New Resolve

I totally love this season! Starting with Thanksgiving, then our wedding anniversary, my son's birthday, Christmas, New Year's and Kamuela's birthday. I get so excited for this time of year! I'm always a little sad when it's over and wish we could keep the decorations up all year round, although poor Kamuela, by the time his birthday comes around I'm kind of worn out with all the rushing from the holidays and him going back to school/work, so it's usually a really low-key celebration. 

Lucky he actually doesn't mind that, and always tells me that he doesn't care about making it a huge deal (as long as he gets his new/expensive/only-the-elite-musicians-have-them pedal, a rifle and chocolate cake.) And of course he loves his homemade dinner by his Mom, and the kindness of the rest of his family. 

Anyway, I am secretly glad that 2011 is over. I think out of the last 5 years it's been the toughest one so far. It had some really wonderful moments but overall it was kind of disappointing and I'm eager to start a new year, fresh and renewed resolve.

I'm pleased to say that I accomplished most of my resolutions for last year - learning about photography (although I have so much more to learn, I'm happy with my progress so far), keeping up with posting my pictures a day, reading more, getting outside and exercising more, trying to reuse and recycle, getting crafty, lowering costs and saving money. There is always more to do, but I made some changes that are good habits to develop.

This year, along with continuing to improve my mind, my resolutions include:

• sewing a puletasi 
• recovering a carseat/high chair 
• progressing in my exercise (and hopefully getting certified in Turbo Kick...we'll see about that one)
• planning our weekly meals (to try to save money, eat healthier and cook more)
• being more organized (helping Hi'ikua, our finances and planning ahead)
• doing my Visiting Teaching regularly 
• helping at chapel cleanup more often (my goal is at least twice a month, for every month we're assigned)
• attending the Temple - trying to make it a habit. My goal at this point is to attend 5 times this year (not including witnessing Marriage Sealings), but ultimately to get back into the routine, and then attending more often
• doing more educational activities with Ka'ihi
• start learning Spanish
• making our home (and our lives) centered around Christ
• give vocal/piano lessons (I've always been a little hesitant to do this for some reason, but people keep asking, so it's time I start doing)

Oh and one more thing I'd like to add to my bucketlist - visit as many US states as I can! So far I've only been to Utah, Nevada and California. But I want to experience the things that make each state unique, as well as visit friends and family. Better start saving that money then!

I'm sure I'll think of more that I'd like to accomplish. My resolutions list is never really finished, I'm still working on things from last year! But it makes me excited to write them down and have a record of things I'm interested in.

Happy 2012!

no I didn't take this picture, I got it online. But cool idea!