2017 ReSOULutions

Although the blog was pretty silent last year, the life we lived was full, fun, and everything in between. Literally.  Moving after being settled in a place for twenty years was nothing short of pure chaos.  While the word settled, bounced around in my brain as my one little word for the new year, it just never stuck. For the most part, we're five months into the new house and while there are things we want to change, we are comfortable.  Our roots have been planted.  The chaos has cleared.  Our hearts are already calling this new place home.

However, a different word kept coming back to me.  The word remember.  At first I thought maybe because I've been having these little lapses of where did I put this?  Or racking my brain to think of the right word for. . .but it just kept feeling like the right word.  So I brainstormed.  Remember what, God? And this is how He spoke to me. . .

Remember:

• His promises
• His words on my heart
• Only love today
• Listen more, talk less
• His perfect plans
• Treat my body like a temple
• Give them grace
• All I'm promised is today
• They are only little once
• Life is not an emergency
• Be patient, I don't know the battle someone else is fighting.
• God's got this.
• To shine his light
• to retreat
• to be still
• His love for me
• I am His beloved.

At church New Year's Day, God spoke through our pastor to remember these three things this year: affection, affirmation, attention.

My Mission Statement:  This year I will remember to be kinder to myself, to my spouse, to my kids, to everyone I meet.  Smile more.  Frown less.  Remember:  I set the tone for the house.

Value:  The time we have together.  Get off devices and pay attention.  Carve out family time and individual quality time.  Read aloud daily.  Remember:  All we have is today.

Verse:  "Remember His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations."  1 Chronicles 16:15 

When I get overwhelmed because let's face it, all of the above is A LOT TO REMEMBER. . .I simply need to remember Him.  He will supply whatever it is I need to remember in that moment. Here's to a new year in a new place with a new outlook on life.  Let's live it and love like never before!

Wrapping It Up

With the end of the year, comes another photo book for my shelf.  I've neglected my Canon for far too long and really need to get back in the swing of using it to capture our real moments.  My phone is more compact and handy, but the quality is not the same.

The year ended with a great cooked meal, some visits from Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle, Bianca, and the baby.  The girls and I snuck away to celebrate with my best friend, Auntie Val for a little bit.

Grandma and her youngest girl

Bubba and Monroe

Did some dreaming with E while the meat smoked.

I prefer to be home on New Year's.  This year I had agreed to a desert trip, but a series of unfortunate events changed those plans and I didn't mind one bit.

New Year's Day dawned with gorgeous weather, so we decided to head outside and explore.

There were SO many deer!

It's neat that we are at a point where everyone can walk and hold their own things, and not complain too much.  We finished the hike with some Subway and football.

Later mom came by with some home made sandwiches, so we toasted the New Year together.

The next day we decided to explore a little more and took the Polaris out.  It was cold but everyone had a really good time, and that made me happy.  I might not be the most adventurous one in the group, but I do all right getting out there and having fun. . .eventually.

 There are just some things that I don't do well, and adventure in the outdoors is one of them.  However, that being said, I have a really good feeling about 2016.  With the kids being older, it is easier to get up and go.  I think we've become more balanced and are used to the addition of a fourth kid. I am softening up and easing up on my own idea of perfection and just trying to enjoy the moment, hands free, face to face, and with real live connection to the people I love most.

Part of 2015 was incredibly lonely for me.  I missed the relationship I had with my youngest brother, but God answers prayers.  I have never seen more answered than this year.  It fills my heart with joy (my word for 2015) that such beauty rose from ashes.  Through it all, joy always remained, I just had to look a little deeper.  The best parts of 2015 remain the cherished memories I have with my family...those in my four walls.  These moments were rich, deep, full, chaotic, simple, and oh so sweet.  I do not take this job of being home with them for granted.  I am so excited to see what the future holds for all of us: )  Happy New Year!

Happy New Years!

 We visited the Rose Parade for the very first time. . . well the after math of the parade to view the floats!  It was SO beautiful--my dad says I've been there before, but I truly can not remember!!

 Our New Year's Eve was quiet.  Plans to travel were thwarted by rain.  But that's okay, visits from loved ones, games, movies, goal setting and celebrating was plenty!

Nessa and Nina

Goal setting

The movie Annie with the cousins

She's got her own style

Plenty of relaxing took place too

At the end of the year, all I  can say is that it was good to us.  Life is full and busy and good.  I never would have thought we would be where we are: me homeschooling, quitting my job, taking guardianship, dealing with aging sick parents, living, laughing, loving.  I think the focus on family grew me this year.  I found myself...and me here with them is enough.