As we come to the end of 2014, I want to talk about my goals and intentions for the new year. This kind of fresh start is all mental, of course, but it really works for me.

After having a baby at the beginning of 2014, the rest of the year was focused on finding my footing as a mom of two, making adjustments, and getting healthy again. I did whole30, started running again, and made daily Bible study a priority. I will constantly be working on my spiritual and physical health, as well as the work/family/personal juggle, but I do feel like I have a basic framework in place. In fact, let me go over that:

Spiritual:

>Wake up early every single day (4:30 or 5 a.m. for Bible study, prayer, and personal journaling). This doesn’t always happen if a child is up too early,

>Involvement at church.

>To work on: prayer life, giving, volunteering

Health:

>Eating – paleo is ideal, but “real food” with the least amount of processed ingredients is what I’ve been aiming for.

>Exercising – after my half marathons are complete, I want to continue running shorter races and do other exercise 2x per week.

>To work on: clean up eating (I’ve been indulging in too many Christmas treats, so I’m going to do a week’s reset), take my vitamins, use essential oils, finalize new exercise plan

Time balance:

>When I’m at work I’m all there, but leave early whenever possible.

>Right after work 3x/week I can exercise – run or go to the gym.

>Weeknights – all family time. Cook dinner, eat together (most nights), play. Go to bed early. Don’t plan anything except dinner with grandparents or occasional church activity.

>Weekends – lots of family time too, chores done with kids around, David does grocery shopping. Schedule kid-free time for: long runs (until races complete), date nights (once a month – grandparents babysit), alone time for personal projects (memory keeping, blogging, reading, crafts). I need this every week if possible for at least a couple of hours. Eventually I would also like to be able to stay up an hour or two after the kids go to sleep. :)

>To work on: when I build up PTO, schedule one personal day off per month. Figure out a better way to fit blogging and reading in.

For 2015, I want to improve on some nonessential, personal areas. These are all important to me, but they take a back seat to the previous areas. Here are the areas I’m thinking about:

>Nagging tasks

>Purchases (mostly small) that would increase my happiness or quality of life

>Style & beauty

>Memory keeping

>Blogging

I’m taking a three-fold approach to goals for 2015: one overarching, big intention unrelated to other things (which for me is going to be financial and I probably won’t be blogging much about it), participating in Ali Edwards’ One Little Word class (and this will have challenges along with it – more on my word soon), and going back to monthly goals. The monthly goals are going to be where I address the nonessential areas above, or at least that’s the plan. Hopefully they will also relate to my word.

I’ll be sharing more about all of the above in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime look for updates of the regular kind around here. On Wednesday the kids and I are heading up to visit some good friends for a couple of days for their annual NYE party. Sadly, David has to work so we have to go alone and I’m a little nervous…but I will not be deterred, even by a 5-hour road trip with two kids!

Thanks for sticking with me all this time, and especially now as I figure out my new “blogging normal.” I have lots of ideas for the future, but only time will tell if I can make them happen. :)