Resolutions: Past and Present

Ringing in 2015, I mostly thought,  One more year I've lived without Elle. Forty-seven left to go.... (I'm not slated to die until age 95)

As a family we've had a tradition of looking back at the past year and recording favorites and trends and then making goals for the year ahead. This year after we were done, I looked through the kids' goal binders and thought I'd mention some of their responses (with permission)

McKenzie

2010

Favorite Books: "Hunger Games and A Thousand Splendid Suns"
Social Goals: "Go out of circle, don't be afraid to meet new people, confident (no sweat :)" I'd say she's met that goal.

2011

Best Friends: "Fab 5, PG Boys, Lucy, Sneetches, Football Boys"

2012

Greatest Personal Accomplishment: "Chase Handsome ;)" haha (—he "liked" her :)

2015

Favorite Books: "?"
Intellectual Goal: "GRADUATE and Finish strong" Not sure how she'll do that without reading....

MIA

2010

"don't be so demanding"

"be mature for cell phone"

"offer to make lunch for kids or get Elle ready for the day"

2013

Greatest Personal Accomplishment: "getting through this year happy"

 Fake happy...

  

Happy happy

We must have been waiting on some of the other kids, because I found this scribbled over and over in Mia's goal binder: 

"I hate wasting time. 
Help. 
My name is Mia and I hate wasting time. 
I'm gonna die. 
Please help. 
Ugh"

2014

Favorite Books: "haven't read any" hmmmm
Fashion Trends: "beanies, ripped jeans, joggers, leggings, converse"
Best Friends: "Olivia, Aubrie, Malone, Micah, Linds, Cam, Daniel-ish"

Physical Goal: "gym every day"


Spiritual Goals: "read scrips every day, prayers m/n, read conference talks, index"

GETTY

2010 

"Learn how to break dance" 

 "eat one fruit a day"

"I would like to have a testimony of the church of Jesus Christ. And to have better friends and good relationship with family"

2011

Goals: 
"Ride a dirt bike
Learn all about the go cart and new things: how to clean it/fix it/fill the gas
Finish a book evry week —huh?
Comb my hair evry day"

 Good idea

2014

Spiritual Goals: "scriptures every night and build my own testimony"

CY

2014

Greatest Personal Challenge: "too much competitiveness"
Physical Goal: "beat my career high points in a game." career ;)

2015

Favorite Books: "NONE" see a family trend here?
Fashion Trends: "button-ups, converse, joggers, sweaters, and swooped over hair"

CAM

2011

Greatest Personal Accomplishment: "sang in Primary" 

(singing "Away in a Manger" for Christmas Eve)

Best Family Event/Activity: "Going to Orange Leaf" (frozen yogurt)

2015

Favorite Song(s)/Group(s): "Pump up music"

Favorite Books: "Clementine series"

Greatest Personal Challenge: "thinking about elle"

ME 

2014

Spiritual Goal: "Kigatsuku (Japanese for self-motivated goodness)

Be fearless in facing challenges

Be thankful in all things—key to happiness"


Favorite Song(s)/Group(s): "Happy" —Pharrell Williams

Favorite Book(s): 
"Child Whisperer" —Carol Tuttle 
I'm obsessed with this book

"Lighten Up" —Cheiko Okasaki 
A refreshing (and to me, surprising) perspective


"Proof of Heaven"—Eben Alexander, MD 
Rob absolutely loved this book, too

"Outliers" —Malcolm Gladwell 
A new take on the determinants of success

"Yearning for the Living God" —Enzio Busche 
Spiritual nutrition

Spiritual Experiences: "Fasting helps!!"

Biggest Personal Accomplishment: "tried many new recipes and not grieving 24/7"

Biggest Personal Challenge: "Learning to feel cheerful through prolonged stress."

Best Family Event/Activity: "Cali trip, watching Sound of Music"

Rob

2011

Favorite Movie(s)/Actor(s): "The King's Speech"

Spiritual Goals: "Being more proactive in loving others"

2013 

Favorite Book(s): "David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism"

Spiritual Experiences: "Being good about Elle"

Best Family Event/Activity: "Ping pong"


To sum up, our goal is to find a happy medium in the agony and the ecstasy of raising our zingy kids.