New Years Thoughts and Goals

I've had some interesting objectives during past New Years. Learning a language. Aggressive Diet Plans. Getting back into Music Lessons. Well laid plans that for the time, that were not to be.

I love the New Year. I'm a compulsive list maker and goal setter. I love filling out my desk calendar and putting goals in the margins. I have columns and columns of lists on note pads. "Save for this item". "Update kids wardrobe". "Visit east coast". I love future planning with hope and optimism, even if the execution never comes to pass, its so fun to plan.


I didn't rush to my notepad this year. I have been feeling more thoughtful. We have had an incredible past few years. Very intense, full of changes, new children, new jobs, in and out of school. I am feeling blessed and sort of calm--- instead of feeling Rah- Rah-Roaring to go chase down a huge ambitious list. Maybe I feel this way because we went through SO MUCH CHANGE over the last year alone.

I give you:
The BEST and the WORST of 2011 - Gilbert Family Style

Some unpleasant things, like Emergency Room visits, went down last year. Other changes, like moving to our first good sized home since having kids, have been wonderful.

WORST

JAN - FEB 2011 Justin was studying to take the CA BAR. It was intense because he needed to be gone, mentally and physically. I joined a Moms Club to help me pass the time.

WORST and BEST

MARCH - MAY 2011 We awaited the BAR results. Painful, but rewarding in the end.

BEST

JUNE and JULY- Justin has two job offers, we said goodbye to El Dorado, prepared to move to BAKERSFIELD CA. Picked a house. And at the last moment felt it best to accept a job offer in Sacramento instead.

WORST

AUGUST and SEPTEMBER.... Peyton got into some RAT POISON (at a camp ground) in August. I wasn't sure how to post about that. She and I spent an afternoon in the hospital while they gave her charcoal solution mixed with chocolate and tested her blood a few times.They wound up having to draw the blood FROM HER HEAD.  Luckily it was just the one rat pellet I removed from her mouth and they found zero toxicity in her blood stream. That was a brutal day. About 4 hours later, we were better safe than sorry. 

WORST
... I went to emergency room in August too. I had a horrible skin rash thing on my hands and it was so out of control I couldn't sleep, wash my hands, hold the kids. It was a short visit to the ER but definitely a signal to me of needing to take better care of my self.

BEST and WORST

...In SEPT 2011 we moved to Folsom. Great move. Awesome house, yard, terrific neighbors and fun ward. Medically, about a week in, I had a horrible discomfort in my right THUMB. Random! It turned out to be an infection from a splinter or a thistle from when I had brushed against some weeds. It caused a ton of pressure and my thumb was throbbing. I couldn't hold the kids, clean, type on the computer. When I went into Mercy Folsom ER, they gave me antibiotics. Another random physical breakdown of the body which signaled to me I need to be more aware of my health, my surroundings, getting rest.

WORST
AUG-OCT 2011.  I had major sleep issues. Once Peyton was sleeping well through the night, I still wasn't. I would wake up for hours and just lie there. And I'm a 9-hour a night gal when it comes to optimal functioning. I know people where 6 hours is plenty but I need 8-9. So I was really suffering with the sleep stuff, somedays feeling like driving down the road wasn't safe. Had conversations with friends where I would forget what I was saying, where the conversation was supposed to go. Pregnancy, recovery and Sleep Deficit really did a number on me.  The short end to the story is I tried everything from sleeping pills, NyQuil, homeopathics that didn't work. And finally my dad recommended "GABA" and it changed everything. Its a homeopathic supplement that helps the brain relax but doesn't force your body to sleep. It felt life changing to start to get some sleep again!

BEST

In AUG I also lost 11 lbs. It was a big one for me. I was making NO PROGRESS in working out and typical dieting. I finally bought an Isagenix cleanse and it did wonders for me! With my sleep in balance again my hunger remained in control and I felt like my cravings were manageable.

BEST

OCTOBER 2011-- This was my golden month of the year. I felt like I was in my prime. I was my lowest weight, but I felt like I had tons of energy. My sleep was restored. We had completed our move and everything was unpacked. We were entering a new social circle in our Folsom community. I was getting into the Halloween spirit. We had 2 parties. A Dessert Night, for young couples in our ward, and a rocking Kids Halloween playdate, which I hope to make an annual thing.

In October we bought me a newer car! A 2008 Toyota Highlander - love it

BEST

NOVEMBER - DEC 2011 - We had a joyful Holiday season. So much fun planning, decorating and being together-- I couldn't ask for a better finish to our year. It was truly great.

????

We almost ended the year with a New Years Party. I've always wanted to be the New Year's house, I detest the idea of watching cheesy celebs and sub-par musicans escort me through the count down and ring in my new year. We almost celebrated with a house party but had to pull the plug when the holiday craze became overwhelming, and fatigue and cold symptoms began to set it.

So what are my goals? Still trying to pin them down.

1. I like this one -- Give my kids baby massage at bedtime. Someone suggested this to me last week and the idea has just stayed with me, and last night each of the kids got a 5 minute massage with lavendar lotion and they were so still and content and it relaxed me too. Surprising! And I'm pretty sure the kids went to bed easier too.  

2. Get more rest. I think seriously trying to go to bed by 9:30 is a great goal. Hoping to add more naps into my weekends. Having rest always gives me a lift to my day!

3. More Gospel centered living. I definitely need the strength and comfort and power that a strong testimony of the gospel gives. I feel like I have been coasting too much in this area and I feel the need to do more reading, pondering and relying on the Lord.


4. Read More- Reading is my escape that trumps all other escapes. I'm planning to try reading some completely new authors this year and open myself up to new experiences this way.

5. Memorize some Great SOUP recipes and make them often! Soup makes me happy, and homemade can be incredibly healthy and tasty. Worth a go.

6. Bust out a GARDEN. I don't love to garden, I never really had the desire to care for plants. To weed and nurture and check on it all... but we have a terrific yard, and it would be such a waste not to have flowers that shout out the colors of spring. And a little weeding out front keeps the yard looking fresh and tidy. Definitely needs doing. Finally, we have a great empty side yard and I think some tomatoes, cucumbers, and zuchini would be a real treat to eat fresh this summer.

7. Have a good pregnancy. I'm about to have 3 children walking all over me starting mid-year (June/July), so smooth sailing until then would be a treat.


I really want to impress everyone with lofty, sophisticated goals, but honestly, I can't top my desire to just live in the present for the time being. Eating, resting, reading, being present. Adding more quality into my life.  Being more centered in my life, balanced, happy. I think it will be a great year. Happy 2012!