Resolve 2011.

2010 was an amazing year for me. Left a job. Started a family. I really began a new chapter in my life. Experienced new levels of happiness, new kinds of fear. My experiences over the year have helped me to recognize some of my best personal qualities, but also some of my worst. I am choosing to use this knowledge to learn, and hopefully to grow into a better person over the coming year. So with that, here are my resolutions:

Eliminate envy. I have a lovely home, a comfortable life, plenty of stuff. In today's commercial, material world, it's easy to want for more, and I am so susceptible to envying a friend's car, house, whatever. I need to remember to be grateful for the many things I have, and quit comparing my life to others'. I read something I really liked not too long ago - it said, "Happiness isn't in getting what you want, it's in wanting what you've got." Good plan.

Practice patience. In some situations, I have endless patience. Somehow, I haven't been able to translate that patience to parenting as well as I would like. I hope over this year to begin growing into the parent I want to be - patient, understanding, consistent, kind.

Live in the moment. I often feel like I am waiting for life to start. Waiting for something to change, waiting for something to happen. With all this waiting, I'm missing out on life. I'm going to spend more time celebrating little moments and enjoying life while it's great, which is right now.

Lean on myself. I've gotten so used to being able to rely on my amazing family and friends when I'm having a tough time, I feel as though I've gotten wimpier. It's time to buck up just a little. :)

Stand up straight! From nine months of pregnancy and now infant toting motherhood, my posture has been beaten into submission. As my high school marching band teacher said "Shoulders Up, Back and Down!"

And in the true spirit of New Year's Resolutions...

Lose weight. I have fourteen baby pounds to go. Treadmill, here I come.

Wishing a very happy, peaceful New Year to you all.