Goals for 2013

I've been delaying writing this post. I was waiting on my new iPhone in the mail. I was eligible for an upgrade and opted for the 4S which I got for free (didn't want to pay $150 for the iPhone 5). My Blackberry photos just weren't cutting it and I rarely carry a camera around. I gave my first iPhone (4) to DH and opted for the Blackberry a couple of years ago since I liked the keypad. I still miss the keypad but I think I'll adjust.

Last year, themes from "The Happiness Project" seemed to resonate with me a lot. This year, I think I will be inspired by Mr. Money Mustache.  Here's what will go down in 2013:

- I will finally graduate from my Masters Program - hopefully in April (woohoo!)
This has been such a long time coming. I started in the Fall of 2010 (around the same time I became pregnant with N). He'll be 2 when I'm finished. I feel like I have grown so much since then and have a much clearer idea of my career ambitions a.k.a what I want to do when I grow up.

- I will find secure and meaningful employment
I was so lucky in 2012 to find a really wonderful contract job which relates to my studies and that I'm loving. My contract is up in March but could be extended. Things are still up in the air so we'll see. I'm really hoping for the security of something permanent with paid vacation and sick days.

- I will continue to pay off debt (at least $15,000) this year while at the same time taking a family vacation in the Summer and buying a newer reliable vehicle
It CAN be done! In order to keep on track with "the mission" we'll have to pay down $15,000 in debt this year. However, I also need a reliable vehicle - more reliable than the unreliable s*** box I've been driving for awhile now. Last year, DH and I vacationed separately and did a couple weekend trips with the boys. Since neither of us have paid vacation time, it is hard for us to both take time off since we have to put aside money for the trip and the foregone wages. This summer we want to take a family vacation for at least a week.

- I will make our house a home
This year I want to actually get around to hanging pictures and artwork and decorating. Besides a couple of framed photos of the boys on a few tables throughout the house, we really have nothing on the walls. In our old house we were always in renovation mode and then were preparing to sell so we never got around to hanging things on the walls. Since we plan on staying here for awhile, photos would go a long way in making our house more homey.

- I will make an effort to be healthy
This year, I finally started to feel like myself again. No panic attacks, no body aches/pains, hyper sensitivity (allergies/eczema) or extreme stress. I think I might have even put back on a wee bit of weight. I want to focus on eating a balanced diet and get outside more often. I want to make less car trips.


A lot of our holidays were spent outside - a lot of backyard fun: