Goals for 2013

To be honest, I've never made a New Year's resolution.  In my whole life.  Ever.  I don't know why.  It's not that I don't believe in them - I'm always supportive of people setting goals and trying to better themselves and their lives.  In truth, I've never been one to set a resolution because I just don't like the idea of putting the extra pressure on myself.  But I do like the idea of setting goals and really striving to meet those goals.  That doesn't seem so daunting.  So I've decided to put pen and paper (or in this case - fingers to keys) to my goals and get them out of my head.  That way at the end of the year, I can take a look back and see how well (or not so well) I did.  So let's discuss:

Get Organized!!
This is something that I generally struggle with.  Not because I don't start out organized, but because I have a hard time maintaining that organization.  When I'm short on time, patience or sleep I tend to let the details slip little by little and then next thing I know, I'm an unorganized mess again.  I plan to maintain better organization this year by:

• Implementing a family organization "bible" if you will.  This will actually be my 2nd year to own one of these awesome little planners.  I LOVE it.  In 2012, this was my only source of organization and I'm building on it this year.  I can't say enough great things about the "life planner".  It's especially well suited for our large family.  I carry it in my purse and take it to work, as well as all of our appointments. 
• Set a weekly meal plan.  Hopefully, these will be written in said planner.  I usually only buy our main supply of groceries every two weeks, so this may end up being a two-week meal plan thing so that I can have all groceries on hand.  At the rate I'm at now, I feel like I am in the grocery store 3-4 times a week buying one or two items that I have forgotten or that we've ran out of and that is the LAST place I want to be after working all day.
• Get the house organized in a more functional way.  Sighhhh - I'm not sure how I'm going to do this one.  I'm not even really sure how to describe what I mean.  We completed the playroom last year in hopes that the Toys R Us showroom would move out of our living room and down to one organized spot.  But we still have things in our living room and kitchen areas that I would like to see in other places - legos, playdough, board games, craft supplies - all things that I don't necessarily trust them with alone in the playroom.  Also up for organization - magazines, kitchen areas (mail/paper dump baskets, pantry, cabinets and drawers), living room bookshelves, etc. 
• I also want to implement some sort of chore/responsibility system for the boys.  Not so much to pay them for (cause hey jack! I don't get paid to do those things either!) but mainly to teach them to be good boys who help around the house.  I also want to start teaching them about saving money too -  I just haven't figured out how to separate the two yet.  If you guys have any suggestions, let me know. 

Update The Kitchen!
Not a full "dream" update (cabinets, countertops and appliances) but most definitely paint, possibly a backsplash, and few other minor updates.  This is the only room in our house we haven't updated in the last couple of years and I HATE seeing the little finger prints on the dirty paint.  The magic eraser thing has gone as far as it can go.  I just have to decide on a color.  I want simple, clean and light, but I have medium cabinets and black appliances.  Who has suggestions - anyone???

Cook More!
We always eat at home (we may eat out 2xs a month) plus we eat at my in-law's once a week, but I feel like we're always eating the same things or taking the easy way out.  I'm hoping my meal planning will help.

Have More Fun As A Family!!
Here's the deal - both parents work Mon-Fri and at least 2 Saturdays a month.  This leaves 6-7 whole days a month for us to NOT work.  2-4 of those off days are spent cleaning the house, working in the yard, or other obligations (birthday parties, family gatherings, etc.)  Soooo when we get a day off, we tend to spend it lounging at home with the babies.  That's awesome and we really cherish those days, but Will's impending Kindergarten entrance has helped me realize that our babies are growing up and I want to spend our days making lasting memories with them.  I want to make more of an effort to take them out for fun.  Could be the park, could be weekly family nights, could be the zoo, could be Alaska... who knows?!  Let's just do it!

Be A Better Wife!
Let's face it - I'm a pretty amazing wife, but I want to be better.  I kid I kid ;)  With three little people climbing over each other to get to me and talking over each other to talk to me, it exhausts me.  I really don't see those things changing, but I do hope to carve out more time for one-on-one with Brandon.  I'm hoping we squeeze in a few "couple" trips this year, as well as make it a point to have more meaningful conversations and time together, rather than just using our time together to discuss the kids and clean the house.  I won't be slaving to pack his lunches or have his playstation controller all ready for play, but I do love him and want him to feel just as important to me as our 3 munckins because he IS.  One day these crazy kids precious babies will move out and it will just be the old man and me.  What happens if we don't nurture and keep that relationship current?  Why do you think so many people get divorced at 50 years old after 25 years of marriage?  They just spent 25 years raising kids and NOT maintaining the one relationship that brought those kids into the world.  It happens people.  I won't let us be one of them.  I love me some Brandon - and I want us to have those same feelings when we're 50.

So there it is... the things I would like to see happen this year.  No definite timelines, but definitely things to implement this year to make me a better person, mommy and wife.  I think I can I think I can I think I can....