This week, I will be writing on the topic of New Year’s resolutions,
looking at my resolution subsets each day for my usual daily topics.
Today, I discuss resolutions related to Family Life.

It feels especially fitting that I rang in this New Year tightly lined up with my "men" and 750,000 new friends near Trafalgar Square along the banks of the Thames in London.  My primary goal for 2008 is to truly appreciate the fleeting time I have with my sons.  My eldest, a 16 year old Sophomore filled with dreams and desires, seems perched on the edge of complete independence - as he should be.  We took this nine day trip to London as a family Christmas present because we realize that soon he, and then his thirteen year old brother, will be embarking on their own adventures.  Each day seems to pass by so quickly!  So this year, I want to focus on making the most of our family time together - modeling values and spirituality for my sons, simplifying a hectic schedule, and making our home a haven and not a clutter-filled chaos.

For the year 2008, my personal resolutions with respect to family life include the following:

1. Treasure each moment with my husband and sons.  Be a loving, non-nagging and non-judgmental wife and mother.  Respect their decisions, reinforcing good choices and taking the opportunity to seize "teaching moments".  Prioritize family dinner.  Truly listen to what the three of them are telling me, not what I want to hear.  Love more, hug more, and be a better friend and companion.
2. Simplify our schedule.  Help my children prioritize activities that they truly enjoy and from which they will benefit most emotionally, mentally and physically.  Plan ahead to avoid "drive through syndrome" on nights when we’re all running in opposite directions.  Carve out quiet time and make the most of it.  Be a better keeper of our family calendar and safeguard important appointments and commitments.
3. Declutter our home.  Examine our living spaces for signs of clutter and create systems to avoid it.  Be more vigilant in the acquisition of new items - do we truly need them and what can we take out of our home when we bring in a new item?  Seek out ways to live a "greener" existence in our home and our community.  Shop less and share our blessings with others more.