A Look into 2009

As promised, I have posted some pictures from Christmas! (Just checkout the slide show.) After my post on Christmas Eve, we all had another round of sickness. Thank goodness we made it through Christmas Day with no sickness! Now that Christmas is over, we are all looking toward an exciting 2009.

I have told many of you that I don't make resolutions. Resolutions are always broken. So, I like to call them goals. That seems to work a little better. So here are few of my goals for my family this year.

I would love for all of us to get healthier. Shannon and Chris are running a 5K on Valentine's Day and I would love to be able to the next one with them. So, we have made a goal to go to the YMCA more and eat healthier (as a family). We can only do it together! I also want to use my Wii Fit more. I got this for Christmas and it's really fun!

I want to continue Kaelyn's passion for learning. Chris and I have to commit to take time with her whenever she is wanting to read and write. I also want to start reading to both of the kids every night and saying our family prayer (we have definitely put this aside since the busy holiday season).

I will be finished with my master's by this time next year. I am open to new and exciting things with my career this year.

Chris and I have committed to do better financially. We just want to be a little more "tighter" with our money to ensure we fulfill some long term goals we have. And he has promised...we will not purchase a vehicle this year. In fact, we are trying not make any major purchases this year at all.

I have mentioned everyone except Caleb, but it's not like he has some major goals at 3. So we just want to keep him as sweet and rotten as he is.

Chris and I also have some high expectations and goals for our youth group and spiritually in general. Some of this will be fulfilled with the trip to Gatlinburg (at least a good start).

Above all, I want to make sure we take time for all of our family. This past year has been crazy with sickness, deaths, surgeries, and accidents. I think we have all learned not to take anyone for granted. With that said, I ask that all of you pray for my mom. She is having a somewhat simple surgery on the 15th. But nevertheless, we want to make sure that everything goes well.