Every year I make a pact with myself to get the holiday cards out a week earlier than last year. Of course, its mid-December and although I’ve received many in the mail, I have yet to even order mine. But, next year will be different—I know it.

And speaking of pacts, this year I’ve made some New Year’s resolutions that I’ve vowed to abide by. I’m relying on the other moms I connect with to keep me on track. And vice versa — because after all, no one understands the joys and challenges of motherhood better than a fellow mom.

1) Actually make time to workout - to lose the last of that baby weight!

2) Stop checking email after 6 PM – focus on family when the workday ends

3) Read a “grown-up” book – one that doesn’t rhyme

4) Schedule and partake in the girls night I’m always talking about with my friends – to remember how much fun it can be to wear lipstick and heels

5) Volunteer – to show my kids that giving is better than getting

6) Make new friends – listen and learn from other moms

7) Organize! Toss all of the junk mail – if I didn’t read it today, I won’t read it tomorrow

Be on top of important dates – send cards on time this year

9) Remember every day is a blessing – take full advantage of it

10) Buy something special – not every trip to the mall has to be for the kids

Jaine is a military wife, mother of a 2-yr-old daughter, founder of Moms and Tots of San Diego (www.bigtent.com/groups/mtsd) and a full-time technology coach at Big Tent, helping other community groups effectively use technology to grow and prosper. Respond with your resolutions for “Mommy Resolutions” for 2008.

A Recipe for a Perfect Mother’s Day 

Ingredient #1: Let mom sleep in. This means being quiet on Mother’s Day morning. No loud TV or loud music before mom decides to get out of bed. No loud complaining of “Mom, I can’t find my shirt, pants [or any other article of clothing which mom is somehow magically supposed to, and surprisingly often does, know where it is].” Surely you can find something semi-clean to wear. Better yet, just give mom some earplugs the night before so she can simply sleep through anything.

Ingredient #2: Let mom have breakfast in bed. In order to make sure this can actually happen, make sure you know where all of the ingredients, bowls, utensils, and other items you’ll need are in the kitchen. Make a list of everything you’ll need and make sure you know where all of it is the night before. I have included an easy breakfast recipe at the end of these “ingredients.” It has just 6 ingredients and all you need is an electric mixer, bowl, and two bread pans. Under no circumstances should you wake mom up in order to find out where something is. Improvise. If it doesn’t turn out, a nicely arranged bowl of cereal that she didn’t have to make is still a nice Mother’s Day breakfast.

Ingredient #3: Let mom have the day off. This means no cooking, cleaning, laundry, or running errands. Chances are pretty good that she does one or more of these things the other 364 days of the year. Let her have Mother’s Day off. If she starts doing one of those things, pleasantly surprise her and offer to do it yourself. And for you kids, I am going to invoke the right of all mothers, she endured X hours of labor in order to bring you into the world, certainly she deserves one day a year off.

Ingredient #4: Tell her “I love you” at least once on Mother’s Day. You know she loves to hear that sappy kind of stuff so indulge her. Telling mom you love her does not make you less cool, less of a rebel, less of a man, or any of the other things you might be worried about. Yes, I realize I have just dated myself but I am hoping that you still get my point. Mom loves you. Admitting that you love her too is okay. You can still be yourself and love your mom.

Ingredient #5: Give mom the gift of your day. Give her your attention for the day. Perhaps even have a meaningful talk about something important going on in your life. Moms love that kind of stuff. Let her choose what the family will do on Mother’s Day. In a world where we never seem to have enough time for each other anymore, let her have you all to herself that day. Who knows, you might even enjoy having that special time with her.

Here’s the easy breakfast recipe I promised.

Poppy Seed Bread

1 package yellow cake mix
1 package instant coconut cream pudding
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup oil
4 eggs
1/4 cup poppy seed

Put all of the above ingredients in a large bowl. Mix all of the ingredients together with an electric mixer on low speed for 4 minutes. Pour the mixture evenly into two bread pans and bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. (A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.) Allow the bread to cool for about 30 minutes (it should be just slightly warm to the touch) and then carefully take a table knife and run it around the edge of the pan. Using the table knife or your fingers, gently loosen the bread from the bottom of the pan. Turn the pan upside down over a plate. The bread should slide out. If it doesn’t, gently tap the bottom of the pan to loosen it. Turn the bread right side up, slice it up and you are ready to serve it to mom.

Happy Baking and Happy Mother’s Day!