New Year, New Aspirations

I have never been one to be huge on resolutions, but I do enjoy the refresh of January.

Everyone is full of hope and drive, and even though not everyone reaches those goals I find we all enjoy the direction and the purpose. 

This year has started on the right foot for my family with the husband starting a new job. 

With this new job, there are hopes of us building our new house by the end of the year.  We already own the land so now we've just been waiting for the right timing.

There are also hopes of saving more money and putting back as much as possible.  I live to be a huge saver but being on one income and two more human beings in the house it's not always so easy.

I am excited about the full year of KMB, and hope we are able to grow the blog and host many events throughout the community.

Last year I surpassed my goal of reading 30 books!  I am probably going to keep it at 30 again this year because who knows if I can reach that again.  Are you on Goodreads?

I have a one photo book to edit and a new scrapbook to start.  I am torn on if I should continue to scrapbooks and photo books? I have basically caught up my photo books up to the end of 2013.  But the scrapbooks are way behind...I know some photos are repeats in both so I am wondering if I should just stick to the photo books? Thoughts? I do have both boys newborn scrapbooks done though.  

My goals for this blog is to continue to blog about twice a week. I would love to do three, but I just don't know if that is possible with managing KMB as well. 

I love my blogging community that I have built over the past two years, so I want to be sure to continue keep it up.  I love you guys!

I still want to cook at least four meals at home during the week, and if I could do five even better!

A new goal for me will be working out.  We actually joined the local Y, so my goal is to go at least two and maybe three times a week.  They have a good 9:30 class I can attend while Nolan is at MDO, and Conley can be in the childcare at the Y.  I really can't wait to get moving!  I feel so "blah" after the holidays.

What are your goals for 2014? 

Natalie

Ready to Rock Out 2013!

Last year was a little crazy since most of the year was spent in expectation of having a new baby, then adjusting to life with a toddler and a newborn.

This year I am hoping for it to be a little less hectic, and not to have a baby or being pregnant in the year of 2013.  I've read this a few times from my new moms of two--and I couldn't agree more!  I really want to have time to enjoy my two boys as they are now.

I do feel that I did pretty well with my goals of 2012, and as I read many of my bloggy friends' goals I thought I should put my own in writing to keep me accountable.

Health:
I would like to continue our lifestyle of eating on the Primal Blueprint, and maybe with a little less cheating :)

Find a new workout regimen.  My local Stroller Strides closed, so I've got get a new game plan to stay fit. I am still friends with the moms, and I think once it warms up we'll try to do some activities and workouts outside. I would be happy if I worked out twice a week but also stay active during the other days with going to the park with the boys and going on strolls/walks.

Financial:
Last year was a pretty costly year.  We did tons of home improvements and landscaping---one of the main ones being replacing the siding and roof due to hail damage from April 2011. We had to pay out of pocket to do all of the siding since the back was only damaged, but since we already hated it we decided to just do it all.  We bought land and a new car, so our savings took a pretty big hit. Oh and added a new member to the family.  My goal is to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. I have always been a huge super saver, but I'm going to really try to build our extra money back up to the way I think it should be.

House Projects:
Makeover our master bedroom. We have the new paint picked out, and I have already removed all our stuff into the closet so furniture can be moved.  It's the one place in our house that really has not had any improvements to it besides new carpet--which now I don't even like.

Hobbies:
Photography-
I did learn a few new things about my camera, but I really want to go a little further with it this year. I do now have my own editing software that I've been using, so hopefully I will get even better at it. I want to be able to shoot more in manual mode.

Sewing-
I actually completed all the sewing projects I had on my to-do list last year. My MIL and SIL gave me tons of cute fabric for Christmas, so it's time to learn how to make some more projects.  I have a DVD with instructions for all kinds of fun and cute projects. I would really like to have a present for all my family members completed for next Christmas. Oh and I do need to hem my bedroom curtains!

Scrapbooking/Photo books-
I need to do a scrapbook for Conley, and I just received a book for Christmas. I already have a photo book  of his birth, but I do still like to have a scrapbook too. I also need to do another scrapbook for Nolan.

Reading-
Last year I had a goal of reading 30 books, and I came in at around 23.  I would like to read all 30 this year.

Travel-
I would like to take one small trip as a family in early spring, and then a longer beach trip in the fall after Conley turns one. I am hoping he'll be walking by then. I can't believe I just typed Conley turning one!!!

And the biggest and most rewarding goal of all---loving and enjoying my boys and my husband!  I want to make sure to enjoy the small moments and not try to rush to the next milestone for the boys and to make quality time for my husband.

I think 2013 is going to be a great year, how about you?

Natalie