We're just a few weeks into the new year, and I am already feeling overwhelmed. How about you? I set a lot of goals for myself in 2016... weight loss isn't really one of them. I'll focus on losing baby weight after the birth of my daughter this spring. My goals are both short term and long term. 

Some of my 2016 goals include:

Getting my house organized and ready for the baby is goal #1. This one seems the most overwhelming. We have a house filled with stuff that has accumulated over the past five years, and deciding what to keep, toss or donate has me all sorts of confused. We live in a two bedroom bungalow, which we love, but we're definitely feeling cramped, as we try to make room for Baby S to room with us in the master bedroom. Lots of people do this- and it shouldn't be a big deal. B roomed in with us for the first year of his life, and it worked well enough- but he had his own room for his furniture, belongings, etc. We don't feel that it's fair to ask a five year old boy to share space with a newborn baby girl's things- so we're definitely feeling the pressure as we try to reconfigure things at home.

Another big goal of mine for 2016 is to devote time to writing a devotional book. This is a project I have been wanting so badly to start on, and just haven't had the motivation. A lot of things in my life have changed in the past 6 months, and my priorities are shifting, which is a good thing. I want the book to be a reflection of God's work in my life- through story, scripture, and song. I also have a few lyric/song projects I'd like to finish working on this year, and have music recordings to work on, as well. How am I going to accomplish all of this with a new baby? I have no idea. It's a scary thought, actually- but I'm going to pray about it... a lot. God will show me how.

My next goal may sound trite, but it's an important one. I want to lay off the tech, and focus on family time. This is going to be a hard one. I realized the other morning that the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning, is look at my phone. The last thing I do before I hit the hay each night, is look at my phone. My husband and I will be lying next to one another in bed, both on our phones, when we could be having conversation. After all, most days this is the first chance we get to actually talk to one another. I realize the importance of technology. My job depends on it, and most others' jobs do, too... but it's getting in the way of precious family time. So, I am making an effort to put down the phone, step away from the lap top, and play more, laugh more, and spend more time with the people I love.

Another goal is to read more. There are so many great books that I want to read. I have no excuse for not reading them. Sure, I am busy all day, but the time I spend watching Netflix between B's bedtime and mine, could be much better spent by reading those books on my list. I have a feeling that I'd sleep a lot better if I stopped watching TV before bed, too!

I have a lot of things that I want to do this year, and figuring out how to do them with a new babe, and my wonderful family will be a challenge, but it's one that I'll gladly accept.

What are your goals for 2016? I'd love for you to share them in the comment section, so we can support one another!