It's always fun to make a list of all the changes you want to make in the new year. The phrase "new year, new me" will be everywhere today, but when you think about it, creating a whole new person when the clock strikes midnight isn't a realistic goal, or a healthy one. Instead, we should all strive to simply be better versions of ourselves every day. Here are some achievable resolution ideas that will help us all do just that. 

• Say a prayer at least once a day. When do you feel closest to God? Whether it's when you're in your car, in your bed when you wake up in the morning, or before you eat a meal, choose one moment each day to spend a few minutes with Him. Before you know it, you'll start to crave more of these beautiful moments, and you won't have to plan to make them happen anymore - praying will come naturally. 
• Make one healthy decision each day. For many of us, it's unrealistic that we will follow through on a rigorous diet and exercise program all year long. That's because the choice to lead a more healthy lifestyle is just that - a lifestyle change. It won't happen overnight. Instead, make an effort to make better decisions about food and physical activity first once a day, then twice, until it becomes your way of life. Thinking of snacking on some chips? Go for the baked ones. Need some time to unwind? Go for a walk around the block instead of watching television. The possibilities are endless!
• If you want to spend more time connecting with loved ones, again, start with a goal that you can quantify. Pledge to make one phone call to a different family member each day, or to have a family game night with your children once a week. Before you know it, you'll stop counting and monitoring if you've done your job for the day - you'll know you've done it when you feel the warmth that only closer relationships with loved ones can bring.

New Year's Eve is a great time to start thinking about all the ways you would like to improve, but remember, every day is a new opportunity to be a better you.

Best wishes for a love-filled, prosperous, and happy New Year!
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It seems that every year, department stores begin putting up Christmas decorations earlier. As soon as October in some places, battery-operated dancing Santas pop up at every corner and for children, the focus of Christmas doesn’t always remain on the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s wonderful to let kids enjoy all the magic of the season, but as their role models, it’s our responsibility to make sure they learn why we truly celebrate every December. If you’re struggling to find fun ways to keep Christ in Christmas for your kiddos, read on for some of our favorite traditions.

1. When decorating your home, always put up a Nativity. Christmas lights and trees are beautiful, but setting up the Nativity scene serves as the perfect conversation starter. You can explain each person’s role in the Christmas story as you set up!
2. Don’t skip church on Christmas morning. All kids want to do when they wake up is open their presents, but going to church beforehand is a great reminder that Christmas is first and foremost a celebration of the birth of Jesus. 
3. Everyone loves a good Christmas classic – Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and more, are great films to watch as a family with cookies and hot chocolate. If your family enjoys watching Christmas classics together, make sure to include those that are faith-based. The Little Drummer Boy is a great one!

Christmas is a celebration of God loving us so much that he sent Jesus to be born for us, as one of us, and change the world through people just like us. What a beautiful act of love. A tiny baby born in a manger would radically change everything forever – that little baby saved us all.