I love reading blogs...

and yet, when it comes to my own, I'm horrible. I have about a gazillion pictures and experiences to write about, but I don't even know where to start. I kind of want to bury my head in the sand and just pretend that I did it already. The problem is, this is supposed to be my journal for my children and future posterity and it doesn't count if I take pictures and then do nothing with them. But for the sake of time and my sanity, I will try and condense the comings and goings of the Haws family.

After our summer grand tour to see family and friends, we made it back to Irving in time to celebrate Drew's birthday. August quickly passed as we got Nathan ready for his first day of school and Drew for pre-school. Before we knew it, October was upon us and we were swamped in birthdays (Maggie, myself and Nate), holiday celebrations and dance practices (see hoedown throwdown video). November flew by as we made plans to celebrate Thanksgiving here at home and Christmas down in San Antonio. A few days after we returned home from the Davidsons in San Antonio, Magg and I flew out to San Jose to see my family and to help my dad clean out the house. I've just recently returned and now I'm trying to find some kind of order and routine in my life again when all I want to do is cuddle up in blankets and read a good book and take a vacation from all our "vacationing".

It's actually really nice to be back in my life. I've had some great opportunities to be reminded of all the blessings I've been given in my life, to be reminded of all the wonderful people that are involved in my life, and to be reminded that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I so much desire to be worthy to live with my family forever. I didn't take the opportunity to write down my New Year's Resolutions/Goals this year as I was away from my home, but I would like to take the opportunity now. I've been thinking about what my goals need to be and who I ultimately want to be in a year...The problem I'm facing is that there are too many goals to realisically achieve. I've decided to compartamentalize them:

Spiritual
1. Read and prepare my lesson BEFORE Saturday
a. Read all the scriptures listed
b. Ponder and pray for the needs of my class
c. Pray for direction to know the Lord's desires for the class
2. Journal more frequently about my blessings and experiences...Not semi-annually. ;)
3. Be more diligent in my prayers. a. Recognize that I'm a steward/caregiver over Heavenly Father's precious
children and to seek His help to raise my little stewards.
b. Start and end my day in more meaningful prayer...on my knees!!!

Physical
1. To be revised MONTHLY: January
a. No soda
b. Follow my plan with exactness
c. Focus on the 12 steps of recovery, rather than the weight loss aspect.
2. Be more active in my day. a. Gym 3 times a week at the bare minimum.
b. Less "couch time" and more "wrestle time"

Mental
1. Find "Joy in the Journey" a. Find the blessings and ignore the heartaches
b. Look for ways to uplift and serve others rather than my struggles
c. More quickly express my gratitude for said struggles
2. Stop complaining a. Find and complete book reccommended by Meg.
3. Read more non-fiction and biographies of Church leaders a. Before I get to read, have I read my scriptures for the day?

Okay now comes the fun part. Print, READ OFTEN, and put into action the things I need to do to accomplish the goals and desires in my heart.