The Abundant Life Experiment - Part 2

I absolutely love this picture of our family. It captures what I love best about my family - a cute little dramatic girl who loves pretty dresses and thinks she is a princess, an adorable baby boy who has funny expressions and is happily learning how to be independent, two parents who are not only in love with their children yet still hopelessly in love with each other.

It is a moment in a sometimes stressful, crazy, not-so perfect life that paints a picture of a family who none-the-less has an abundant life.

I truly want more moments in my life like this one and have a family that focuses on what is most important. Which is why our family is going to focus on the following in 2012:

1. Give generously

• focus on family service opportunities
• focus our prayers on those that are in need
• magnify our callings at church
• magnify our callings as visiting teachers and home teachers.
  

2. Cultivate a house of faith

• have daily family prayer and scripture study
• have daily couple prayer and scripture study
• sing more as a family
• hold meaningful Family Home Evenings every week
  

3. Live providently

• spend less than we earn
• have a financial plan and stick to it
• find a solution for food storage that works for us

4. Improve wellness

• create and follow an exercise program
• do more physically active outings with the children
• eat healthy
  

5. Simplify

• take break from Facebook
  
• plan less on weekends so we can spend more time together as a family
  

6. Cultivate love at home

• learn better ways to parent/discipline
• avoid raised voices, anger, spanking
• strengthen relationships with extended family (create calling calendar so we make sure to keep in contact with all of our siblings)

I have already felt a difference in our home this past month as we have focused on these goals. If anything, I am happier. Which means my kids and husband are happier. Looking forward to everything 2012 holds for us!