Some of my accomplishments in 2007 and some random thoughts

• I'm not one to look in the past and generally think of my accomplishments. I usually look back and think, " I should've done... I could've done... I wish I would've." At the beginning of the year my main resolution was to center my life on the Savior. I knew that if I dedicated my days to Him my priorities would be different. I wouldn't say that I succeeded but I did have sporadic times where I focused on this goal and saw the fruits of my efforts. This year I'm making the same commitment again and I'll be writing in more details of how I want to feel and how I'm going to get there. I know that I don't spend enough time on the spiritual self and I know that deepening my faith and building a stronger foundation will help me through the trials I face this coming year. When I went to the temple the other day with my sister the sealer talked about his time in Nigeria. He talked about the conditions there and how sad and hopeless the people's lives are there. He essentially said that out of all the people in the world there is really only a very small amount that have had the gospel, let alone participated in the sealing ordinance. As I sat there I was overcome with an urgency to do better with what I know. "To whom much is given, much is required." The spirit testified to me to examine life and see how I can use what I've been blessed with to strengthen myself as well as others and become the woman Heavenly Father knows I can be. The path is there to be followed all I have to do is walk in His way and I will find joy.

• I've also worked on overcoming perfectionism, which is helped me overcome my laundry dilemma, believe or not. For the almost 10 years I've been married I haven't figured out a system for doing laundry- until... drum roll please... THIS YEAR. Finally, I don't feel like laundry is taking over my life. Every day, I go through the house and collect all the laundry. I sort it in the laundry room and start a load ONLY if I intend on washing, drying, folding it, and putting that load away. If my day is way too full I won't wash a load, but generally I will do one load because I know I can fit it into my day. Even if I can do more than 1 load, I don't wait to put the clothes away when I get the next one done. And, if my kids are home, they put their clothes away. I used to have a LAUNDRY day. Never worked for me. I always had laundry on the couch still waiting to be put away after dinner. After dinner it is very difficult for me to tie up loose ends, mainly because its time to go through the kids' bedtime routine. The biggest thing I realized this year is I don't have to get everything done in a day. When I used to approach things with that attitude I got paralyzed and overwhelmed. I still have to talk myself out of that type of thinking but at least I can recognize it now.

• I've blogged about exercising and eating better but I've come to understand that PROGRESS is wonderful. I'm not at my goal but I'm further than I was at the beginning of the year. I will be at my best body by 2009. My thinking and attitude is finally helping me overcome the things that were always holding me back. I'm excited to see what I can accomplish and ready to move forward without beating myself up.

• My marriage to Jeff has been strengthened this year. We've had some of our worse disagreements but they actually allowed us to get some things out in the open and we worked through it. We talked it out and actually resolved each of our concerns. Working on the house and getting so much accomplished together has been very beneficial too. I think most of all, I like myself more. I used to cut myself down all the time, and you know, I wasn't to fun to live with when I didn't cut myself any slack. I would get angry because of my own struggle and I'd let it out on Jeff. I still struggle with it, but not even close to what I used to. I used to take offense to almost everything he did or said. If he made a comment about how I did something I would come unglued because I was already beating myself up about it. I've wanted so bad to do everything well and balanced and its made me feel miserable in the process. I've learned to be happy with my BEST efforts. That's all I can do. I have to have faith that the Lord will make up the difference. I love Jeff so much and with all the things to worry and fret over I'm so thankful that my marriage is a strong foundation in my life.