New Year Goals | 2015

I made these goals at the first of the year and am finally sitting down to write this post.  There have been lots of goals and resolutions floating in bogland the last week and I think even though we say most resolutions only last a couple of weeks, I still believe in making yourself sit and reflect on things you would like to improve and maybe throughout the year you will at least think a little more before you do.  That's my hopes any ways.  

1. Take a photography Class - I'm not sure what we have locally for photography classes, but I would love to take a class and learn more about shooting in Manual.  I've started by watching a few YouTube tutorials which really are helpful and learned a little about shooting in AV mode, but I want to learn more!!

2. Go to Pure Barre 3x/Week {at least} - Our new Pure Barre opened just downed the street from me and I couldn't be happier.  They started classes the last week of the year and I took my first class on January 3rd.  So far, I've been to 3 classes.  I love it! 

3. Prepare food on Sundays for the week- This one is always tough for me, but it makes such a difference when I do!  I love having things ready to grab and go for lunch and even a few breakfast options ready to go too.  

4. Read Books (again) - I seriously went the entire year in 2014 without reading a book.  It makes me so sad.  I want to read again.  I got caught up and reading blogs and watching too much TV at night that I didn't make any time to sit down with a book.  Do you guys ever feel like you are ignoring your husband when you are reading a book in the bed??  I kind of feel that guilt sometimes...

5. Explore our city with Brody - We really have some great places around town to go visit and start taking Brody to explore. We have some great museums including an amazing Naval Air Museum that I haven't been to in years.  I think Brody is now at a great age to enjoy it.  

6. Create a budget- I'm not a good budget gal.  I said it.  Matt and I have already started trying to find ways to cut back on spending.  I feel like we spend a fortune on groceries and the truth is I think we spend less as a whole on food because we don't go out to eat like we did pre-baby.  I also need to manage my spending on clothing and things for me and Brody.  It brings me so much happiness to shop for my son that I can hardly help myself!  But I know I can do better. 

7. Grow the blog and learn more about blogging - This has been such an unexpected and amazing outlet of happiness for me over the last two years.  I love sharing, learning, and documenting our lives and receiving wonderful and helpful feedback from all of you.  For the first year, I kept this little blog mostly hidden and too myself; but it's really been so much more fun now that I have all of you to share it with.  I hope to continue to learn more about blogging find ways to grow it even more.

8. Learn Adobe Lightroom - This goes hand and hand with my goal above on growing the blog and also being a better photographer.  I really love photography and want to be better and better at it.  Matt gave me Lightroom for Christmas and now I have to be sure to learn how to use it.  Does anyone else use this program???

9. Be thoughtful - I want to make sure that I continue to think about others.  Some days it's so easy for me to be wrapped up in life of me and Brody and then make sure I have dinner on the table when hubby gets home and I haven't thought much outside our little bubble. I want to write hand written notes and send them snail mail for no reason at all or leave my husband or family small notes to tell them how thankful I am to have them in my life. 

10. Give Back- There are so many different ways to give back and I need to do a better job of taking advantage of those.  I spent the last year mostly focusing on my family and raising Brody, but I think I have the time now to start giving back in small ways. 

So there you have it...Ten of my goals for the new year!  I'm sure I'll be giving updates along the way with what seems to be working and what hasn't, but hopefully this will keep me just a tiny bit more accountable!