2017 GOALS | part one

I'm still working on the action steps, but I have my "whats" and "whys". Realistically, I know a good chunk of this year is going to be about surviving. A new baby means sleep will be lacking, as will time to myself and my ability to have clear coherent thoughts most of the time. My goals this year are really "big picture", I've have had some 'action steps' written down and just haven't really gotten them rolling yet. I have a lot of little things to do to get ready for baby (including quite a bit of work to prepare considering I'll have a newborn the last month or so of my spring and yearlong courses and no maternity leave).  The idea of coming up with strict goals for this year with strict action steps I would likely not follow through with was really stressful and overwhelming so instead, I'm just focusing on the big picture.

Our pastor encourages us to come up with a word for the year of what we want to define or describe what God will do in our life. Nothing really came to mind for me so I asked Marshall what his was. He chose abide from one of our new songs we sing at church Hallelujah, Here Below. It's one of my favorites. I love the message and perspective. So much.

We are an altar of broken stones

But you delight in the offering

You have the heavens to call your home

But you abide in the song we sing

Ten thousand angels surround your throne

To bring you praise that will never cease

But hallelujah from here below

Is still your favorite melody

And should the fire that once burned bright

Become an ember my eyes can't see

I will remember your sacrifice

I will abide in your love for me

Jesus Christ our king enthroned

all the praise is yours forevermore

Hallelujah, Here below

All the praise is yours, forevermore

Let this be me this year! In the hours of pain, labor and delivery, where time stands still.  In the fog and cloudiness of early postpartum days. In the  eternal, seemingly never ending weeks and months of sleep deprivation and healing in my body. In the moments of toddler tantrums and crying babies. In the heaps of laundry, piles of dishes, accumulating dirt and dog hair. In the unanswered emails, text messages and assignments ungraded. In the reality of something always left neglected, unfinished, incomplete and undone. Let me abide in your love for me, survive on your word, rely on your truths and believe the promises for my future. This is my big picture for 2017. 

2017: Abide 

2016: Thrive

2015: Simplify

2014: Goals

So here's my big picture. I wasn't sure how to categorize them this year. It's a combo of what worked, what didn't work, what I want to make time for and actions I guess for abiding.

Maintain. 

• Diet. 
• Routines.
• Personal photo taking and organization. Digital workflow with Lightroom and uploading to personal Smugmug. 

Improve.

• Time management at home. 
• Adhere to chore/housework rotation to do a little bit daily, so I don't feel overwhelmed when it all starts to pile up. 
• Finish work during the day. / Improve workflow to be more efficient. 
• Online storage of RAW files.
• iPhone photos. Take less, delete more, keep fewer. 

Enjoy.

• Family time! 2+ a week, finish work before Marshall gets home so we can unwind, cook dinner, and play with Lincoln before bedtime and have QT after bedtime (aka play Monopoly Deal) 
• Baby books! Yes, plural. I still haven't finished Lincoln's. Finish Lincoln's, prepare baby girl's so once she's here all I have to do is write stuff down and print photos. 
• Print pictures for our photo wall from 2016 and 2017. 
• Order/finish my 2016 Chatbook (I currently have a ticket open with them, I have three stubborn photos that won't go into my book....).  
• Read for fun (post forthcoming with books for the year!) 
• Take care of myself. 6k step goal daily, water daily, vegetables + vitamins daily. Smoothies 2x a week, broth 2x a week. relaxing baths 2x a week. 
• Enjoy newborn days. No visitors first two weeks (sorry, but also not sorry!). Sleep, recover, nurse and savor! 
• Make seasonal goals/bucket lists for quality family time. 

Abide. 

• Read and study the Bible frequently. 
• Listen to uplifting, encouraging podcasts.
• Pray frequently.

Happy New Year!