Happy New Year!!

I love how a new year always feels like a fresh start!

And there's no better way to start fresh than to sit down and make a list of what you would like to accomplish!

I typically make an enormous list of goals that end up overwhelming and frustrating me.  So this year I'm keeping it simple and realistic (which happens to be my first two goals).

1.  Simplify - This is a two part goal.  I plan to simplify our home by cleaning out everything except what we use regularly and getting everyone in the habit of putting things back where they go.  I also plan to simplify and streamline our daily schedule.

2.  Be Realisitc - I'm your typical Type A personality who make elaborate plans that rarely work just the way I want and leave me stressed and frustrated in the end.

3.  Focus - I get distracted easily and tend to start 5 different projects at once.  I want to get in the habit of finishing one project before I start another (starting with the ten unfinshed projects in my garage!)

4.  Financial Goals - 

• Pay off debt.  We lost a very large amount of money during the sale of our old home and the purchase of our new home this past year.  It's time to clean that mess up!
• Put 3 months worth of living expenses into savings
• Eat out less in order to save more money (and be healthier)

5.  Family Goals -

• Start preschool (homeschooling) with Ella and Claire.  Ella is very excited to learn to read and do some simple math this year.
• Get the kids more involved with daily/weekly chores.
• Go to the library twice per month.
• Go on a fun outing (children's museum, zoo, etc.) twice each month.
• Take the kids to Disney World this fall!

6.  Personal -

• Post 3-4 times each week on my blog.
• Go to the gym 2-3 times per week.
• Have a monthly freezer cooking day so that I spend less time cooking and cleaning in the kitchen and have more time to spend with my family.
• Start my own business. I'm tossing around a couple of different ideas with my husband right now.  We plan to really focus on this beginning in February.