Disconnecting, Catching Up, and Resolutions

This time a month ago, we were in Georgia. We spent a glorious 3 weeks at my parents and siblings houses relaxing, lounging, celebrating, gaming (the old school way,) eating, and maybe most importantly disconnecting. I decided as I was packing for our visit that I wasn't going to bring my laptop. This in and of its self isn't really a big deal (I still brought an ipad, ipod, and cell phone,) but it did in a small way represent the break I wanted to take from the digital world. And. It. Was. Fabulous!

I remember after coming home from my mission, I went on a cruise with my dad and my brother. My dad was excited that for the first time everywhere we went, we had internet access. Me, not so much. When I go on vacation, I like to go on vacation from everything. Sometimes you just need a break, right? I did occasionally check facebook/instagram/email etc. during my stay, but it wasn't daily, and I never felt like I was missing out on anything. In fact, I felt more connected than ever to the things and people surrounding me. Instead of posting memories and watching others make theirs, I was living in the moment and basking in the now. I think I need to do it more often.

There is of course a downside to not staying on top of my digital life. I now have so much that I need to catch up on here on the blog: Our anniversary, Christmas, New Years, Oliver in motion, etc. This blog mainly functions as my online scrapbook of sorts. So there lies my catch 22: wanting to enjoy making memories without obsessively recording them in real time and wanting to make this blog a glimpse into the major/minor moments of our lives. A balancing act that I plan to take on in 2014. And with that, here are some of my New Year's Resolutions:

1. Get online less, live more

2. Go to bed earlier

3. Be proactive about my health: nutrition and exercise

4. Brush up on Italian before our trip in June

5. Utilize the whole week to prepare my Sunday School lessons

The year of 2014 is definitely going to be a year of change for us with Brian graduating and new adventures on the horizon. I think we are up for the challenge!