New Years Resolutions....To the little ones, it's the little things that count

I haven't posted any New Year's Resolutions...but will.
My first Resolution is to write some Resolutions.
I would laugh if that was funny.

I can be such a procrastinator.

I do well to switch the calendar in my kitchen to January.
(I won't admit that beautiful the whiteboard calendar /organizer from Pottery Barn that I desperately wanted and promised my husband I would "SO TOTALLY USE ALL THE TIME" still reads "September")

I do have goals for this coming year; I'm still processing them.
That could be code for I really am thinking seriously about them - or I've just procrastinated again.

Usually, in place of typical "New Year's Resolutions" I spend some time in November taking stock of where I'm at in life (sort of like life-spring-cleaning-in-the-fall) and try to get my act together.

Perhaps that's my way of giving myself a head start and not 'officially' feeling like a failure when I don't stick to my New Year List.

November has come and gone and I just didn't get around to it this year.
I did think about it a lot. (enter that procrastination thing again)

Anyhow, I'll share one of my goals I have processed....
I want to be more pro-active about making sure the things that are important to our kids happen.
That is, not just the things I think should be important to my kids.

I've noticed that it truly is the small things that make a difference and form an imprint in their memories.

I don't know why if it takes such little effort to please them, I don't spend more time doing those little things I know make them happy.

Like letting them stir the ingredients in when I'm making macaroni & cheese,

taking just one of them walk with me to the mailbox,

choosing one of them to stay up late and help me fold the laundry (that's one I should be jumping on!)

And the list goes on.

It's amazing how they are able to keep track of who did what last, and whose turn it is to do those little things.
They can tell you who went to 7-eleven with Daddy last,
whose turn it is to go scrapbooking with me,
who got to take a shower/bath in our bathroom last weekend....

I often see the record-keeping as annoying (it really is)
But I want to see it as a reminder that the little things really do count in their eyes.

My husband's time with the girls is more limited (with work and all)
But, because of that he tends to be more proactive with those little things that make a big difference, where I get into a daily rut.

So, this morning, as my husband takes our seven-year old to work with him (He's off today but had to go in for a few hours), I will try to find a couple of things that will be a big deal to our other two.
It may be painting nails or coloring in a coloring book. But it will be 30 minutes that will be worth hours to them.

And as part of my New Year's Resolutions that I hope to have on paper by February, I will make a note to put some thought each week into what I can do with each child to create some personalized memories for them.

At least I can count on them to keep track of whose turn it is!

Samantha and Daddy off to deliver pies to Daddy's employees on Thanksgiving Day 2008

Savannah and Daddy golfing on Thanksgiving Day this year

New Year's Eve in Las Vegas

It's not as glamorous as it sounds.
And we love it.
We had our glamour years 'pre-kids' when my husband worked for a decade in the gaming business. We are now content with never setting foot near a casino on New Year's Eve again!
Last night we allowed the kids to stay up late (Read: 9pm at our house), we ate take out, I fell asleep while watching a movie and woke up at 11:30, just in time to ring in the New Year properly. Night owl that I am, unless some sort of project is keeping me up, I'm sound asleep...I would have been perfectly content sleeping through to 2009, but being married to a commemorator, there are certain sacrifices that are worth making...
We have a great view of the Strip from our deck, which in years past was great for both 4th of July and New Year's Eve fireworks. But, after the Monte Carlo fire this year, hotels chose not to shoot the fireworks from the rooftops. So after 2 minutes of a somewhat obstructed view, we moved back inside and watched the remaining 6 minutes of fireworks on television. Much better. We were warm by the fire, could hear the music the show was choreographed to, and had a great view of all the excitement.....excitement we were more than glad to be missing, while our children slept peacefully down the hall. This is the life. To top it off, we woke up this morning without feeling as though we had been run over by a truck which I'm sure is not the case for many that were celebrating on the Strip last night!
This past year has held oh, so many ups and downs (what year doesn't?) and we are thankful for another one to serve the Lord and enjoy His blessings. I am a strong believer that we should not wait until New Year's Day to make resolutions, take stock of our lives, look at where we have come from and evaluate where we are headed. (I make resolutions regularly) But, I also believe we should not miss an opportunity (such as a new year) to turn over a new leaf, start some new habits, ditch some bad ones and who knows, since the rest of the world is doing it too, you may find some support!

One of my favorite promises in the Bible is this:
"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3)
God's mercies are new EVERY morning, this first day of 2009 and through the rest of the year!


Looking for a New Year's Resolution with daily and eternal value? Check out Hilary's December Challenge and make it your 2009 goal!