Reflections and Resolutions

For the last few days I have been thinking about what 2007 meant to me and what I hope to gain from 2008. 2007 has been a blur; a complete and utter blur. It seems like it was only yesterday I went to bed and woke up to 2007. Sure it’s been a good year with the kids and all but it’s also been a difficult year; probably one of my most difficult to date.

At the outset I would have to say working fulltime and raising two young children at the same time is much easier said than done. It has tugged at my heart strings on many many occasions and I have questioned my role as a mother countless times as a consequence. I know now that it was something I had to do. It was something I had to do for my family’s financial future otherwise we would never get ahead (or stay afloat). I know my kids love me and I hope they will one day realise that sometimes you have to make sacrifices in the present for rewards in the future.

Taking a fulltime job was merely a stepping stone to future part time employment. I know that sounds stupid but I knew that if I could get through this year as a full time mum I would have the option of working part time in 2008.There are really no part time jobs in my industry so this was one of my only options. The decision is paying off with my employer granting my request to work part time (4 days a week in early 2008). As soon as a colleague returns from a secondment (date to be advised) I will get my wish to work 4 days and for that I couldn’t be happier.

Speaking of financial standings I would have to say that despite me working full time, this year has been tough in that stake. I hate that I’m working so hard yet we barely manage to stay afloat. I know we are building a house and as a consequence paying money out everywhere but life is still hard – mortgages, childcare, petrol, general living – it’s hard! Trev and I have struggled in that regard our whole marriage. My pregnancies with the kidlets were a major financial struggle for which we are still recovering. I hope and pray that 2008 will provide an end to the struggles (as much as one can wish for without winning lotto).

I’m scared of the big looming mortgage yet excited that we will have our own place. God knows our family needs it. I have written about our struggle in that regard previously so won’t delve much further other then to say the early part of 2008 couldn’t go quickly enough…we want to get into our much loved house.

2007 has been a difficult year for Trevor and me…not one of the best. The financial struggles and the stress of working hard have taken a toll. We don’t go out much because we don’t get the time and umm err well there are the children – someone needs to look after them. I have decided that in 2008 we will focus on us a little bit more, even if it’s just a DVD night in the new house, once a week, in front of the big TV – chill out time for us.

Working fulltime has really played havoc with the ol’ body. I was doing so well when I went back to work in March but lack of time, and poor habits have lead to some weight gain. I hope that in 2008 I can regain the discipline I had for my health. My sister is getting married on 26 July 2008 and I want to be the best looking matron of honour I can be. Then there's my 30th! I have to look gorgeous for that. I want to be happy with myself inside and out and hopefully in 2008 I can succeed in achieving that goal.

Speaking of myself…I want to do something for me other than getting healthy. I want to do something that interests me other then looking after my children. I want to learn photography or at least get better. I hope to do a course sometime in 2008 and generally have fun with my new found hobby (together with my friends of course – Karen I’m ready?! – hmmm just need the camera first).

Lastly, I long for the third and final instalment to our family. I hope that in 2008 things will start cooking (with little damage to the oven’s health) and that in early to mid 2009 our third little poppet will arrive

Those are but some of my reflections for 2007 and some of my hopes for 2008. I guess we’ll see how I go. Hmmm wonder how I went in relation to my 2007 resolutions? Off to take a look…