One Simple Word

I started writing this post about 3 weeks ago, at the beginning of January.  But, as we all know, life happens and a big 'ol cup of coffee was spilt on my laptop.  Just like that, the keyboard was out of commission.  Unfortunately, I didn't have anyone to blame but myself.  My cup of coffee, my arm knocking it over onto my laptop.  My fault.  My frustration.  Anyway, luckily the hard drive wasn't affected, a trip to the Apple Store, more dollars than I wanted to fork over and computer is back in business.

Anyway, New Years Resolutions.
I know, I know, I'm over due....too bad :)

I've never really been one to make new years resolutions (here and here are some of my resolutions ~ sort of ).  But I do like to have goals and I always want to strive for something.  The last few years I've noticed the "word of the year" trend amongst many.  I like the idea of it.  Check these blogs out and read about the words they chose for this year:

Oh my Handmade Goodness (Organize)
Holy Craft (Intent)
Kimbo from a Girl and a Glue Gun (Balance)

Organize, intent, balance or how about simplify, breathe, joyful, loving, whole, and vibrant, etc.

Those are all good ones, but I was wanting more.  And I decided MORE was going to be my word of the year.  I mean, I want more patience, more energy, more focus, more understanding, more love, etc.

MORE

But, I don't want or need more stuff. I don't want more physical items in my life.  However, I do want more of the things that are intangible.  More of myself ~ everyday.  So I kept thinking, MORE just didn't feel right.

And then it hit me.

I want to BE more loving
I want to BE more patient
I want to BE more optimistic
I want to BE more forgiving
I want to BE more considerate
I want to BE a better wife
I want to BE a better mom
I want to BE a better friend
I want to BE more determined
I want to BE more prayerful

And the list can go on and on and on.  So you see, I don't want to change myself, I just want to BE more of who I already am.

So my word of the year:

Do you make resolutions or have a word of the year?  What are they?

Is it really over?

2 weeks ago my house was still decked out with greenery, ribbon and wreaths.

Today, my tree and those of my neighbors lay alongside the road.

Waiting to be picked up.

Disposed of or perhaps recycled.

The gifts have been given and received.  Put away in new homes.  After all, a place for everything...

So,

Christmas is behind us.

Is it?

Should it be?

I hope not.  After all, Christmas isn't just about receiving.  It's about giving.  Giving of our gifts.  Not just material things, but the gifts of us:  our time, our energy, our patience, our praise, our prayers, our love... for everyone.

You maybe saw our Christmas card this year:

(yep, I got the idea via Pinterest)

But many of you probably haven't seen the inside.

This is the quote I chose to use this year:


Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself...

~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976


This is how I want to live this year. 

But it's easy to get stuck in a rut.  Feeling weary, run down, busy and worn thin.  I don't want to be that person.  The one who finds themselves easily frustrated because the toys on the floor never go away.  (Actually I think two more come out for every one I put away.)  Or the dinner that gets scowls as I set it on the table.  I want to be the person who is able to choose Christmas everyday, not just once a year.

Joy. Generosity. Love. Prayers.  Happiness. Anticipation. Excitement.

This is my resolution.

Picture Me {IM}Perfectly

Something To Think about Sunday ~ Resolutions

Ah, a new year is upon us and that means new resolutions.

Do you make resolutions?

In thinking about the new year, I'm with a lot of people. I am working towards getting a bit more organized. You know, closets, pictures, papers, toys.....

Simple and straight forward.

However, the other night Smiley woke up in the middle of the night and she got me thinking....

For her waking up in the middle of the night is NOT typical. Smiley started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks old with only sporadic wakings after that. She is a good sleeper and likes her sleep.

Sassy too was a pretty good sleeper. She was not sleeping through the night at 6 weeks, probably around 3 months though. She was our first baby and when she would wake in the middle of the night, I was all business. Feed her, change her, rock her back to sleep.

Action, well, the name fits him. He was not a sleeper and it was not unlike him to get up a couple of times a night. I was never quite sure what he needed. Was he hungry, needing a clean diaper, not tired, just needy? Who knows. He still gets up most nights to go to the bathroom. When he would wake up as a baby, I was often tired, crabby and frustrated. Why wouldn't he just sleep?

Smiley. Yes, she has been an easy baby. But, I also had a very different perspective with her (I blame that on age). When she would wake in those first few weeks as a newborn, I would take care of business: feedings and diapers. But I always had it in my head, no matter how tired or frustrated I was that these sleepless nights would someday end and I could NEVER get them back. This was our time. Hers and mine and she needed me right then.

So, the other night when she woke up at 1:30, I was tired (and suprised). But, I held my little girl, cuddled her and just looked at her. I enjoyed her. And at 2:45 when she finally fell asleep again it was almost hard to lay her down in her crib and walk away.

Now, back to resolutions.

There are so many moments in our lives good and bad, convenient and not so much, exciting and boring. But really, it comes down to our thoughts and actions during these times.

Therefore, I challenge you in this new year, to find a way to enjoy the good and bad times, the convenient and inconvenient times, and the moments that are exciting and boring.

Because, like this quote says:

"Remember the little things for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

-Unknown

So, I'm off to begin to organize things and also to remember and cherish the moments ~ big and small!


I am curious though, what are your resolutions?