Happy New Year!

This year, I'm making resolutions.  I never make them.  But this year?  I'm making them.

In 2009,

1.  I will smile more often.  I will smile at strangers and friends.  I will smile at my kids all day long.  I will smile when I feel like yelling, in hopes of diffusing anger.  I will smile when someone frowns, in hopes of brightening a day.

2.  I will laugh more easily.  I will not take myself too seriously.  I will laugh at the antics of my kids (and my husband).  I will laugh in the face of stressors.  As often as I can, I will laugh so hard it hurts my stomach. (Laughing is a great workout!)  I will seek out others to laugh with me.  My house will ring with laughter day in and day out.

3.  I will be more generous to those in need.  I will cheerfully share a smile, a dollar, my time, a hug, whatever is needed.  I will seek opportunities to help others.  I will teach my kids to share well and share often, both with family and friends as well as those we don't know.

4.  I will live in the moment.  My time with my kids will not perpetually marred by a multi-tasking mom.  I'll take time daily to get down on the floor and play.  I'll actively listen to others and stop thinking of my next step in the day.

5.  I will TRY not to stress about having another baby while my second born is merely 15 months.  (TRY!  I said, TRY!)

6.  I will pray often.

7.  I will drink more water.

8.  I will seek out the beautiful moments in life and embrace them with every ounce of my being.  Because those still, small moments are what make life on this planet worth living. 

Happy New Year, everyone!  May your 2009 be heaped full of what makes life beautiful.