Hello, Twenty-Fourteen

(Because most of our New Year's Eve this year was spent in a car traveling from Seattle to home, I thought I'd do a little throw back to our New Year's view from a year ago. It's one worth repeating.)

I don't believe there has ever been a time in my life where I've been excited for January. I've always accepted it and I've always found different ways to embrace it or get through it, but I've never been excited for it...until now.

As I became self aware of this excitment I wondered what about this January was different from the rest. Simply put, its because (for this five seconds) we're settled. If you remember last year at this time, we had just arrived in Sydney. This last year has been anything but dull and even after we moved back to Utah, it seemed like I was smacked (in a very good way) in the face with Ryder starting school, unpacking and then getting ready for the holidays. You know on your DVR how you have the option to fast forward  either one arrow, two arrows or if you're feeling lucky three arrows fast! Well, life lately has been "three arrows fast" and although its had a lot of good times, I'm really hoping January will be my "play" button. I just feel like I haven't been in a place for a really long time where life has allowed me time to slow down long enough to evaluate and make some goals. You know you're in desperate need of goals when making them actually sounds like fun.  Or maybe everyone would agree the types of goals I'm thinking of are fun.

For example, I want to read more books. I'm a sucker for the easy fictional reads and I would like to expand my library a little more into biographies, memoires and some history. I'm currently reading Elizabeth Smart's "My Story" which has been very interesting so far.

I am also trying to find ways to make my scripture study...well, actual study--not so much a breezy reading :) I've always wanted to be that person who could quote scripture from memory. I've got a loooong way to go.

I want to blog more! I love the name of my blog and thought long and hard about it and I'd love to devote more time into discussing hopeful things ranging from the serious to the laughable and light-hearted.  Plus, I'm never going to get a better record keeping system than this so I might as well be consistent.

I would also really like to record my parents' personal histories. Aside from needing these two people's lives on paper, I know I would find the whole thing so interesting. They are going to love me bugging them about it :)

Sing and play my guitar more. It something that gets put on the back burner a lot, but it sure is fun when I find the time to do it. Plus, Phil got a banjo for Christmas (still needs to learn to play it) so we're hoping to come up with a couple of rockin' duets.

I am also looking forward to slowly decorating my home. After moving here (and pretty much everywhere else I've lived) I quickly threw some stuff on the wall to make it look presentable, but I'm so excited to be in a place long enough to slowly collect and make things for my house that I love.

See? Goal making isn't so bad when it's totally centered around stuff you like. And for me a very hopeful thing to do to fight off the dreariness of winter.

Happy New Year!