Bring in 2009

I love when it's time for a new year.

It brings a fresh start, as well as the hope that the new year will be better than the last.

I have big hopes for the new year and things I want to accomplish for me and my family. The one thing I want to accomplish is to get a Fender Stratocaster guitar.

Music has always been a big influence in my life and still is to this day. My choices in music is a big part of my self-expression. My husband and I have always taught our boys self-expression and they have come to have a love for music on their own without any bias as to what we like or don't like. I do set limitations for them as far as music with lyrics that are not appropriate for them but other than that they can listen to whatever they like.

The boys have always loved music, so I think it's time they choose an instrument and learn to play, since that's what they want.

In year's previous, I wouldn't buy them an instrument because they cost so much and they were so young, I thought they would break it or my husband would have a nervous breakdown. My hopes for them is to learn to play an instrument, learn and grow and to keep their thirst for knowledge.

My goals for my family are to just do what makes them happy, no matter what that is. My dad loves road trips, so I would love for all of us to take time out of our busy schedules and just take a week-long road trip as a family and just see the world around us.

I have never been good at new year's goals because I don't want to set goals that we cannot accomplish. So, therefore, I am only making ones I know we can do.

Everyone wants more money or world peace, but as nice as that would be, it isn't anything that I can make happen.

I have told that I am a hippie and I agree and I do want world peace and no one being hungry, homeless and every child to have the same opportunity to receive an education. But who doesn't? And in all reality, I know that I cannot control those things, although I sure wish I could.

My New Year's wish for myself and everyone I know or don't know is to focus on all the good around us and know that amidst the negative in the world, there is just as much good around us.

I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!