Wordless Wednesday - A boy after my own heart!

Thoughts about Carpe Diem

Some thoughts about Carpe Diem, shared by a friend:

2011 Lesson #2: Don't Carpe Diem

Not my words, obviously, but many of them resounded with me. I love parenting. The overall process and journey is amazing as a whole, but some of the details are messy and ugly. My children are only 2 and 5 so I realize I've got a lot of road ahead of me, but it is validating to fellowship and share with other moms so we can feel less alone, inadequate, and more appreciative of the little people God has given us to care for.

Another friend said:

A couple years ago, an older lady smiled at me in the donut store (as my 2 toddlers were wild with excitement and I was wearing my baby in the Bjorn) and told me, "The days are long but the years are fast."


Thanks, Mom Friends, for your honesty and transparency.

Wordless Wednesday - Loev

Resolutions

I make them every year, and sometimes I complete them and most of the time I do not, which I realize makes undermines the general public's definition of "New Year's Resolutions." However, let me explain to you my rational: Of course I think it is important to complete a goal, but more important to me is working toward a goal. My goals change according to family or life circumstances, and sometimes they are at the mercy of time or energy, so that means they may change. But I am going to make them again. I won't tell you that I will complete them, but I will tell you that these are the things that I think are important TODAY, that I plan on spending time with:

Lose the baby weight and get in some exercise. 

Ferr realz. Cliche, maybe, but true for me. I am looking forward to feeling comfortable in my own skin again.

Journal 3-5 times per week. 

Sometimes these will be public posts, other times they will just be for me. And I think I might use this idea:

From Design Sponge

Isn't is great for capturing the essence of a day?! And I love that multiple years are tracked on the same sheet.

Read 12 books.

Just one a month, so that seems feasible to me. If you have any suggestions, shout 'em out! I have a few on my list but am always looking for more. My list so far includes:

• How to Love an American Man
• The Family Dinner
• The Soldier's Wife
• Love and Respect
• Bittersweet
• Captivating
• I Dared to Call Him Father
• The One Hundred
• The Happiness Project

I'll be keeping track of my progress here, on Goodreads.

Decorate my Home (for Cheap).

Which means lots of DIY, and lots of help from family, friends, and hubby. We bought our home just 6 months ago, but we are still trying to get it done up. Pinterest has been both helpful and extremely overwhelming to this process.

Being Thankful.

Church service yesterday was great, and my one word from Colossians that I am longing for in 2012 is Thankfulness. And don't get me wrong; I am thankful (for my healthy babies, for a new beautiful house, for a wonderful family, for good steady jobs, and on and on), but then I pick up from my thankfulness and begin wanting more. I want to dwell in thankfulness this year. What I have been given is enough.  

So there you are. My resolutions for 2012 today. They may change, or they may not get done, but this is my focus right now.

A New Year. A Fresh Start.

Hello??? Is this thing on?

I figured a 30-month hiatus has been restorative enough. My last post was July 2009, and there have been a lot of changes in our family since then:

We bought a house

Ryan has steady, full-time employment 

Emily is now 5 and in kindergarten

Jake is 2 1/2 years old

I'm not back because I stumbled upon some extra time, or thought I needed another hobby. Things are busy enough for me with work and keeping the family fed and things like that; but because of a New Year's Resolution to journal more, I am back. I am enjoying life but I want to be able to remember the simple joys and funny stories. So this is my way of doing that for us. 

So, welcome back (to me, and to you)...let's do this!