A New Year.

So, as much as I love the holidays...can I just say I'm a little happy they are over?

 

I know, it seems like crazy talk coming from the girl whose absolute favorite time of the year is Christmas...but there is something so refreshing about the start of a new year.

New beginnings, new intentions, new goals to work on.

 A fresh start at living the life you want.

And I realize that really, that fresh start is available to us each day...but something with the changing of the year really drives the message home.

 

2012 has been an incredible year: a dream was fulfilled when we were able to take a family trip to Paris, we have watched Charlotte grow into an independent, hilarious and amazing little girl, we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary, and of course the biggest blessing came at the closing of the year with the birth of our Madeleine. There have been so many celebrations and gatherings with friends and family we love.

It's been a good year.

 

But, that's not to say that it didn't bring with it its challenges...the biggest of them being the struggle to find balance, particularly these last two months of the year. And I almost feel bad writing that because I never want Madeleine to someday look back on these ramblings of mine and feel that she was the cause of any imbalance. So for the record, she is not the cause. She is such a mellow, sweet baby that I honestly pinch myself wondering how we got so lucky to have such an incredible baby to snuggle as our own.

 

Yet still...the challenge of finding balance in it all is there.

Time for the girls.

Time for Nick.

Time for family and friends.

Time for my work.

Time for myself.

 

I don't think that this balance I speak of is something that I will someday arrive at. Like, ah ha! There you are balance! Now I've got it all figured out!

Rather, I think it is just something that has to continually be visited, examined and sought out. I think at different times it means different things. I've decided it is going to be my word for 2013.

 

And so I'm not making any resolutions in the traditional sense this year.

 I'm putting out into the universe my goals for what I believe will help me continue to find balance and clarity in my life.
(It has to be noted that some of these ideas have been "borrowed" and jotted down from other blogs I've been reading. But good ideas are meant to be shared, right?)

 

-Be present for my girls. Always. Everyday. They are only going to be this little once.

-Be a loving and patient wife and mother.

-Be authentic in conversations and relationships and put away technology. There are so many times I notice that Nick and I are both looking at our phones, or when I notice I'm at a gathering of friends and I'm checking what the latest facebook status is. There is no need for this. The blog posts, status updates and Instagram pictures will all be there later. I want to engage in the conversations and people I am with.

-Seek out new music and sing everyday.

-Feed my body with nutritious, whole foods.

-Be kind and gentle with my body. No more self deprication- this body birthed two babies and they are worth every single change it's seen.

-Run.

-Hold a positive space around money. I particularly liked her wording for this one. It is easy for me to stress about finances, savings, particularly now with our family of four...but as my mom always says, "All will be well".

-Be open to change and let go of the idea of perfection.

 

And lastly...

 

Here's to a year of living the life we all picture!