I love new starts. My mind reels with possibilities of what to do, what to accomplish and how to make that happen.

I’ve always been a big dreamer. I adore and loathe this about me. I’m very rarely content as I am always striving for something new but my life is also far from boring and continuously changing – which I like and have come to realize, I need.

So as a new year begins I take this opportunity to establish specific and identifiable goals. Some are simple others are lofty and risky.

This year my husband and I are each taking a day off from work, family and whatever else fills our normal day-to-day in order to refocus, pray and dream for the coming year. This is essential as we are a team and it is vital that we are on the same page. If our goals are separate and different we wouldn’t be able to get much accomplished. He is my biggest supporter and my greatest asset. With him by my side I don’t feel like there is much I can’t do.

Okay with that mushy gushy albeit sincere stuff aside these are some of my personal goals I have thought of. And let me preface this by saying that by choosing to read the following list you are taking on the responsibility of helping to kick my butt. Feel free to comment, email, tweet and say “hey Ashley, stop watching Glee and work on your goals.” I am sharing these with you in order to have your accountability. That’s a big responsibility – you up for it?

1. Read 30 books

I have one under my belt already. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life. What an incredible book to start off the year. In it Donald Miller writes about creating your story. What do you want it to look like? And how can you make your life a story worth telling?

I have also started to read Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make A Difference. Another great book to begin the year as I plan out goals for my family and I this book helps to remind us of what’s truly important and what sort of life will enable us to leave a lasting legacy and a better mark on this broken world.

This goal has a sub-goal of reading more fiction. I am notorious for only sticking to non-fiction and I know that I am missing out on some incredible writing, stories and knowledge that these books have to offer.

Other books on my list to read/re-read

Help me. What else should I read?

2. Write a book proposal

Eek. I want to write/photograph books. This might not come as a big shock but really it’s the first time I’ve admitted it here. For some reason admitting this goal makes me feel incredibly vulnerable. Partly because now I’ve put it out there and if you do your job well you will hold me accountable to this.

For a long time I’ve simply sat waiting for this opportunity to arise. I’ve sort of figured that if I’m meant to write a book(s) someone will seek me out. But now that just seems silly and prideful. I’m done with being a passive participant in my life. If I want something and feel as if this desire is godly and valuable then I’m going to seek it out and work extremely hard to make it happen. Because really something that is fought for and hard to attain is so much more valuable than one that simply falls into your lap.

3. Date My Husband

A couple weeks ago I introduced you to a new series that involves my husband and I cooking together at home after the kids have gone to bed. I am notorious for thinking up an idea, starting it then letting it fizzle. But this is a good one. In this crazy life of kids, messes, bills, dreams and whatever life has in store for us next year one of the most important things is my marriage to my best friend.  So this year I want to continue to date my husband and fall deeper in love with him.

4. Support a Mission

This world is broken and I can’t fix it but I wouldn’t mind living a life trying.

There are are endless supply of causes to support and I really find it so beautiful that God fills us with compassion for different needs. Right now my heart shatters and I instantly well up with tears as I read through the IJM website. “IJM’s staff stand against violent oppression in response to the Bible’s call to justice (Isaiah 1:17): Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”

I also can not stop thinking about some of our family and friends who have recently moved across the globe and /or are using their resources to assist those in need. Their stories are both heartbreaking and filled with hope as they tirelessly work to make a difference and share the love of Jesus in a very real way.

http://chadandtrinabaron.com/

Zamblocks

http://thehuckabyfamily.blogspot.com/

5. Find a mentor

I’m finding raising young kids to be hard. Of course there is a lot of joy, smiles and wonderful memories being built but the day to day is flat out hard. I’m constantly questioning myself and our parenting decisions and wondering if we are completely ruining these poor children.

For years now I’ve wanted a woman who is a bit older than I to meet with and learn from. To share stories and to hear the wisdom that she has gained. She could offer a perspective that comes from having a few years on me.

I’ve prayed for such a person to be a part of my life but I haven’t actively been seeking nor have I asked. So once again I’m going to put my passive nature aside and going to ask for what I want.

6. Take an art class

I studied art and education in college and I’ve been missing my paints. I’ve made many excuses for why I no longer paint or do much art of any kind but I’m sick of excuses.

Specifically I want to take this course by Mitch Albala with my incredibly talented dad but any art class will do.
7. Create art

Along those same lines I’d like to actually create 3 pieces of art that I’m fairly pleased with – you know what, I don’t have to be pleased with it I just want to create it. Be it drawings, paintings or whatever I want to have 3 pieces that I planned then executed. Now this may seem like a fairly small number but considering I haven’t done more than create a few doodles in my sketchbook in the past 5 years I’d say it’s enough.

8. Homeschool

After many months (years, actually) of discussion and prayer we have {most likely} decided to homeschool next year. Our oldest is going to be 5 in May which puts him in Kindergarten in the Fall.

For a number of reasons (that I can expand on later if there is interest) we have decided that for him and our family, homeschooling is the best option.

In this also I have the goal of setting up some sort of co-op in order to shoulder the responsibility with a couple of other parents.

I am both nervous and excited about this. I nearly have a degree in education so the idea of creating lesson plans makes me giddy. But had you asked me a few years ago if I would have considered homeschooling I would have laughed in your face. It just didn’t seem to fit me. Let’s be honest, I’ve been dreaming of having a few hours a day to myself since my baby was first born. But things change, priorities change and my heart has changed.

Homeschooling is not right for everyone but for us it feels right. So I’m going with it. I mean really, most of what you need to know in life can be taught through baking right?! – fractions, chemistry, patience, persistence and the importance of using good chocolate.

9. Blog

And of course there’s you and my little Internet home. I don’t have real specific goals regarding the blog but I do want to continue to commit to creating thoughtful, engaging and beautiful posts. I want to always be growing, improving and offering you more insight, lessons and drool-inducing photos. I have no plans of leaving this space and I am going to strive to make this the best year yet.

Happy New Year to you all. Dream big and make it happen.

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