A New Year

A few things always happen to me in January: I feel inspired to Prioritize (which always leads to a New Year's resolution), I decide I want to organize my whole house, and I turn one year older =0).

As for New Year's resolutions, two years ago I started a new personal tradition of coming up with one word I want to focus on for the year. 2 years ago, my word was Cherish, last year it was Childhood, and this year the word I have decided on is "Listen." What does "listen" mean to me? It means really listening to Brad, really listening to Liv, really listening to Gwen, and really listening to Beckham, so that I can really know them and really perceive their needs, and not just assume them. Really listening to my kids so that they will always want to talk to me. Really listening to my friends so that I can be a good friend to them. And taking the time, and humbling myself enough to listen to the Spirit, and learning about the many ways it prompts me, and directs me. Even, taking time to listen to nature around me. Maybe the word listen signifies slowing down, and taking it all in and learning about and from my surroundings.

As for organizing, I've caught the bug. If only I had more time =0). It may take me a while to get it all done, but I'm ready to purge and regain control of all my closets, drawers and hiding places. As proof of my urges, I'm reading the first book I have read in a long time, "Organizing from the inside out." Order, and cleanliness, Aahhh (That's my dream).

And for Turning a year older, As of Wednesday, I am 29. I take my birthday very seriously. I really look forward to it, and I love every bit of it. I had a really wonderful birthday this year. Starting with birthday wishes from my family, leaving a clean house =0), lunch with good friends, ice skating with my girls, and dinner with Brad and the kids. Brad proved his talent of gift giving once again. He got me an outdoor fireplace, I've been dreaming of roasting hotdogs and marshmallows ever since. Thank you to everyone who did something little or something big for me that day. You really made me happy =0).

And lastly, I have started a project for the year, I plan to take 12 pictures to document my day on the 12th day of every month this year. Here's the first one:


12 of 12|January 2010|Tuesday|

• Woke up at 6:30(I always feel tired waking up when it's dark outside)
• Helped Liv get ready for School.
• Sent Liv off to School and cleaned up the house
• Bathed and dressed Beckham, and then put him down for a nap so I could-->
  
• Showered and got ready for the day, Gwen (as always) came upstairs as soon as she heard the shower, took her clothes off and hopped right in the shower with me.
  
• Went over to Amy's house and enjoyed her light filled house, and had fun talking as we organized a closet.
• Went to Target still in a good mood, and got sucked in by the heart shaped measuring cups and spoons in the dollar section.
• Played *Play*Dough*, I must have been in a good mood, because I dread Playdough messes =0).
  
• Brought Gwen home to meet play with Nana.
  
• Did a bit of organizing and catching up
• Liv came home to play too.
• Took the girls to the gym to meet Brad
• Went to the church for a Young Woman's activity.
• Hung out with the 12-18 year old girls from church and talked about our theme for this year, Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and of a good courage."
• Came home to Brad.
• Looked through Liv's back pack and was taken by this homework assignment......was amazed that Kindergartners can do story problems that include multiplication...
• Got into my cozy warm bed next to my personal heater (BR) and enjoyed Beckham sleeping through the night =0).