Another New Year: Ringing in 2009

If Christmas is one of my favorite days on the calendar, then New Year's Day is one of the strangest. I always feel a little excited, while feeling a bit depressed. On one hand, a whole new year is in front of me with a lot of great hopes and plans. On the other hand, I know it's the end of the Holiday season and the rush is over with no immediate plans in sight. I know that usually New Year's Eve we will head over to our friends' house to celebrate, and New Year's day involves football, eating and resting ... all good things in my opinion. It's just that I know the next day will be just another regular day. It also means that I un-decorate my house and return Christmas to storage to wait out another year. This part makes me a little sad, but also happy to have my house back to "normal."

Most of the blogs I read list all the things they accomplished in the year that is coming to an end, with a brief list of hopes, resolutions or plans for the next year. I really don't make resolutions. If I do, they are usually ones that can be completed in January, so I feel like I got it done and I don't have to think about it too much more. I also rarely look back on the things I have done over a year and wonder if I met my goals, unless it's a big one like getting a job, having a child, etc. This year I will only recall a few of my favorite things about 2008 and list a few of my goals for 2009. This is a first for me, so be gentle in your comments.

2008:

• I really learned what being a homemaker meant (budgeting, toddler-hood, trying to juggle chores and a child, etc.)
• I started this blog that I hope turns into a great venture for me.
• I got my house in an order I like, but that still needs tweaking.
• I came to terms with not working outside of the home for a paycheck.
• I went to Disneyland a bunch.
  
• I learned A LOT more about my husband's company by helping quite a bit.
• I lost ALL my baby weight, just to start putting it back on with a second pregnancy.
• I learned how to shop for food to save more money.
• I also learned how to really wait on God for the little things, but forgot that he also took care of the big things too (this is something I need to improve on in 2009 as well)

2009

• I will go through all closets and give to a needy family anything that I don't wear, use, etc.
• I will read and pray more.
• I will have another baby (a BOY)
• I will learn what it means to juggle an infant and a toddler, oh ... and all the house stuff too.
• I will hopefully move (this one I count as tentative, but truly a hope)
• I will take Mercy to the park more.
• I will get another Disneyland Annual Pass (ok ... this is more of a hope).
  
• I will go camping as much as possible
• I will be a better version of me.

So, I hope you will all wish me luck, pray for my growing family and visit For Mercy's Sake as often as possible to see how well I accomplish my list. I have a feeling this year is going to be busy and fun.

Lesson Learned: We'll have to wait and see on this one.