Happy New Year
I fell off the wagon. I’m not quite sure what happened. Actually that’s a total lie, I do know. Passion was lost and a lot of life happened. My hubs, our family and I had a tremendous 2015. We lived so full! But somewhere along the lines, this blog took a chair on the sidelines. One day a few months back, my sage-like and wise hubs asked..”Why aren’t you blogging” I milled the answer around in my mind for days…swirling it like the last few sips in a wine glass before I came back to him with my answer. My tap house of creativity had bottomed out. I was too busy “doing” and not taking the downtime I needed and loved, to write. That is a recipe for disaster in a creative brain. Funny thing is; I THOUGHT I was taking down time. Now that I look back over this year, I was full steam ahead. What a great learning lesson.
I am praying for my One Word for the year (I do not do resolutions, I do a WORD) I am being patient. God always comes through on the word. I wait with great expectation and excitement for what God has in store. My word last year was Risk. Come to find out, that was a heavy word for my world, in so many horribly, wonderful ways. It was a tremendous year of risk. I embraced it, but am happy to moving forward into the New Year. I had a sweet, dear girlfriend tell me a few weeks back, to “Lean In” <to God> I’m leaning, sister. I’m leaning.
As I go forward into the New Year, here are the things I DID take heart to. Maybe they weren’t’ being spilled out onto the pages of my blog, Facebook or other social media, but they were there. They are still there. They are still resonating inside me. Things I noticed and things I learned for 2015. If nothing else, THIS was an incredible year of learning experiences for me. And that, brings growth!
There is nothing like family.
Small things are often the biggest things of all.
Sacrifice
Humility and selflessness are key elements to feeling truly fulfilled.
I need sand in my toes.
Raising a new puppy is exhilarating, takes patience and makes you belly laugh all within a 10 second period.
True, authentic friends are everything.
When life is rough, you learn who is true. And sadly, who isn’t.
Being sick is NO joke.
Raising your last senior is heartbreaking.
There’s true joy in making snow angels.
Laughter can be a great cure.
Joy needs to happen. Every. Single. Day.
Red wine and a girlfriend can bring world peace.
God is everywhere. Just take the time to stop and take a look.
Mountains make me feel so small and incredibly enormous at the same time.
A dog’s love knows no boundaries.
When you have something good, hold onto it for dear life.
Cancer sucks.
Sometimes you just have to cry.
Having a daily dance party is a necessity.
Being private pushes some people away, unfortunately.
Don’t take yourself too serious.
Puppy kisses are the BEST.
My husband is the best human I have ever had the chance to know and love.
There is nothing like having all of your kids in one place at one time.
Travel needs to happen. And often.
Don’t be afraid to do something new.
The alpine lake is cold; jump in anyway. You certainly won’t regret it.
Seek out some sort of adventure, daily.
Never allow fear to beat you.
If you aren’t absolutely happy, change.
No amount of persuasion can make me do something I chose not to do.
Giving, really only fills you up.
Comfort zones; smash them.
Generosity gives you millions.
You are WAY stronger than you think.
My laugh lines are gorgeous; it means I’ve had a lifetime of joy and laughter.
Taking care of your body is not selfish.
Doing what you love is not selfish.
Some people can be so poor that all they have is money.
You can see a generous heart a mile away. And sadly, vice-versa.
Love one another fiercely.
Have a passion.
Sadly, not everyone is a nice person.
Want exactly what you have and you will feel rich beyond anything you can imagine.
There is nothing like a Mama heart.
Just when you think your kids have gone off the deep end, they become your best friends.
Racing, running, triathlon is not who you are.
Embrace and drink in every second you can with your children.
Do the things that make your heart beat wildly and bring you happiness.
That still, small voice..listen…It’s the voice of God.
Receiving cards from friends can light up your darkness.
Smile at every stranger. They need it, or they will think you’re weird. Either way, it’s a win.
Give to the homeless and less fortunate.
Take the trip of a lifetime. You aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.
Get into an RV and travel across the country.
Take your shoes off a walk in the grass.
Remember, you are raising someone’s husband or wife. Grow your kids accordingly.
Laugh everyday until you cry.
Being on a Panamanian island for 2 weeks with teenagers is like wrangling cats.
Treat people nicely and with respect.
Burn the nice candle.
Take lots of photos. You won’t always remember.
Go out and build the snowman.
When you’re with friends, put your phone down. Don’t waste their time, or yours.
Run in the snow, sunshine and rain.
Never sit inside on a sunny day.
You CAN live in a house with 17 people for a week and all get along…in fact, you can have the time of your life.
That thing that you’ve dreamed of doing….do it!
Your house looks great! Your friends don’t care anyway.
Really listen to people.
Drink the expensive wine.
Act goofy. Who cares?
Be yourself. Who are you trying to impress?
Sweat. Every. Single. Day.
Commuter flights in a foreign country can be an act of insurmountable courage.
Celebrating 50 years of marriage is a HUGE milestone to be treasured.
Laugh at yourself.
When traveling, learn the local language. Even if it’s only a few phrases. The locals will love you!
Don’t ever go to bed mad at a family member.
Sing Karaoke and make a fool of yourself.
Do something this year that you thought you could not.
Give generously.
Watch the sunrise and/or sunset. It will WOW you! Always!
Make people laugh wildly.
Risk….it was harder than I thought.
Happy Blessed 2016 
