New Year

I am always evaluating my life and trying to become better so setting goals at the new year isn't something unique for me.  I do however, like to use it as a time to focus and reflect on the big picture.  President Uchtdorf's talk will be my guide to the year.  If I can minimize my regrets it will help me on the path to who I can ultimately become.

Tomorrow for family home evening I'm going to "pitch my ideas" to my children who will probably be very underwhelmed, but a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do.

The question "what can I do now?" has been coming out of my son's mouth between 6-12 times a day.  What he really wants me to do is tell him it's okay to do something electronically, which I have been cutting back on.  We are going to talk about some things we can do now.

Learn-we can choose a topic (turtles, Antarctica, Jupiter, etc) and research it.  Conduct science experiments.  Pick a picture from gospel art kit and learn the story.  Choose someone on our family tree and learn about their life.
Sing-I am so lucky to have a piano in our home now.  I have missed it.  We can learn new songs or dance and wiggle to old favorites.
Work-this is definitely my least favorite, which is why I need to do better at it.  I want to find the joy in a job well done and help the kids feel it too.
Create-build using straws, legos or cushions and blankets; make a picture to send to someone we love.  Write a story.
Serve-think of a way we can help someone.
Enjoy-this beautiful earth we live in, our family and friends, childhood
Exercise-make this one fun!
Play-board games, silly made up games.

This list is just a starting place for us, the possibilities are endless.  Even if it only works half the time, that is still heading in the right direction.
I'm looking forward to studying the Doctrine and Covenants this year.  A couple of weeks ago we read in section 25 which is one of my favorites.  Verse 10 says "And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better." 
I am hopeful that my filling our time with good activities we will be tasting the "better"; that we will lay up treasures in heaven and grow closer as a family.

I pray that this year, it's joys and trials, will bring each of us closer to our Savior.