Today, I lifted my eyes and saw a canopy of trees filled with monkeys. I was sitting in a natural hot spring after having taken a mud bath, and I tilted my head back to see dozens of monkeys swinging from lush, green trees. If they could talk I'm sure I'd hear idle talk of banana thievery and a recent branch misgiving resulting in a tail injury. If I could talk to them, I'd detail just how happy I was. Sitting there, next to JD, rubbing off traces of volcanic mud from my sun-kissed skin.

This afternoon, my sister, JD, and I spoke about our goals for 2009. Not New Year's resolutions, but goals. A way for us to keep each other accountable throughout the next year to ensure we're on the same page and aligned to reach our hopes. Some of my goals were repetitive (I've been swearing to lose 15 pounds every year since I was 11-years-old), were honest (I need to be a better wife), and some were work-related. Voicing my goals for the year was a little tough (I mean, really, if I fail, I look like such a LOSER), but I take solace in knowing there are two people in the world who will keep me accountable to what I set out to do.

I hope and sincerely encourage you to write out your goals because at this time next year, you'll be able to see what needs improvement, how to grow, and–most importantly–to see how far you've come. Afterall, if you don't know where you want to go, you'll always be lost.

Here's a recent picture my sister snapped of JD and me from our photo safari yesterday. Yes. Yes, I know I look like I dressed myself like I was blindfolded in a farm town costume store. Oh, but cut me some, slack, Internet…it's hot in Costa Rica and I just wanted to be comfortable!