No stinkin' resolutions...

Resolution: A formal expression of will or intent.

Yeah, it is that time. You know what I'm talking about. The time is here for New Year's Resolutions! Everybody makes them, everybody breaks them.

I am a list maker and do like to have written goals to work toward. However, making resolutions seems too much like setting oneself up for failure. Isn't it sort of expected for people to bail on their new year's resolutions? Instead of resolutions I think I'll just make a declaration of my hope for 2009.

I hereby appoint 2009 as my year to focus on relationships.

It is very easy to get caught up in day-to-day living and fall short in devoting ourselves to relationships. The thesaurus offered two poignant words when looking up relationship: connection and association. Connection will be my primary objective this year. My desire is to devote more time, energy, and love to the relationships in my life. This includes my relationship with God, my husband, my children, and family/friends.

I believe spending more time in the word and more quiet time with God will enhance this relationship.

I hope to spend more quality time with my husband this year. Raising five children can be a time-consuming life choice! We just need to carve out more time for us.

I hope to be kinder in my words to my children and serve as an encouragement to them. 2009 will bring Zack's senior year of high school and his time living at home is dwindling. My stomach draws into a knot even I type those words. While thinking of any of our children leaving home brings sadness, I am excited to see what opportunities and experiences are in store. I recently read the quote "The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes" by Harold Lee. I agree.

I hope to take more time to invest in my relationships with extended family and friends. I cherish spending time with those I love. I hope to devote more time to game nights, dinners and evenings spent around the pool and fire pit, and general togetherness which provides such sweet memories.

I also hope to continue to grow relationships with Guatemalan friends and continue to develop my calling to serve those in need in Guatemala.

Connection. My goal in 2009.

Oh, and I want to lose 15 pounds too!