twelve [12] in twenty-twelve [2012].

if i could sum up the single most important thing i succeeded at in 2011, it would have been learning to let go and be. i am trying to savor each moment, ignore the things that are not ideal and be happy for all the good that comes my way. thankfully i have a beautiful 24 pound-ish son that helps me remember to do this when i forget.

"Awareness born of love is the only force that can bring healing and renewal. Out of our love for another person, we become more willing to let our old identities wither and fall away, and enter a dark night of the soul, so that we may stand naked once more in the presence of the great mystery that lies at the core of our being. This is how love ripens us -by warming us from within, inspiring us to break out of our shell, and lighting our way through the dark passage to new birth." -John Welwood

in the spirit of continuing to evolve and grow and change, i have been thinking (for the past three-ish) weeks about accomplishment, and specifically, those things i'd like to accomplish this year. i decided on twelve, got out a piece of paper and wrote them down with a red felt tipped marker because that felt more official. (sidenote: i also put them in the drawer next to my bed and somehow john found them and made his own revisions. this is why we can't have nice things!) i am re-creating the list here in the hopes for some accountability.

without further ado...

[1] take a trip with john. when we were on vacation, he mentioned that we should go away, just the two of us. and then he said it again. and then a third time. third time's a charm, mr. fueger. sometime over the course of the next 11 months and 1 week, we will embark on an adventure sans child. i promise.

[2] get family pictures taken.

[3] run a few 5k's. i didn't want to put something down like "go to the gym 4 times a week" or something. because i knew that i would have those weeks when it would be all i could do to walk up the stairs to my office. that's just how my life is. rather than beat myself up about it, i just want to be realistic. i want to get more exercise than i did in 2011. amen.

[4] plant an adventurous garden. we had our first garden last summer and we enjoyed some peppers, beans, peas and tomatoes. i'd like to try some interesting varieties this year... maybe eggplant? only time will tell.

[5] re-do the basement and make a playroom for jack. this is currently in progress as i type this, and please lord, let it be complete by december 31.

[6] save more money.

[7] visit my in-laws' new house in ohio. currently planned for memorial day weekend.

[8] read more for pleasure.

[9] cook one new recipe each month.

[10] build something for jack. when john and i made the workbench for jack (and yes, i'm aware that it was nothing mind-boggling, but it was our first attempt at using power tools to create a child's toy!), it was really rewarding to work together to create something... then watch him enjoying it. i'd like to do that again sometime this year... maybe with a refrigerator to go with his play kitchen? or maybe a child's sized picnic table?

[11] take a family vacation this summer. even if its just a long weekend trip somewhere, i want to go somewhere, just the three of us. i loved family vacations when i was a kid, and i treasure those times with my parents and siblings as some of my favorite memories. i want that for jack.

[12] go camping. because we have a really nice tent. and we haven't used it for a couple years. and that's a shame.