Goals, 2009 & 2010 Edition

I know that I have talked about my goals here in the past. I've reached many of them in the last few years. And for the most part, I'm very content with where I'm at in life.
I work in the field that I have always wanted to work in. I enjoy my job. But I have always wanted to take it further and go to nursing school. I have narrowed down the fields I'm interested in. I even went so far as to enroll this past fall.
But it all comes down to priorities. I work full time. Once I actually start Nursing School, my wonderful employer will allow me to work part time, while continuing to pay me part time. Awesome deal. However, I have prerequisites to complete before I can start Nursing School. And that's the big stumbling block. While I'm completing those courses, I would have to work full time.
It's not that I can't handle juggling work and school; I've done that before. It's not about me. It's about my family.
John would support me 100%, I have no doubt of that. But the issue I have is, my family needs me. Even though my kids are older, that doesn't mean they don't need me. They just need me in different ways. Even the teenagers need their mother's time and attention, although they may not admit it. My youngest, my baby girl, she's very clingy and demanding of my time. She is so happy that I no longer go to work at 7pm two nights per week. I can't imagine telling her that I'm going to be gone in the evenings again, maybe even more often than before. Andrew, my stepson, he has special needs. Extra time and attention is required for him.
Don't get me wrong, for those of you who juggle all of this - full time work, school, and family - and do it well, you have my utmost respect. I'm not knocking anyone.
One day, this will work out for me. I truly believe that I have a calling, and when the time is right, it will happen. But right now, I have to put my family's needs first. Nursing school will always be a goal on the horizon. It won't go anywhere.
So for this New Year, my goal is just to nurture my family, and provide them with what they need. And sometimes....that's me.

New Year 2010

I don't really do New Year's Resolutions, but I have a few personal goals this year. I have to stop procrastinating and take better care of my health. I have an appointment for my annual already, and plan to get my first mammogram. I need to make a dentist appointment and a few others as well.
I'm always running the kids to their appointments, but this year I'm going to stop neglecting my own!
I've eaten all kinds of naughty, sinful foods over the holidays. I haven't gained any weight, but I am ready to go back to eating healthy and making sure I'm getting my protein in.

And another goal is, I'm going to refresh my blog reader. I'm cleaning out the blogs that nobody updates any more, and I want to find some fresh ones to read! So I'm asking you for a favor. Please recommend to me at least two of your FAVORITE blogs! If you want to suggest more, that's even better. Whether it's a hugely popular blog that you just love, or a blog that's underrated and doesn't get enough recognition, point me that way and I'll check it out, and also compile a list that I'll post later. I really appreciate your help!

ETA: I went a little crazy tonight and started a new blog. It's a food blog, and I'll post recipes, post about teaching my kids to cook, post my Meatless Monday stuff there...plus whatever else I think of! Please check it out and follow me over there, I'm lonely! Southern Loving

Happy New Year, and to ALL of my readers - my buddies, the lurkers, and even those "uninvited readers" - I hope 2010 brings you exactly what you deserve!!! =D
Much Love and thanks for all of your support in 2009. I hope 2010 is the best year ever!
xoxoxoxoxo

Believe in Your Dreams

I have this sign hanging up in my bedroom.
I've had many dreams in my life, and I am blessed to say that many of them have come true. But there are a few that I'm still chasing, too. I feel like I will reach these goals and realize these dreams in time. I just have to believe in them, and keep reaching for them.

Do you believe in your dreams?

Are you chasing them?

Or have you given up on your dreams?