Christmas break is over......normal life must resume...

So I am definitely not looking forward to going back to work.  Not that I don't like my job- I in fact enjoy it a lot. BUT nothing compares to the time I have with Blake.  The past two weeks have been absolutely amazing in that I have seen so many things develop.  His recognition of numerous things, his vocabulary and conversational understandings and just further development of his personality.   He truly is an amazing gift and I love him to the depths of my heart and soul.

Christmas was tough this year.  The anniversary of the loss of my grandpa and aunt loomed a bit over the holiday.  It was such a blessing to have Blake because his joy helped us make it through a difficult week.  I got to enjoy time with family and friends.  I even got some time to myself.

  Overall, the vacation was good and I got the recharge I needed.

As per tradition, I've contemplated my resolutions to better myself for 2014 (of course, I've also broken- delayed- these already) but here they are:

1.  Drink more water.  I am not a water drinker but need to be.  

2.  Exercise more regularly.  I enjoy going to the gym.  I just need to motivate myself to go.  I feel bad with the amount of time I'm away from Blake. (Now with the play beginning soon that's a bit more time). But if I can resolve myself to go after he's down to sleep because Lord knows I will not be a morning exerciser.... Maybe I will go.  But that throws a wrench into number 3.....

3.  Spend more "us" time with the husband.  Jonathan and I spend time together when little guy goes to bed.  But we need more unplugged time without iPads, cell phones, laptops, etc in the way.  I am honestly more to blame for this but we. Both need to work on it.

4.  Keeping on top of dishes and laundry.   I realize they are never ending chores but I really need to do a better job keeping the never ending from becoming overwhelming.  Too often I have clean clothes piles or dishes left in the dishwasher for longer than a day (ok 3-5 days)...  It gets to the point where I'm swamped and then I get frustrated.

5.  Make time for leisure reading.  Often I put other things ahead of this task that I enjoy.  Also, I need to read to Blake more.  I read to him but I don't feel like it is often enough.

6.  Cook more- keep on top of food shopping.   We make sure Blake has his food for the week but aren't as on with our own food.  I'm not saying we have no food but we often order out which we really cannot afford to do.  So I need to be more on top of ensuring there is food for our needs planned and in the fridge/pantry.

7. Be more financially responsible. Period.

So....that's a pretty healthy list of things but attainable.  They are things I really need to do.  They are things I can do.  

Here's to 2014....