Because we all start somewhere...

I have never really been a New Year's resolution kind of girl. Perhaps because they are made to be broken. Perhaps because I am not focused. Perhaps because I don't want to fail. So I won't call these resolutions; rather, I will refer to them as my 2012 Bucket List...the things I truly want to work toward this year.

1. To have a fresh, intimate relationship with Christ that grows daily. I want His Word to be living and active in my life, visible to all with whom I come in contact. I want my words to be His.

2. To have my children's hearts...to make memories with them and raise them to love the Lord and to live for Him. I want my kids to know Christ through me, and I want them to experience life with me.

3. To be a Proverbs 31 woman...the kind of woman my husband longs to be with and loves to talk about. I want my sons to look for the qualities they see in me in their future wives.

4. To write. While I would love to be published, I'm just not there yet, so I am at least publishing myself via this blog, and I hope you will follow me and at times provide feedback.

5. To go on a family vacation. I have been married for nearly eight years, and we have never gone on a family vacation by ourselves.

6. To save money...to go on said vacation among other things.

7. To change our eating style. To eat out less, to cook more nutritious meals, and to teach our kids the importance of this.

8. To improve my "health numbers." I am a mostly healthy person. My cholesterol and sugars are good, but there is always room for improvement. Primarily here I am looking for the number on the scale to go down, as well as my pant size.

9. To engage in much more physical activity, for my health and weight and children!

10. To give freely and generously as led by God.

11. To read books that challenge me. I primarily want to be challenged by the Word of God, though I want to read some additional treasures as well.

12. To decorate and fix up the home we have owned for five years...it's about time!

So there it is. It's all laid out for the world (at least some of it) to see. Experts say that if you write a goal down and make it measurable you will succeed. They are written, and they are measurable. I hope that you enjoy following my journey, and I also hope you are able to pick up some tips from me along way. Many blessings to you as you start your 2012! May God grant you favor and give you direction.