Welcome 2014

While I was with my family for the holidays, they urged me to write again.  And it sounded delicious and daring, so here I am.

There are two kinds of people who celebrate a New Year.  Those who make resolutions and those who hate those people and make fun of them behind their backs.  For me, a new year is almost as good as Christmas.  There's something about it that is so FULL of hope and expectation and unanswered questions in the most beautiful way.  I believe in intentionality, in setting goals that are attainable and measurable in an effort to force yourself off of the couch (or computer, oopsies) and take a step in a good direction.  Nothing more, nothing less.

So I don't call them resolutions, but I do set goals for a new year.  It's an exciting process to reflect and choose the things I think will stretch me and make me uncomfortable and push me toward something better that I might have otherwise missed. 

So here are my goals for 2014:

1. Find a Bible reading plan and follow it.
2. Read at least one non-fiction book per month.
3. Run two half marathons.
4. Pay off all debt!! (11 loans in total left)
5. Make an exercise plan for each month with hubs.
6. Have one night per week with no TV.
7. Read 2 books together with the boy (about anything).
8. Continue our monthly budget meetings.
9. "Complete" our apartment one room at a time.
10. Write a blog post at least once per month. Checkmark please and thank you!?
11. Give away at least 10% plus $20 per month to church/charities.  Re-start our "needs fund" for when we hear of needs we might be able to help meet.
12. Have one couple/friend over per month.
13. Create plan for keeping our home clean.
14.  There is a 14th, but some things  can stay private. ;)

I know it may not sound exciting, but it's filled with so much promise for me.  It fills me with hope and anticipation of what this year could bring.  I'm ready.

Photo source