Happy New Year!

Hello 2011!  Did you make an resolutions for the new year?

I didn't.  At least not in the traditional sense of making resolutions.

Instead I made a list of 31 one things I want to accomplish before I turn 32 in December of 2011.

I included fun things like get a new tattoo and re-pierce my nose. 

I included things like taking the kids to serve in a homeless shelter, developing a closer relationship with God, and to give quality as gifts this year (i.e. wooden blocks that encourage play instead of a plastic toy that will break tomorrow)

Homeschooling my middle child landed on there as did taking a cake decorating class and weaning my toddler!

The idea is to stretch myself.  To be able to look back on the year and see tangible activities that encouraged me to grow and try new things.  Not everything has to be a success, I do not count myself a failure if I don't do one.  Its just forcing me to write down where I want to go, what I want to try.  To stop saying "I'd really like to _blank_" and actually doing it!  

So when my friend said to put going to Paris with her in September I thought she was nuts!  How could I afford it?  Simple she said, we have a mutual friend living there, we can stay with her and significantly cut our costs.  Oh.  My husband said go, its always been your dream and I don't want to go there.  Huh.  Everyone I talked to said GO

And isn't this what it is about?  Stretching myself?  Trying something new?  Something I've always wanted to do?

So #10 on my list is go to Paris.  #17  is get a passport. 

Hello 2011, how you doin?