2015. Thrive!

Its the same story every year. Christmas season begins and I never have a moment to sit. Then it ends with a loooong list of "resolutions"... basically I call out all of my shortcomings and weaknesses and promise myself that I am going to do and be better on every one of them... its a long list. And despite the fact that I know that we are supposed to only focus on one goal at a time (to cut down the overwhelming feeling you get when your list is too long... and to up your chances for success...) I still write a list about a mile long.

Now its the end of January. How am I doing you ask? Well, lets just say that its a good thing no one knows just how long my list actually is... so according to the public, I am doing great! But between you and me, January is a difficult month for me. Always. Every year. Its the longest month of the year.

This particular January is less miserable because of the un-winter we are having here in Utah. No snow, except for the stuff that came on Christmas (thanks Santa!). Its not even that blisteringly cold! So I am already for spring to arrive. But that is a total side story... usually January is the worst month of the year. 

My list always includes: 

• Be a better (read: more fun, more attentive, happier, cooler.... insert other desirable adjectives here) mother/ wife/ friend. etc. 
• Be better in my financial life
• Lose weight
• Clean the house
• Be healthy
• etc, etc, etc... blah, blah, blah...

New year resolutions. What a funny thing. Yet I participate in this particular tradition every year. I secretly love the new year because of the "clean slate" sort of feeling that I talk myself into every January the 1st. I'm a planner, a goal setter, and a dreamer. I'm quite comfortable in the planning stages of any project. I'm also a perfectionist, so I tend to find myself stuck in this phase because I don't want to screw it up and not get the outcome that I tend to dream about... (this is a problem I'm working on)

This year is different. Not that my list is any shorter than it has been in past years (I promise, its not)... No, this year I have an umbrella goal. Its a goal that covers all the others. I hope that this theory will mean I end up with a small feeling of accomplishment, rather than total failure... 

My mantra for 2015 is: I don't want to just Survive... Now is the time to THRIVE. 

What does that mean? It means I finally tackle the projects that I have set aside for "later." It means I attack the clutter strewn around the house and release it into the world by any means necessary (yes, there is a yard sale in our future). It means a quick kick in the behind for our financial planning sessions, a budget that we stick to, and the use of my new favorite word. "NO" wow. what a freeing word. Its seems silly, but those two letters mean I can finally have time to achieve things on my personal bucket list.

So here's to 2015! The year I get to thrive! Who's with me?!

No.11 | Motherhood

A gratitude list would not be complete before I have something to say about my favorite little things.

This one is 3.5 years old. I love watching him learn new things every day. He is fun and smart and sweet. I love his ears, his smile, the way he says "I love you, Mom!" Even the face he makes when he has just burped. A mixture of pride and mischievousness... I love to watch him play. He is my sweet heart. He is very aware and concerned about things and people around him.

This one is 1 year old. Happy, beautiful, smart, and busy. She has mastered walking and almost mastered running skills. (She needs these for when she steals something from her brother and tries to run away.) She is already talking a little bit too! She can tell me when she wants milk, when she wants "mo(re)", and when she is "dunnn." She is happy to say, "Hi!" when someone walks into the room. She is learning so much, and she brings us so much joy.

I just love being their mother. I'm grateful to get to spend my days with these little ones! My biggest (little) blessings!

No.10 | Everyday Miracles

It has been a rough few days here at home. The little one has one of those "go-big-or-go-home" personalities and it seems that her body has responded. 4 molars all at once makes for a miserable time the past week. Besides the teeth we've been watching a fever all over the place and reach up to 104... and... lets just say I know what a used tissue feels like... Turns out its a sinus infection.

All this drama has really given me perspective on things to be grateful for this week. Its all about the little things people. Those things that happen whether we recognize them or not... the every day, mundane, yet powerfully miraculous things I take for granted most days. For example:

Running water or even one step further... indoor plumbing. What greater gift and blessing than that of a faucet that will emit forth clean, drinkable, bathe-able, warm (if needed) water? I mean seriously?!

Along those lines, I can't forget electricity. Its kind of a big deal... but the things it makes possible are little things that are easily overlooked. PBS would not be watchable, there would be not Pinterest or internet... No cozy lights (or heat...), no working oven (or microwave... and that makes microwave popcorn difficult to pop...). No clean laundry. Just to name a few of my everyday necessities...

How about a pen and paper. Cardboard boxes. Blanket forts. Zippers and buttons. The magic clinging sound of change in a jar. Velcro shoe fasteners. Yoga pants and over sized T-shirts. (maybe I shouldn't admit to that one...) Basically, life is a miracle. Thank goodness!