family meeting OR should we get a puppy?

For 2011, we're trying something a little different. At the beginning of each month, we're getting together as a family to set forth some short-term goals for the upcoming month, as well as touch base on our New Year's resolutions and reflect back on the previous month's goals. This gives us a chance to evaluate our progress (and get input from others if we want), refocus on our aim, tweak our goals and look forward to new ways to improve ourselves. We have a family journal and we do this AS a family, but working the goals is an independent thing. To each his own, with ample support and encouragement from the rest of us, of course. (*Mid-month, we have a family date night where we talk about the month so far in a relaxed setting... usually over dinner out!)

Tonight we had our second meeting of the year. It was very productive and I am always impressed by the things my children want to do with their lives:

My 8-year-old, David, wants to work on a new invention; Dylan, my 6-year-old, wants to play outside everyday when it isn't too cold. These are just a few of their goals. David also has a goal for growing in height, while Dylan established he wants to make perfect scores on his spelling tests for the rest of the year. WOW!

Dad plans to create and implement four new trading programs at work, while Mom (that's me!) intends to make a final decision about adding a puppy to our brood. I know it will be work, and that most of the work will fall squarely on my shoulders. But something in me believes my boys should experience having a dog. I also believe that if my parents and David's parents could do it, so can we! There is so much to give and gain from being a pet owner; I don't want to rob my children of these opportunities and lessons.

Speaking of my decision, I spent one night last week researching names. You'd think I was having a baby! But I've always been interested in name meanings. While researching, I was reminded and struck by the fact that an aspect of each of our names (either our first or middle) has to do with the ocean and with a quality that comes straight from God: love, mercy, light, grace. To this end, our puppy (IF WE GET ONE!) would need to follow suit.

If we get one, I'll be sure to share our news and write about his or her name. Meanwhile, I'll continue working on my other goals: health and well-being, as well as a commitment to my writing and reading.

When you find yourself evaluating your life among the people you love most in this world, especially those little ones, you want to face them with a good report to share. With every month that comes, I want to have made progress and be a good example to my family.