Goals of New Blogs

Can you believe January is nearly over already? I'm still adjusting my mind to the idea of "2008". In January I usually inventory the previous year and kick it up a notch in my journaling...setting goals, defining dreams - anything to put my brain in overdrive to get me through to Spring. But, with four kids the inventory process is slightly underdeveloped. No big deal, though. The goals are rather simple for the most part - all centering around faith, family and home.

One goal I'm excited about pursuing (unlike the goal of losing my pregnancy weight - oh, dread!) is about our family history. In all four branches of our family (Manley/Mann, Purl, Biggers, and Alvares) there are family members that have collected and recorded that line's history. Our family goal this year is to collect what we can from each family line in the form of four blogs linked to this one. After a season of collecting we hope to have the information - the pictures, posts, and comments - printed so we will have four volumes of our family history to pass along to the kids and even to extended family members that are interested. Brian is excited about this goal (unlike the goals of finishing the million house projects that were started in 2007 - oh, dread!). I'll be working on setting up the blogs this week and making the first posts so hopefully by January's end we can send out an email or letter to invite family to participate.

If you have any family pictures or interesting family articles please scan and email them to me. The blog formats will be very simple - with a picture or story posted and then a place for family to login and make their comments. Hopefully, family can comment about who is in an old picture and what the occasion was, or finish a story we've only heard portions about. Family history is so interesting and every family has a story to tell. With a blog, everyone can add to the story and less pieces are lost or forgotten. Anyway, that's just ONE goal for 2008.

After compiling my goals, writing them down and starting a plan to accomplish them I asked Brian if he had any goals for 2008, "Yeah, to not get you pregnant.". And, when I asked the kids what I should wish for before blowing out my birthday candles this past weekend Isaac said, "Wish for another baby boy!!!". HA! - and, no, I'm not pregnant. I'm pretty content with four at the moment.

With that - I better go. I have to convince Jack that the box of Cheerios does not contain strawberries like the picture on the box.