I'm not big on resolutions.

They're so.. resolute.

I much prefer setting open ended goals that I would like to accomplish throughout the year.

Goals seem easier to accomplish and much more gratifying.

Resolutions feel like a job, while goals are.. well goals. 

So, here are my goals for 2012.

I'll take a look back at the end of the year and see how I did.

1.) Potty train Cayden.  Holy Guacomole, diapering two children is EXPENSIVE!!

2.) Last year, I made a vague goal that, if finances and our lives permitted, that we would have another baby.  Well, we had another baby.. but finances and our lives didn't really work out the way we had hoped.  But we have forged through it all and now have the adorably chubby 11 week old Baby Gavin!  This year my goal is to not have a baby.  I think I have this goal on lock down.  Thank you, non-hormonal Paraguard IUD!!

3.) Work harder to strengthen my relationship with my husband.  All too often parents get so wrapped up in being parents, that they forget the magic, romance and love that drove them to parenthood in the first place.  I hope to make a weekend getaway with my husband this Summer for our anniversary.  Our candle is far from smoldered out but it never hurts to rekindle the fire at every opportunity.

4.) As always, become more involved in church.  We achieved this goal last year, however once I was put on bed rest, attending church became tricky.  Then when Gavin made his arrival, we just decided to take a few weeks off from church and allow our family to bond and be together.  Though now that Gavin is 11 weeks, I feel we are at a point where we can successfully begin diving back into our church life.

5.) Find more group activities for Cayden to participate in.  Now that I am a stay at home mother, I strive to work with Cayden daily on any number of topics: numbers, colors, shapes, etc.  I have spent the better part of the past two weeks researching different groups and programs for toddlers in our hometown that Cayden can participate in.  I thoroughly enjoy staying at home with my babies, but every now and then you have to get out of the house.

6). Lose the jiggle.  All of it.  I want my old soccer legs back.  As nice as that sounds, it's a lofty goal since if I attempted to play soccer right now, all parties involved would cry from painful side splints due to hysterical laughter.  A more realistic goal would be to get back to my pre-both-babies weight and tighten up my midsection.  That's what I'm going for.

7.) Blog more.  Easy enough, right?

8.) Find more time for me.  Since becoming a stay at home, I have found that it is extremely easy to lose who 'I am'.  I get so wrapped up in being mommy and everything that comes with it, that I forget I am also Billie.  I think it is vital to our ability to be a great mom that we also take time to be ourselves.  Even if that means a quick run in town to get a pedicure, as long as it is something special, a time for you to call your own, then I promise you will feel rejuvenated afterwards!  My goal is to do something for myself once a month.

9.) Pay off more of our debt.  Though we were able to pay off a few bills last year, during the birth of our newest little guy.. we acquired a few more!!  Our goal is to become more financially sound in 2012 by paying off as much of our debt as possible.  My personal debt includes two credit cards and my truck.  Though paying off my truck this year does not seem feasible, paying off my two credit cards does.  So, my personal debt goal is to pay off my two credit cards!

10.) Become a Crazy Couponing Lady.  You know.. the one's that have a coupon for everything in the checkout line.  The one's that us non-couponer's or minor couponer's scoff at when we have to wait in line forever at the grocery store.  I want to be that lady.

Well, that's it.  Those are my goals for 2012.   I hope you enjoyed reading them as much as I enjoyed thinking them up and writing them down.  I may add on to this post from time to time.. as the year progresses I may find new goals I want to set for myself.

What are your goals for 2012?

With Lots of Love,

The Unexpected Mother