2018-New Year, New Me

So it has been a couple years since I posted but that's okay.  We went to bed last night after 1 in the morning and yet I was up at 6 am (I'll definitely be taking my nap today). I'm just too excited for the new year and hopefully changes that will take place in my life.  I have three main focuses for this year.

#1--Neil and my Marriage
We have a really great marriage (especially compared to others I know) but I want to make Neil a priority as he has me.  Four years ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and it has changed me.  With it has come extreme fatigue, irritability, depression, weight gain and a myriad of other problems.  I hate it and it's been so hard for me (and my family).  I've gotten caught up in the woe is me mind frame and after all my "daily duties" with kids and what not, I just felt like there was nothing to give to Neil.  He is the most important person in my life and has always treated me with love and kindness and has never put me down.  He has always lovingly nudged me to be better without making me feel bad.  He's just amazing and I am so blessed to have him by my side.  He has been so patient with me and I just need to give back.  I've bought a couple books, that we're going to read together and make some goals and changes.  I want to make sure I'm adding to his happiness every day.

#2--Family History Work
Back in June, I got the family history bug. although I was very reluctant.  I spoke on my experience in sacrament meeting a couple weeks ago.  I have fallen in love with it,  I have found several names to take to the temple and it has increased my desire to go to the temple and my spiritual experiences in the temple.  It's amazing the closeness I feel with my ancestors.  Doing family history work is a sacrifice of time and I waste so much time during the day on the computer.  My stake has a goal to index one million names by September.  I plan to index at least one name a day (trying to keep my goal attainable) as I also dedicate time each Sunday to genealogical research.

#3--Exercise
I stopped exercising in March of 2017, after a year of no change in my weight.  I was exercising to lose weight.  I'd exercise for an hour and only eat around 1200 calories a day and there was no change.  Stinkin' Hashimotos.  Scientifically speaking I should have lost about 1.5 lbs a week but nothing and so I got really down and gave up.  While I was exercising I didn't feel as bad about being larger because I knew I was making healthy choices and I did feel better. emotionally although exercising made me even more fatigued.  I hate looking pregnant, when I'm not.  That's the worst.  So for  Christmas, all of the kids and I got  generic fitbits and we're having a little weekly family competition with a monetary prize.  At least this time I realize there may be little change so my expectations aren't high.  I'm exercising again for my health and that's all. 

#4--Financial Goals
We had an awesome summer but also spent more money than planned and so we need to replenish our savings this year.  As the kids get older, everything just costs more, especially food.  I'm in charge of the finances and I am responsible for 95% of our expenditures so it's up to me to say no to all those wants. 

I'm feeling really optimistic about this year and excited to see the results of my goals.