i resolve :: 2014 edition

a new year. a new beginning. a fantastic chance to start fresh, to set goals, to look ahead, and to reflect.

i usually do a very specific goals or wish list of things i'd like to accomplish, either for a new calendar year or a new year for my age. however, as i've reflected on 2013 and as i look ahead to 2014, i'd like to take a less structured approach this year.

being pregnant, i.e. jumping into something very unknown to me, has helped this planner realize that sometimes it's better not to plan everything. learning to go with the flow has been a great, unexpected side affect of pregnancy, but it has also been challenging. i have learned that i can't do everything, no matter how bad i want to, and that's ok.

2014 will bring about some BIG changes. some excitement. some nerves. some hardships. and some great times. so instead of defining exact things i want to accomplish or feel, i'll leave them vague and therefore, definable as i go.

1. do things i've not done before. try for at least one a month. including: cooking, crafts, parenting, places, things, etc.

2. be kind. work towards kindness. make more happy. at all possible times, and even at those times that i think it may not be possible.

3. take deep breaths. relax. have down time. enjoy nature/outside/sun. less screen time, in fact, much less screen time. hoping baby ole will help drastically with this one.

4. simplify. donate what we don't use. don't buy things that are unnecessary.

5. work out. crossfit. lift. softball. these things make me happy and are good for me at the same time. they also provide a great platform for me to learn to push myself. to be astonished by how much more i'm capable of than i could have imagined.

6. make progress. forward progress. do not remain sedentary.

2014, we are really looking forward to you! we'll be having a baby!! by the end of the year, al will be just 4 months shy of his required 3 years experience in wisconsin. and loads more that we're not even aware of.

i'd greatly appreciate it if you could slow time down a bit, since 2013 FLEW by; i'll make efforts to help you with this.