that really took a toll on my exercising, but I need to get back to it. (even though exercising is one of my least favorite things to do!). My goal is to do interval training (cardio) 3 days a week and do strength/flexibility training 3 days a week. We got a Wii Fit for Christmas and that will help a lot with the strength/flexibility training. My goal is to do it 30 minutes each day to start and work up from there.

Relationships
Last year we put into place Family Movie/Game Night on Friday nights and that has been so much fun. We all look forward to it and it is great to have a night when we just hang out as a family. I'd also like to make more time each evening for a family devotional. We've been sporadic at doing this at best, but I think it is very important that this become a priority this year.

This year, James and I are making an effort to have Date Night one night a week as well. Most of the dates won't involve us leaving the house as we don't have the money to pay for THAT many babysitters, but we will have a 'date' at home. Watching movies, talking, play games, etc. after the kids go to bed. The difference this makes in our marriage is amazing. I am really realising how important it is to make time for just us to talk and hang out.

Professionally
This is the one area I'm just not sure what to do. I am currently scheduled to start school in August to get my Ed.S. degree in educational curriculum. I just wish I knew for sure if that is what I am to do. I've also been playing around with the idea of going back to school to get certified in Nutrition and start working with children and families who have weight issues. I'm still praying about it and hope that the Lord will direct me soon. I have asked to not teach Pre-K again next year. I have enjoyed it, but it is time to move on, especially if I want to move up and do more administratively in the school system. I'd love to loop up with my class or possibly teach 2nd grade next year. So we'll see what happens there in the next couple of months.


Financially
We've gotten better about watching our spending and staying on top of our finances. But having read Dave Ramsey's book, we are talking about starting that program. The class is being offered at our church, we just aren't sure if it is something we can commit to time wise. We might just do it ourselves without doing the class. But we definitely want to be saving more and being as lean as we can in our spending.

One thing that I know I am going to have to do to make all this happen (especially the spiritual and physical aspects of my goals) is to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier. I am bad about staying up for no good reason watching stupid TV shows or surfing the Net. So this year, I will be heading to bed much much earlier. That way I can be up at 5am, reading my Bible and exercising. I know this will be the hardest part of making this all happen. But what do they say about habits? 21 days of doing something and it becomes a habit. I sure hope that is true!

What about you? What goals have you set for yourself this year?

Happy New Years everyone!