welcoming 2014 with wide open arms

2013 was not my best year. in fact, it was downright difficult and i'm happy to say so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye. 2013 brought me and the people i care about most more heartache than anyone should have to experience. i made mistakes in 2013 that i am not proud of, but i have most definitely learned a whole lot from them. and as i welcome the new year, i'm feeling refreshed and ready for a whole lot of sunshine, happy times and smiles for me, my family and my friends.

as with every other year, i have made a list of goals that i want to accomplish in the coming months. i thought i would share it with the world wide web to help hold me accountable. with that being said, my goals for 2014 are. . .

• develop and implement both a personal and family savings plan
• increase my 401(k) deferral
• maintain a positive attitude and optimistic outlook on life despite the hardships i may face
• go to the YMCA at a minimum of 8 times per month
• limit the number of weekday trips to starbucks to one time per week and make coffee at home each morning
• green smoothies galore!
•  sew something at least once a week and use up all my fabric scraps
• invest time in worthwhile friendships and be the friend that i expect in return
• open that etsy shop i keep talking about

my goals my not seem that far fetched or difficult to obtain, but i don't believe that's how they should be. by tweaking some things in my day-to-day life there is no reason that i shouldn't be able to achieve each bullet point above.

so, as i sit here and watch the bachelor {hello, juan pablo} i am welcoming 2014 with wide open arms.