[when looking for a cover photo I almost went with THIS b/c it was funny … but I decided to stick with the fanciful birds trekking the globe instead]

Here are my New Year’s Resolutions for all of you out there.  I know we’re like 3 weeks in, but you know I wanted to make sure before I rolled it out.  Also, I’ll need your help to keep me in check.  It helps me to write out my goals in order for me to actually conquer them (I accomplished so much in 2011 because of lists!).  So here goes it: 

1  REDO’S - Every year these are always at the top on my resolution list.  They are all redo’s because I pretty much fail at them.  The diet & exercise.  Drinking more water.  

You have no idea how hard it is for me to leave my hair down.  Seriously!  In 2006 I told my entire wing at ORU (about 20 girls) to keep me accountable for leaving my hair down twice a week.  That didn’t last long.  

Anyways.  Here they are.  Repeats.  Will I actually be able to get ahold of these?  I hope so!  I’m making some progress already.  

• wear my hair down more often
• get my exercise and diet back into check
• drink more water

2  GO SOMEWHERE I’VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE - I was browsing around on old blog posts and ran across THIS picture from the 365q project.  Still a big fan.  And I’m still waiting to hear about 52 Moments …

Anyways.  I liked this goal:  GO AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR TO A PLACE YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN BEFORE

Last August I actually got to do that.  I went to NYC for the first time.  So this year I have to go somewhere new.  I’m thinking Nashville since I have great friends out there.  Just have to figure out when.

3  RUN SOME RACES - When I was at ORU, we had to run every semester.  A 3 mile test.  So running 5K’s were no big deal.  It seemed like everyone ran 8 miles all the time for kicks or something.  I was not one of those people, but I did make 4 miles a norm in my life back then.

But now.  Not so much.  I’m SUPER out of shape.  But I’m trying.  I’m going to try to get some races under my belt this year.  5K, 10K, half, marathon.  That’s the progression, but I’ll be satisfied with a 10K.  A Disney Half Marathon would be sweet though (it would give me reason to go to FL and visit friends).  

4  ACTUALLY DO SOME THINGS ON MY PINTEREST - It’s nice having a simple way to visually catalog things that I like online, but it won’t do me any good unless I TRY some of them.  

So this year, that’s what I’m going to do.  I’m going to actually set out to try these recipes, these creative DIY projects, and incorporate some themes I find in photography (like balloons, bikes, or trash the dress sessions).  

I imagine it being a really awesome blog series in the future … like “THEIRS / MINE”

5  BE A BETTER GIVER - Last year I decided to start sending handwritten cards and packages more.  That was fun.  I’d like to build on top of that and keep the giving spirit going.  

I’ve sent Christmas cookie packages and Bestie Day packages in the past.  A dozen handwritten Rifle cards.  A birthday care package to a friend in China.  It feels good to give.

And I’m going to take that one step further.  Leave random big tips at restaurants.  Order stuff on people’s Amazon or Etsy wishlists for them.  Pay for someone else’s coffee in the Starbucks drive through.  Just because.  

Here’s a good blog post that I found that really puts the giving/trusting God with money in perspective:  10% / 5% by TJ Mousetis