What's New in the New Year?

Happy New Year!

So, what's new in the new year?!

I'm excited to start a new line of posts this year about what I'd like to call the "Lost Arts."

I noticed last year, that my family is a little different from most modern families. We love old things. Not like that-pair-of-jeans-you-never-threw-out-from-high-school old, I mean antiques old. With this love comes an interest in those special arts that helped create these things.

From a young age, I remember sitting on the floor with Sarah as my mom helped us cut out a pattern to sew a new outfit for 4-H, tying a quilt for a sick baby in our ward, spending hours visiting with both of my Grandmothers as we quilted one of my wedding quilts, and getting new crochet patterns for Christmas to try out. Each of these special skills seem to be waning in the world today, so I'd love to share my love for them with you this year, as well as my journey as I learn the art of tatting! I will also be continuing to post about other projects I'm working on, but I'm excited to add these "Lost Arts" to our blog and I hope you enjoy them!

I love the new year, because it brings an opportunity to start with a clean slate.

One of my favorite activities for the new year is sitting down together and writing our New Year's Goals. This year I set goals in 4 areas: Physical, Spiritual, Social, and Intellectual. I'm excited to share them with you!

Physical- Return to Pre-baby weight and shape.

Spiritual- Memorize a new scripture each month.

Social- Speak only kind, non-critical things of others.

Intellectual- Read up on one current event each week.

On top of personal goals, we like to set family goals and marriage goals. I really love having these posted in the house so I can see them all throughout the year and assess how we're doing. It really helps us stay on track!

Do you set goals for the new year?

We'd love to hear them, please share in the comments below and we can help one another work toward them this year!

~Rachel

Not Your Average New Years Resolutions

I love the energy January brings. Everyone is welcoming a fresh start with determination to change. The stores are showcasing exercise clothing and protein shakes, while the gym's popularity increases by the second. This year I decided I wanted to step outside of my normal new year's resolutions and make a different type of resolution. Normally, my goals would look like this: 1. Get in shape 2. Eat Better 3. Be on time. From year to year there is usually a bit of variance, but you get the idea. This year I asked myself, "Who do I want to be at this time next year?" After I answered this question, I knew what my new goals were. This year I want to focus on being the best wife and mother I can, cultivating my talents, being kind in thoughts, actions, and words, and simplifying my home. These are the things I truly want to work on in 2016. These are not resolutions I feel inclined to make, they are goals I cannot wait to work on because I want the outcome so much. Don't worry, I am going to be eating well, exercising, and striving for punctuality, but in 2016 I am going to work beyond those things and hopefully grow inside. I want to share my endeavors with you through the blog and I plan on making my goals a priority. I look forward to this year and I hope you do too!

-Sarah