A new year

With a new year on the immediate horizon I find myself thinking of lots of things.

My "to do" list for the year however was created 5 months ago.

On our way home from our honeymoon, A and I wrote out 10 things we would like to do in our first year of marriage. Our "goals/wish lists" were scribbled on resort stationary and tucked away for the year. The lists were made quickly ( 15 minutes from landing) and without a ton of pondering or planning. In a quiet moment (there were lots more of these in 2006) the following year we reviewed and scored our accomplishments. We have done the same thing every year since. One year we even delayed setting our goals as we did not have hotel stationary to write on. It is always fun to see what we aspired to do and which one of us ended up completing more of their goals. I have never got a perfect score.

Everything on my anniversary to do list is a yes or no. I.e. Did I complete a Mac Book for 2011? The list does not include harder and bigger things to work on.

Was I more relaxed as a Mom this year?

OR

Did I say "hold on a second" less this year?

OR EVEN

Did I ignore the dirty dishes and play trains more this year?

BETTER STILL

Every week can I say I did something just for me and something just for my family?

I think you can see where I am going.

I want to learn to ignore the dirt/dishes/clutter/chaos more ( or find a way to clean up faster) I want to go on many more family outings and trips ( simple ones) , I want to run and quilt more because it is good for my soul not because it fit into my busy schedule.

I know I will be a better wife, friend, sister, Mom, and a better me if I work harder at enjoying today instead of planning tomorrow.

The banner I created at the top of this blog ( although not what I envisioned, but for now it is fine. Picnic and I may kill each other tonight) is my reminder of this promise each time I log in. Just as it keeps me focused on what is important it will also keep me in touch with what I love talking/writing about the most.

Can't wait to hear from so many of you again this year.

Ciao for now,

JB

A blessing for the new year

God, bless our year

giving us

time for the task

peace for the pathway

wisdom for the work

friends for the fireside

love to the last.

~The Mothers Union Anthology of Public Prayers.