New Year, Better Me

Every New Years I reflect on the past year and come to the realization that no matter how great the year was, I never stick to the resolutions made.  Those broken resolutions don't take away from the events of the year, but I've yet to be able to take satisfaction in ending the "old" year with the same bang of welcoming in the "new" year.  I've had the same resolutions year after year, for as long as I can remember.  Lose 20 pounds, eat better, yada yada yada.  And I can tell you, usually by March those resolutions are long forgotten!  This year, I have decided to take a different approach and make resolutions that don't change who I am, but make me a better me.  A better mom, a better wife, a better friend, and a better me.  By putting my resolutions on my blog, I am hoping that those of you that read will help keep me accountable this year!

1. Run 12 races in 12 months. The plan is to start with a few 5Ks , then 10Ks, then a few half marathons.  I've started off on the right foot so far by running the Resolution Run on New Year's Day!  It was POURING down rain the entire race, but I did pretty good considering I haven't run a race in over a year.  My official time was 35:20.  I'm already signed up for my February and March races and can't wait!

2. Big Poppa and I both agreed that we need to plan more date nights.  With him travelling for work as much as he does, and just the hustle and bustle of life with a one year old, we have had very few planned date nights.  Hopefully we can get these dates into our calendars and get the sitter booked!

3. Read 12 books in 12 months.  I love to read and used to look forward to summer breaks when teaching so I could read for pleasure!  I would read 14 books in three months with time left over!!  You'd think being a stay at home mom, I would be reading all the time, but I'm not!  So, taking an idea from some of the other blogs I read, I've decided to assign myself a book a month.  If I read more, great!  If not, I've at least read 12!  (There will be a separate post with the books of 2011!)

4. We've been in Casa de D since July.  I'd really like to get more involved now that we seem to be settled!  I'd like to join Junior League since it's a perfect blend of volunteering and working in the community, but the county I live in doesn't have one.  The neighboring counties do, and I'm not opposed to joining one of one those, but I wish we had one here :(

5. Since we've moved so much in the last eight years, I've made some really great friends.  With that being said, those friends are of course scattered throughout the U.S.  While Christmas cards get exchanged and Facebook posts are swapped randomly throughout the year, I would like to get better about keeping in constant touch with everyone and trying to get together when possible!

There are a few more that I am still tossing around, but I think these five are for sure!  What are you going to do this year to become a better you??