Resolutions with Optimism

The older I get the more I anticipate the coming new years! I now know of their potential. I believe in all the possibilities. Each new year is full of abundant expectations for the new year to be even better than the year before. How did I get this way? I didn't begin my journey here on earth as an optimist- but Im glad I've become one. I like optimists.
I often find myself telling the guests whom I hike with, and who find it quite surprising that Im the mother of 5 children, that I've reached the point in my life where the 'hard part' of raising a family is over. I am now in the chapter where Im reaping the blessings, after trying my best to raise a young family. My 'baby' is now almost finished with high school and he's a mighty fine young man. It is true that the physically demanding times are through. We're just having fun now!!!
This is not to say that I have turned a blind eye to the woes of the world. If anything,I am better informed about whats happening in the world, with all its horrors and wars and rumors of wars. But.. I find strength and peace,and even great comfort, in my family and loved ones and in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My hope springs eternal-literally.
This new year will bring amazing growth and experiences for my family-of this I am positive. Our missionaries- we will have 5 of them in our extended family before summer hits-remarkable!!! Anna will peak out and over her halfway point in February!! Soon she will drawing closer to her return, though she doesn't like to even contemplate the notion of coming home at this point. Clark is just beginning this adventure of missionary service. He'll soon be leaving college and the comforts of home, for the more spiritual aspects of life for a time. Brian will be left a 'lone' child in the vast expanse of home, for his senior year. No battles for the car, or wondering if there's enough milk in the fridge. No more living in the shadow of Clark. Im sure he'll decide to finish out his high school experience with gusto. (hint, hint) The married kids anticipate great new changes in their lives also. New,vigorous work in Brian Head, growing families, etc. We love watching them grow and develop into good husbands and creating families of their own(though its sometimes more of a struggle than they believed it would be) Oh the trials of starting out and struggling through to the end.
One of my greatest wishes for this new year will be for the continued blessing of health and vitality for our parents. We are so blessed to live in such close proximity to our beloved folks. To spend time with them on a regular basis is such a blessing for me and for my family. I am looking forward to sharing many more of our joyous occasions with them throughout this coming year.

My temple attendance will rise.
My body-fat percentage will drop.
My book shelves will bulge with more books that I've read.
I will travel- with and/or without my busy, builder husband.
I will be a better Sunday School teacher.
I will be a better wife (even if I do travel without him sometimes)
I will learn new things,ie, more geology, photography, writing and whatever else may come my way.
Plus, much, much more!!!!
So yes, I am very excited about this new year! 2008 is going to be great!! I look forward to sharing my journey with you in this blog. I hope that you will continue to share with me also, in this exciting new medium of communicating, known as blogging!