Your Best Year Ever

It's time again to wrap up another year. 

We are cleaning up and putting away the last evidence of Christmas and reflecting on the past year.  This year has taught me so many things, good and bad. It's taught me that change is an okay thing. It's also taught me that I cannot take anything for granted because the life we have created, can be taken from us at anytime.

As I sit here reflecting, I am left with a puzzling thought of "New Years Resolutions". Every single year, people try to find things that they aren't happy with or don't like about themselves, and then try to come up with a "plan" to make that thing better throughout the year, (which is ridiculous 'cause by January 5th, you've already reverted back to what you were doing December 31st... Just sayin).

Whether your Resolution be weight loss or maybe being selfless, I'm not sure we should just focus on self help once a year. Once we "slip up" (Jan 5) we just say" Oh well, I've already blown this years chance, there's always next year". 

I think we should always be aware of "bad habits" that are ruling over our lives on a day to day basis and be on the look out for healthy solutions, no I'm not talking about salads instead of cheese burgers. I'm talking about anger vs peace. Jealousy vs being humble...etc you get my point. 

I think we are responsible for how we act and react...and that we should always try to make ourselves into more positive, open minded beings, but sometimes we fail under the pressure. We want to be better and better every year, and the reality of it is, we are trying to change ourselves in so many ways, our own efforts end up leaving us exhausted and weary. 

One of the most reassuring and successful solution to anyone's problems or insecurities worthy of a resolution is learning to Let go and Let God. There are some things and sometimes where there is no strength left to move on and go forward in the right direction. With all the constant pressure to fulfill cultures standards it's easy to get lost in the mix. Coming from the past year(s) I've had, I'm tired and I'm worn out.  I've tried to fix myself in ridiculous ways and even tried changing others, which by the way, YOU CANNOT DO!!

So this year, my resolution is of simple nature, though may, at times feel impossible. It will be the  answer to everything and in every situation will bring the peace my human soul desires. 

My wish for you in 2014, is to slow down. To cherish your families, never missing an opportunity to express your love. To give your all in everything you do. And when there comes a time where you have no answers for a solution, or when the problem you face is much bigger than yourself, or when you've been beaten down and bruised from this unforgiving world, or when your road gets black from sin and despair..... I pray you let it go, and let God be the one to handle it. This thing is no surprise to our God. He is much stronger than we are and He already knows the outcome. 

 Let go and Let God in 2014! 

Let them be little

I remember the day like it was yesterday. 

It was a cold, early morning in December. I hadn't slept much more than 2 hours. The combination of excitement and being terrified occupied every available place in my brain. All I could think was this is really the last time we will leave home just the two of us, we are bringing home a baby....

Our induction was scheduled for 4 am.... (Holy cow!!) We arrive at the hospital, get to L&D only to find out they decided to push us back to 8 am. Are you kidding me? I'm 9 months pregnant, been up almost all night, and you just happened to forget to at least call and tell this?? 

Once we got there at 8, things went really smoothly. I had a room full of family there supporting me through the whole dang day!! 

We waited...and waited... and waited. Finally at 10:58pm my whole entire world was changed, never to ever be the same again... Jake and I were parents.

For days and days, I felt as though I was on a high. I wasn't quite convinced this 8lb 4oz baby girl was truly not leaving and staying here permanently. I felt as though I was having an out of body experience, watching my avatar play with this tiny human. 

This precious angel has truly changed my life. I've watched from her first breath all the way up until this very moment, growing and developing. She has taught me humbleness, patience, grace and true love.

 She has taught me how beautiful life can be. It still to this day amazes me the beauty of pregnancy, birth and raising this tiny human. It is all very challenging, especially the first time. But somehow, through the groggy, sleepless nights, thousands of diaper changes, numerous clothing changes a day, mommy and baby. Through nothing but sweats and greasy hair and wishing for even 5 min of peace alone. Through the wiping of tears and noses, through the kisses of boo boos and make believe play. Through toys taking over every room of the house and late night cuddles. Through embarrassing grocery store behavior and beautiful colored pictures ... On the wall. 

We some how make it. 

 

There is no instruction guide or return policy. But we make it. We grow and we fail and we grow and we fail. But we make it. You ever stop making it. You add to your title list, forever more, parent.

I cannot believe how much of a personality our Shaylee has. I've never see anything quite like it. She has brought so much joy to my life I think about it and tear up. The love of a mother is honestly, indescribable. She has the most intimate, personal bond with her baby. Until you've experienced what it's like, will you ever, truly understand. 

This little princess has brought this family so much closer. She is responsible for mounds and mounds of joy and love. She has taught me how incredibly important it is to just relax, and have fun. We are only here in this life for so many years. Why waste them scolding our children for being children? I'm reminded of the song "Let them be little" because honestly, they are only that way for awhile. Then they grow, find love, and have their own families... In the blink of an eye. 

Shaylee has taught me to cherish now. To cherish what we are handed right now. She has no fear of tomorrow, she only knows now. How incredibly inspiring?! 

As I sit and remember 12/16/2011, tears fill my eyes. My sweet, precious, genuine, caring, beautiful child is now a big girl. She is already getting more independent and learning her own way to do things. 

Two. I can't believe she is two.

As we celebrate this joyous time, I'm very proud of the daughter I've raised thus far. My wish for this next year is to really not take any moment for granted and to have fun and be careless (appropriately) like a 2 year old! 

Life is just too short! 

Happy Birthday princess, we love you! 

Right hook, left hook

No one ever said it'd be easy, but that it would be worth it. 

Life.    

Every aspect of life, every ounce of the future is really unpredictable. But in order to find out what lies around the next corner, you have to just live. Getting stuck in rut or even lost in an old, familiar routine,  can dampen the perspective of the one chance we get to do life.

The chance to find a career. 

The chance to fall in love.

The chance to marry.

The chance to populate.

The chance to laugh. 

The chance to cry.

The chance to change.

The chance to remain the same. 

The chance to fall.

The chance to dance.

And, the chance to forgive, not only others, but yourself too.

The choice is yours. You are given life, what you do to fill it's time is truly up to you. Sometimes to find who you really are, you need to experience and/or embrace the thing some fear most. Change.

Change is sometimes or almost always, going to be the beginning to your next chapter. You live and live and live the life you are used too and most comfortable with, and then BAM, change appears.

Change isn't always a bad thing. Change opens up new doors and opportunities you may never thought existed. But, depending on where you are in your journey, change may be absolutely detrimental and extremely devastating. It may be so bad, you may just think your life as you've ever known it, is over. 

Hello, perspective. 

Perspective is literally someone's reality. And someone's reality, IS THEIR LIFE. (see where I'm going?) The way a person perceives change, will affect the next chapter of their life.

The way we perceive anything in our world, will become our reality which will in turn, be seen through how we live our lives. 

When life throws that right hook your way, our perception of whatever that blow is, will make it or break it. If you come back with a left hook, essentially with a perception of acceptance, your transition will be easier. 

With the one life we have to live already begun, it is our job to not dwell on what was, but what is yet to come. Although we don't have total control over out future, it is with great importance to face trials and even happy times, with a positive outlook and a grand perspective. 

Don't let the fear of change, keep you from living life. It is too precious to exhaust all your efforts trying to live your life according to others wishes or standards.