And so it begins....

I did it! I met every resolution goal today. And although it's only been one day, it feels great already. Firstly, I noticed I seemed to have much more time today without having to feel that I needed to check on my friends via Facebook. When the kids asked me to play a game or help them with something I was able to say, "Sure!" because I wasn't having to say, "hang on just a second" because I was getting on the computer or looking at my phone. Now I have to say, I was on the computer today. I spent a while typing up quotes to print and put up around my house and I also organized my computer files (my brother recently taught me that I don't have to have all my files on my desktop!). 

Tonight after dinner I helped my energetic Noah with his chores. It seems that every day I am yelling at the kids to do their chores and to stay on task. It makes me so sad to end up getting onto them about it because for two years now we've been using Accountable Kids as our chore system. I LOVE the system and it's worked great for us off and on. Unfortunately because during the past two years, we've have two live-in nannies, my brother and his wife live with us, we had a baby and hubby was deployed. Needless to say, there has been a lot of change in our household and the kids can't seem to stay on track with their chores. Back to tonight: I made a resolution to parent with more love and so instead of nagging him to continue doing his chores, I decided to walk along side him, holding his hand at times, and help him stay on task. The evening was much calmer and happier. I was exhausted to be honest. But I felt great. 

Lastly, when I went to tuck Elisabeth into bed she and I read scriptures together. We read scriptures as a family each night at dinner, but I wanted to help Elisabeth to truly study them better, not just to know the stories. It was amazing to read with her, explain to her and then to pray together afterwards to our Father in Heaven,  that our hearts will be able to understand and know the teachings to the best of our ability.

I love my family so very much. Today was a great first day of the new year!