New Year - Here's to 2011

So, I have to admit, my views on New Year's has changed drastically throughout the years. My parents can probably all to easily remember me begging them to let me stay up, begging to do some sort of fireworks, begging to hang out with friends, and one year when I was with family in Arizona, begging to go to some party at the local Indian Casino (I was like 12 or 13!!). I even enjoyed trying New Year's Resolutions out and making lists for the upcoming year. Looking at those years, one would have thought I would be out in some sparkly sequined dress, sipping something in a nice glass, with heels and makeup on, staying up to ring in the new year.
And here I sit, after eating cereal for dinner with my favorite 2 year old, bare foot with my hair in messy pigtails, watching The Incredibles with Brayden while my Hubby works. I will definietely be in bed before midnight, and will probably wake up in the morning without a ton of thought about the numbers changing from 10-11.
Now don't get me wrong, there is lots to look forward to in 2011, a new baby for our family, a baby boy turning 3, me turning 25, Mike turning 26, 2 new cousins for Brayden, etc. I enjoy looking back on the last year of our lives and I enjoy looking forward on the next year of our lives, it just seems that my life has taken a turn for the "homebody" lifestyle that I wouldn't trade for the world.
Something that has also changed is my feelings on "resolutions".  Not meaning to offend anyone that makes them or sees them useful, but I really dont like resolutions at all. I think goals for one's self are great and that they really help give us drive and push to accomplish things, but I really see no reason whatsoever to wait for one day to start making changes in our lives. I think if we have an idea that we need to make a change in our life, we need to make it right then and there instead of waiting for a new year. I also think we need to look at the goals we have for ourselves and make sure that they are realistic and actually beneficial.  So, I guess, I support goals, and not neccessarily goals for the "new year" but just goals for ourselves, for our lives. Some of my ongoing goals (that I actually need to really work on) are trying to stop biting my nails, eating healthier, becoming a better cook, balancing and managing my time better, being more romantic in my marriage, working harder to encourage learning experiences with Brayden, reading my Bible more frequently and more in-depthly, making more friends, getting back into managing my pictures better, and pursuing my hobbies with a greater determination. These arent all of them, not even close, but these are things I want to work on and look forward to accomplishing and conquering!

Happy 2011! Above any goals and resolutions, may we all focus this year on how we can better glorify God, how better we can live our lives to serve Him, and how we can better grow to be more like Him!