New Year, New Focus

Happy New Year to all!  My absence from blogging has been with a purpose.  To refocus on what is important in my life....FAMILY! 

December was a fun month of parties, family, and holiday cheer.  It goes by too fast, especially when family is not close and visits are short.  But, I am grateful for the time and love the entertaining. 

Today my oldest started back at school and the younger two will head back tomorrow.  George is back at work and I am trying to establish a routine at home.  Back to "the grind". 

This year is the exploration of a new frontier for me....being a SAHM (stay at home mom)!  I am very excited for the opportunity.  George and I take on this decision not lightly, as our budget will be crunched to its max.  We've talked, analyzed, and prayed over this move very hard.  Many I've talked to, including some family, do not agree.  But, we know this is the right thing to do.  Not only with our money, but with our family.  Plus, it just "feels" right....maybe God's way of telling us we are moving in the right direction??? 

Financially, we'll be living without the "life preserver" of my businesses bank account.  And rightly so.  We need to focus on our own spending habits and work even harder to pay off debt.  For me, that includes pinching every dollar I can with groceries, clothing, household items, and more.  For George it includes becoming a more involved member of the "budget committee".  He works hard each day and sometimes is frustrated where the money goes because he doesn't write the checks or check the account weekly.  I think lots of couples struggle with one member being in this position. 

Personally, I'll be working on focusing on goals that I have pushed aside for the last few years.  Including, but not limited to, exercising, reading more, keeping a more clutter free house, taking time out to "date" my husband, more crafting, taking the kids on "parent dates" for one on one time, and much more.  One step at a time is what I keep telling myself!

For the New Year I don't want to make resolutions, but goals.  Short and long term.  Goals to FOCUS on and work towards.  Because the most important work I will ever do is within my home and family.