What Are Your Goals For the New Year?

I am not sure about you, but I have never really been one to sit down at the end of the year and make a list of new years resolutions.  I've just never seen the need to.  If I want to accomplish something I just do it, not wait until a new year to start.

However, the past year or so has been extremely hectic for our family.  Between family funerals, my husband's extremely insane business travels and consequent job change, our daughters health problems and just the day-to-day pace of living in Northern Virginia, we are exhausted.  It has caused me to sit back and wonder: Where has time gone? 

 So my main goal this year for our family can be summed up in one word: Simplify.  Get back to the basics.  I want to cut out all the unneccesary things in our life that take up too much time, and do more simple things together as a family.  Family game nights, walks in the park, that sort of thing.  I mean, even though we live only a 10-minute walk from Old Town Warrenton, we hardly get a chance to walk around the shops and eat at the local restaurants.  I think that is so sad.

 I know it won't be easy, and this area is hardly condusive to family life.  Commuting and working takes up a tremendous amount of our time during the week, leaving little energy to enjoy each other and the places around us. 

But, for us, family is important.  Our daughter is most happy when we are down on the floor playing with her.  Coloring, reading, cutting up papers and making pieces of art.  She doesn't care that we haven't walked around Fair Oaks Mall in a month, she's in heaven when we take her up for an apple juice at Borders.

So, will you join me in my goal of simplifying our lives?  What goals do you have for this coming year?

 From my home to your, I hope you have a safe and happy New Year!