Month: January 2010

Here are some things that Santa brought the Johnson family:

Isaac: Magnetix, Legos, Sum Swamp board game (learn how to add and subtract while having fun), Transformers (Thanks Aunt Debbie!), etc.

Sydney: Knitting needles, knitting books, yarn, scrap-booking and card making supplies, Egyptian board game, etc.

(Grandma Johnson got a subscription to National Geographic for Kids – thanks grandma!)

Liz: The only official Christmas Day present for me were the books The Real George Washington and The Real Benjamin Franklin from my mommy. But some “early” Christmas presents of mine include my Glock 23 (a handgun), Spanish Rosetta Stone software, and my iTouch. Janice also got me a subscription to Family Fun magazine – that should come in handy with coming up with activities and crafts for homeschool!

Peter: The kids picked out a tie for Peter that has all of the books from the New Testament on it. I picked out a plaid button-down shirt for him. He also got a lump of coal in his stocking. But that’s not all – his “early” Christmas gifts include a new Canon digital camera, a notebook laptop, an AR-15 (a scary looking rifle that gun-banners think should be banned simply because it looks scary), and a Ford F150 truck.

Well, it’s 12:19 AM EST here in Florida on January 1, 2010. Why I am still awake is beyond me; the rest of my family went to bed long ago. I don’t usually stay awake on New Year’s Eve but I think the brownie sundae I ate earlier (you know – that last delicious something before the New Year weight loss goal?) has left me with a less-than-desirous feeling to lay down and develop indigestion.

I thought I would just take a minute to share my goals for this year. Last year I spent time each month reviewing my goals and checking my progress and hope to do the same this year; this method was helpful in keeping on track. This year I have several goals, but plan to make reasonable steps that can be accomplished in 1-3 months at a time so they are not overwhelming.

Here are my goals for 2010 by category:

Spiritual

• Finish Book of Mormon by March/April (I am already more than half-way through)

• Take about 30 minutes each week for quiet meditation (what’s that?)

• Write down promptings and follow up on them

Physical

• Lose 10 pounds (it wouldn’t feel like New Year’s without adding this – however, I am going to make reasonable month by month goals to make this possible). I hate adding this to the list every year… Anyone have any good suggestions?

• Plan dinner menus in advance

Personal

• No over-spending on my allowance (although I am a budget FREAK and I know where every cent is spent, I ALWAYS spend way over my personal allowance budget – the first thing I am doing is simply raising my allowance budget – unlike congress who raises the debt ceiling by trillions of dollars at a time, I am simply raising a budgeted line item within our family’s income possibilities…)

• Journal entry and blog writing each week. Even if it’s just something quick and simple.

Skills/Crafts

• Begin knitting (I’m really excited about this one. So far I have learned how to cast on and do a regular knit stitch.) I just spent my allowance (don’t worry – I came in about $10 UNDER my allowance limit) ordering some bamboo knitting needles and instructional knitting books. I have also found some excellent demos online. I have to learn how to knit because I got Sydney some knitting supplies for Christmas – all in an effort to force myself how to learn – she can’t wait for me to show her how! Wish me luck…

• Finish levels 1-2 of Spanish Rosetta Stone program. Yes. We are the crazy new homeschooling family. I feel the need to teach my kids a foreign language. But one that is useful in the great USA. So far I can say things in Spanish like “The women swim” and “The boy does not have an apple.” I have a feeling I am going to need to get beyond this point to speak with the Spanish-speaking members of our ward. So far I am LOVING the software we bought!

• Make a new quilt top for our bed. I’m going to be reasonable on this goal. It may simply find it’s way to my 2011 goal list. I have picked out a pattern that was approved by Peter (not that it would stop me from making one that he didn’t put his stamp of approval on).

Right now I feel like my 2010 goals are reasonable – most requiring very little work; just a consistent effort and some sheer will-power (remember that allowance thing?

Happy New Year!