New Year's Resolutions 2012

My in-laws are coming to visit tomorrow and I know I will forget to post about my New Year's Resolutions if I don't do them now so I'm getting an early start on this (let's hope it isn't also an early start of breaking the resolutions).

Normally my resolutions center around things I want to change that don't really impact me as a person.  For instance, I talk about losing weight (still a goal but not a resolution) but as a "big girl" I am the same person as when I'm "normal weight."  Or I talk about trying to scale back my potty mouth but whether I use the "s" word or not, I'm still me (just a potty mouth me who will probably get a call from a teacher some day about the fact that my child dropped the "f-bomb" in class... sorry mom). 

So this year I thought what could I resolve to do that would really improve the person I am and how can I know what changes to make?  Well, to make the right changes I felt I should try and improve something about me and use a friend as a "model" on how I would like to be.  What better way to have a goal and a path?

So, without further ado:

1. I resolve to be a better friend like my friend Joanna. I have never met someone who is more committed to her friendships than Joanna.  She is truly one of those people who if you called her right now and said you needed her, she would be on a plan in a second.  And how does she show she is a good friend?  Well, she will travel to see you whenever she can (no matter where you are).  She will be in your wedding (i.e. my wedding) and even though she is in a different state and has to shoulder extra expenses she will NEVER once complain about it or try to weasel out of something... she will make it work.  She will include you in everything she does because that is what a friend does.  Hopefully I can be 1/2 the friend she is.  Please do not think this means I don't have other friends who are really good too.

2. I resolve to be better at staying in touch with people like my friend Robin.  This woman is amazing.  Whenever she goes on a trip she brings address labels with everyone's (and I mean EVERYONE's) addresses so she can send out postcards from wherever she is.  She send out little cards just to let you know she is thinking of you (and she even remembers to send birthday cards WAY in advance because she might be out of the country when your birthday happens).  She will call and email periodically just to stay in touch.  I stink at this and as we continue to move it becomes more important... but I'm going to follow her lead this year.

3. I resolve to be a better mom like my friend Danielle.  Danielle as three kids (2 of whom who are twins) all 5 or under.  She is amazing with them.  They drive her nuts, like any mom, but she truly enjoys every moment she has with them.  And most of all Danielle lets other people's business be their business so she can attend to her children - as in she doesn't get all caught up in how other people view her parenting and she always gives the benefit of the doubt with other parents.  Her children are all happy and adjusted as well (and yes, I'm sure some of this is also about her husband but this post is about me).

I'll let you know how it all works out as I'm going through it (or maybe you will know because you might benefit from one of the above resolutions).