Top 5 of 2013

   2013 ended with playing the farming game.

2014 began with playing the farming game.

Of course we took a break for the final countdown.

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1....Tears.

Yep, I cried when 2014 hit us.

Not that I'm sad about 2014....I'm actually really excited about it.

But, 2013 was such a great year for us.

I guess I had a hard time letting it go.

I learned so much about myself this year.

I learned how to be a better mother & wife.

I learned that I'm the best me when I'm doing exactly what I need to be doing....

being the best mommy I can be.

I could never write all the great & memorable things for us this year...

But, perhaps these are my top 5 favorite moments of 2013.

1. Getting braces.  Not that getting braces was a favorite thing...But, believe it or not, I have been really humbled & have learned that appearance isn't everything.  Getting braces was one of the hardest things I did in 2013.  Getting braces made me SO SELF CONSCIENCE...I have never felt so uncomfortable in my own skin before.  Having braces as an adult has been a really embarrassing experience for me.  Not until recently, I have come to terms that it doesn't matter.  All my family still loves me.  My friends still think I'm cool. And Blake & London adore me.  A great lesson was learned in 2013 for me through getting braces.
2. Hawaii Vacation.  The only big vacation we took in 2013.  It was a much needed break from parenthood.  Lots of relaxing & many adventures took place in Hawaii for us.
3. Our summer.  Last summer was so crazy.  We lived in a hotel for the first half & although it was really tough.....we sure learned that we can do hard things.  Despite all the moving around & crazy schedule, I ended up falling in love with the New Orleans area.  I experienced many firsts, sweated more than I thought possible, & ate the best food around.
4. Running a marathon.  My greatest physical achievement.  My hardest physical achievement.  I learned 3 great lessons by running a marathon. 1.  I can do hard things.  2.  I can stick to an extreme goal. 3.  I never want to do it again.
5. Pirates Cove Family Vacation.  My favorite vacation yet.  It was such a blast & I LOVED having London with us.  

I thought it would be fitting to review my 2013 goals & reflect on which ones were accomplished.  I learned in 2013 that goal making & keeping is much harder than I would have thought.  I learned that goals that are meant for everyday....example...read my scriptures everyday....is not a good goal for me.  Because, if I forgot one day, my goal was broken.  A better goal would have been: read half the Book of Mormon, or read the entire Book of Mormon.

Anyway, lots of my goals were kept, but many were not.  

Accomplished.

Not accomplished. 

  

Spiritual Goals:

• Read the scriptures/pray daily.
• Read President Hinckley's biography.

Physical Goals:

• Run a half marathon.
• Run a marathon.

Family Goals:

• Family Prayer nightly, & teach London how to pray.

Parenting Goals:

• Spend 45 min(completely distraction free) playing with London each day.
• Teach London how to count to 10 & colors. 
• Get rid of London's Binky.

Healthy Lifestyle Goals:

• Only eat snacks/treats/candy twice a week.
• Get a juicer. Eat a green smoothie daily.

Intellectual Goals:

•  Read hobbit/Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
• Be politically aware.

Marriage Goals:

• Go on 3 dates a month without London.
• Go out of my way to do something nice for Blake daily.

Work Goals:

• Photograph a live birth.
• Work on keeping my teaching license up to date.
• Finish my children's book & work on getting it published.

Fun Goals:

• Take an art class.
• Go on a multi-day hiking trip.
• Release a sky lantern.. like on tangled.

Optional/Random Other Goals:

• Get straight teeth.
• Take a picture a day... depicting something about me.