Hopes & Dreams

Back when I was teaching I used to have my first graders write about their hopes and dreams for the school year. I would save them all year and then we would read them at the end of the year. Since I am no longer in the classroom, I thought it was fitting that I could do this for the new year. I have to say that I am not really that into making resolutions. I am into praying and hoping and dreaming though. So, this is a little insight into my hopes and dreams for the new year (and beyond...)

Business

I really hope that things take off for us this year with our business. For 8 years now we have been waiting for this moment. We have our opening set for January 18th! (Grand Opening will come later) I can't believe it's actually going to happen. We've had a fairly good start over the past 6 months in our temporary location, but things always slow down this time of year. We are really hoping (and praying) that once we move into the new building people will begin to refer others and things will pick up!

Family

(this is a personal one...I almost didn't share it on my blog, but here it is after all...)

For quite a while now (actually more like many years) I have looked forward to the day that we can start a family. It is something that my heart longs for everyday. In many ways I thought that this would be the year that might happen. But, if I am being totally and completely honest with myself (which I would rather not be), then I have to know that this might not be the year for that after all. It means so much to me to be able to stay at home when we have kids and with the business still getting started, it's difficult to know if that will be an option for us in the foreseeable future. I pray that at some point it is. The desire in my heart to be a stay-at-home mom and raise a precious little baby (or 2 or possibly even 3) is so strong, but I know that if we did this too soon (before we were financially prepared) that it would completely tear at the strings of my heart and stress me out beyond words...so I am (silently) trying to accept that this might not be the year and be okay with that. I know some people will read this and think it's no big deal to wait a little longer, but others will know the feeling of waiting and longing for something such as this for so long. There was a time not too long ago where fertility was in question for me, however I think (and hope and pray) that the doctors were wrong and that everything will be okay when the time is right. So all in all, I was kind of sad when 2010 came and I knew that this year might not hold all the joys I was hoping for, however I know that in God's timing it will be perfect and I have gotten pretty darn good at being patient.

Until then, it's just our little family...which I thank God for everyday!

Marriage

I really hope that I can provide the support and strength that my husband will need from me as we enter into this first year in our own business. I know there will be many ups and downs...but as long we face them together we will come out on top, no matter what happens. (this picture is from our wedding rehearsal, when we were rehearsing our vows!!)

"...to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

Friendships

Now that I am no longer teaching, where I used to see my friends everyday, I really want to make it a priority to maintain my friendships and be a better friend. It was easier when I could see everyone at work everyday, but now it is a little more difficult. It's easy to get caught up in my own world and not take the time to call a friend, or send a card in the mail so I am going to work on that this year.

My Relationship with God

I am also going to try to make more time to spend with God, so I can hear Him and know His plan for us. Things have been so crazy lately I feel like I haven't stopped to just listen and pray about where we are and what is going to happen next.

There are other things I hope to improve this year...of course the usual, diet and exercise!! The one thing motivating me more than ever is that if this year does go well and we can start trying for a baby I want to be in good shape for the pregnancy, so that is exciting...but also a little frustrating b/c I don't know if that's even in the cards for us...but either way, getting in shape is a good thing, right?

That's all for now! Wishing you a year full of your wildest dreams!!!