As the new year begins, so many of us make new year's resolutions. Usually, everything from losing weight to spending less (especially this year) is fair game. As you note all of the things you would like to work on in the next year, you may want to consider family resolutions as well.

Whether your family is just beginning its journey together or well on its way, think of how you would like to see your family. What are your hopes and dreams for your family, for your relationships with each other. My bet is that all of your wishes don't cost a penny.You can reach them all with one simple gift to each other: Time.

Think of your favorite memories as a child, and consider this - I doubt many of them involve toys or money, but rather time spent together. When I think back to my time growing up, some of my favorite memories are snuggling up with my family watching movies, playing board games together, going fishing with my dad, playing in the sprinkler in the yard with my sister, and making family trips to the back yard to pick strawberries from our garden. All of my favorite times are tied to moments when I felt the warmth of my family's love. I want my kids to feel my love, too, to know that I love them not from the toys they have but from the times we spend together.

So this year, our family is resolving to spend more time together. Not just time in the same house, but time actively enjoying each other's company, without distractions and uninterrupted. I am going to let the laundry go more often, and learn to ignore the garbage under the kitchen table a little more. My babies are only babies once, and I want to be sure they grow up knowing how much they are loved. - Sara I.