Happy New Year.

  The Lord shine upon you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you, 

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance on you,

And give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

Well, I have been meaning to write this post for a couple of days now...because I have thoughts bouncing around in my head like a racquet ball match! As I mentioned in my previous post, the new year to me is about resolutions, or goals, as I prefer to call them. It is a time I can think about the things in my life that are working, and a time for me to think about the things that are not. It is a time to begin a transformation in a sense. These are some of the reasons I get so excited about a clean fresh start.

Over the holidays I tend to go 100 mph and hardly have time to work on the things that mean the most to me, it is funny how that happens. I get so caught up in the gift giving, the traditions of Christmas, and the shopping (all which are very important) that I forget to slow down...

So, I take this time, once the bustle of the season is over to reflect upon my year ahead.

I am a person full of grand goals and this time of year they all seem to spill out wanting to be implemented...they come at me and reer themselves to the surface of my brain as if to say, "Anna--this is the most important thing you should be doing right now!" It gets stressful and downright difficult to even get started I tell you! Does anyone else feel this way?  So first I need to look at the bigger picture. I need to start sorting out my mind, if you will. I need to create a plan, a list, a large goal for 2012. There are a million small goals that are flying through my mind all in various categories of my life, but I need to look at one umbrella goal if you will--and go from there. So, I will start with choosing one word that I hope to reflect my new year. One simple word that will help me in all aspects of my life. Now choosing that one word for your main goal is not an easy task...about 50 words go through my mind and say, "Choose me, choose me!" But this is important, this is the one word that will encompass my 2012, so it has to be a good one. And guess what friends, I chose my word! (I am sure you are all on the edge of your seats...)

My word for 2012 is,
PEACE.
Seem silly?
or does it not really make sense?

let me explain...
I feel scattered.
I feel a yearning to do better, work harder, be something more--all of which are like poison to who I am and what I am and what I am doing today. I dislike my constant internal voice that tells me I am not good enough and have not done good enough. Well, 2012 is my year baby. My year to be at PEACE with Anna. To be at PEACE with the person I am today--the mother, wife, daughter, friend, that I am today. No more, no less. 2012 is my year to stand on the mountain top and scream, "I AM GOOD ENOUGH because I am trying my best!" 2012 is my time to be proud of my small, minute, ordinary everyday accomplishments, and to remember that every new day is just gravy. With PEACE as my word I am ready to take on the smaller goals with a positive internal voice. I am ready to go to bed knowing that the day is done, I did my best, and I am at peace with that. And the larger blessing lies in that I can continue again tomorrow, God willing. How refreshing.

With this new peaceful mindset I am free to accomplish more and to be more. I am open to my possibilities. My smaller goals somehow seem more attainable knowing PEACE is on my side.

A list of some of my goals for 2012:
My Year of Peace.

Personal Goals:
Continue to print and organize photos into albums
Continue to journal weekly without restraint
Read many good books
continue to work out at least 4 times a week
Run a 1/2 Marathon
Paint monthly
stop biting my nails for good (I always fall into biting when I am stressed)
Organize all recipes
write and send, via mail, one letter per week
Create a budget and stick to it
No unnecessary spending
Continue to declutter my life and give things away
Family Goals:
Read at least 5 books a day with each child
Finish Lyla and Landon's baby books
Paint Lyla's room
Crafts with Lyla at least 3 times a week
Special time spent with Landon each day while Lyla sleeps (uninterrupted play time)
Lots of trips to the Park, the Zoo, and the Museum
Pick a wonderful school for Lyla (how is it that time)
Start Lyla in dance lessons
Start Landon in gym classes
Husband and Wife Goals:
Weekly date nights, even if they are spent at home
buy more games and play more games with Chris, instead of watching TV
continue conversing and working on our 5 year plan
I also have a list of private relationship goals that I hope to accomplish with Chris.
Faith based Goals:
Continue to go to church on Sunday
Begin weekly church classes starting in January
Continue to work on my relationship with God
pray pray pray
become involved with ministry
help Lyla be involved with our church


 So, my friends, this is just the start.
I feel so eager and excited to get this year underway.
I will add goals as I think of them--because I tell ya, my mind never shuts off!

I hope you all had a very Happy New Year's Eve...ours was spent just how I like it with my best friend...the kids in bed, Chris cooking me a delicious lobster and tritip dinner, playing Scrabble, watching a Real Housewives marathon, and going to sleep by 10:30pm! 

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

  Peace be with you my friends <3