Birthday Goals

It's a great day for a birthday!  Today I turn 41 and I'm wishing for a (one)derful year ahead!

I was debating birthday post ideas for today.  My favorite birthday post was probably when I had my parents write out my birth story from each of their perspectives in 2016.  I am guessing that neither was thrilled with the task, but I love that they did it for me.

This year has had some high highs - new job, new house, new city, new friends, new church, new neighbors, new school - lots of NEW.  I feel like I am just starting to catch my breath a bit and am eager for a holiday season that doesn't involve moving.  

The lows of the year have been things have also been all the NEW.  

It's a lot of work to relocate - being new everywhere you go, always feeling a little out of the loop, new family traditions, finding all new favorite spots, not feeling quite settled, figuring out life in a new city again and finding familiar routines and rhythms.  I have learned that it takes years to feel comfortable in a city and I'm eager for that to happen.  I'm hoping and praying we can keep settling in and finding our places in Evansville so that it feels like home.  About half the time I still write out the wrong address for myself when it asks for home address.  

Change is hard, but change is good :)  We are lucky to keep seeing reminders of all the good things that have come our way and all of the ways that God has taken care of our family.

I'm setting 5 birthday goals...

1 // Exercise

I've gotten into a good routine of walking every day the past few months and would love to look back a year from now and my exercise total land as close to 365 days as possible.  My streak is currently in the 80s.  I'm working on some adaptations for winter in the Midwest and am seeing lots of positive benefits of this routine in my life.

 

2 // Home 

Keep making our house a home.  We've been working on this for the past 11 months and still have big plans in the works.  We've done everything from built ins, new furniture, new trees and are working on a fire pit!  We've got big plans for our home.

 

3 //  Hobbies

I am not thrilled with how much screen time I logged this year so I'm hoping to work hard to focus my attention elsewhere for the coming year.  I enjoy reading, baking, organizing, decorating, traveling with my family and more.  I'd love for my focus in all of those areas to go up and my screen time go down.

4 // Friends & Family

I know this one takes time, but our whole family is dedicated to continuing to work on making friends.  The kids give me regular friend reports from school - new friend prospects or progress that they're making.  I do the same with friend prospects.  It has been a bonding experience to know that we are all trying to make new friends.  It's awkward and sometimes it doesn't work out, but we are trying.  At home we'll be making our time together count.  Games, puzzles, shared activities in our cozy home.

5 //New

Try some new things this year!  I honestly have no idea what this means, but I'll be on the lookout for new opportunities :)

Thanks for sticking around here!!  I love and appreciate you all so much.

In the comments, please tell me what you'd love to see more of in the coming year!!!