So...2018 ends today.
Reflection is the key to self-growth, and as I look back on the year there are many things that I'm proud of, and things that I'm looking forward to working on in the new year.
I think it is important to look at ourselves as a work in progress, as opposed to a "one and done" shot of improvement during the month of January. With that in mind, the first thing I look for is my "One Word" of the year. Last year my word was CONSISTENT. What I love about the "one word" idea is that it can encompass many different areas of our lives. Instead of focusing on one thing...family, health, career, etc...the "one word" can apply to improving anything that falls within the focus.
Last year I focused on consistency. I found that when I was doing things, I really looked for "how is this consistent with who I want to be." It doesn't mean that I was perfect...but I was FAR better at focusing on consistency than I ever had been at any "resolutions" I had set.
This year...I'm not going to forget about my "Consistent" focus from last year, only now I'm looking to add to it with this year's focus.
BALANCE.
This. Is. Needed.
Trust me.
The addition of a fourth child will come in March (or hopefully February) and the previous 6 months haven't been easy on this mama's mind or body. Once most women reach baby #4 they decide to become a stay-home-mom. Especially when the four kiddos will be under the age of 7. I'm not choosing to stay home. I want to keep teaching. BUT...as I progress in my teaching career and family life continues to multiply, it has become obvious that a work-life vs. family-life balance has shifted dramatically since we were new parents 7 years ago. Trying to figure out what that looks like is part of the reason for my "balance" focus of 2019.
The other reason for the "Balance" focus has to do with my other "goals" of 2019. Keep in mind that I don't look at these as all things I'm trying to start on January 1. These are things I want to try and tackle throughout the year as step-by-step improvements to achieve a more balanced lifestyle.
For me, a 2019 Balanced Lifestyle consists MORE or LESS of...
MORE: Books and reading at night before bed.
LESS: Screen time and aimless scrolling of my phone
MORE: Bags of donations and trash
LESS: Clutter and just moving things from one storage location to another
MORE: Water
LESS: Non-Water
MORE: Stretching and moving
LESS: Sitting in the recliner
MORE: Blogging and captioning our REAL lives and not just the "picture perfect" moments. Although, I will still post those picture perfect times too!
LESS: Online "window shopping"
MORE: Continued focus on a consistent healthy choices for my family and myself
LESS: Moments of "gluttony" on my favorite unhealthy choices.
MORE: People surrounding me with the same mindset and goals I have. Positive people help promote a positive lifestyle.
LESS: Negativity and people who spread it.
Achieving any goal we set is a step-by-step process. One slip-up doesn't mean that we failed, it's that we continue to move past it towards a bigger dream and better things to come. Great things come in small steps, not the 31 days of January!
What is your "One-Word" for 2019? What are you striving for?
Monday, December 31, 2018
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Shaggy the Elf
Like all good parents of littles we took our kiddos to see Santa. I'm a frugal parent, and I refuse to go to the mall and pay hyped-up prices for a picture with the big guy. We are fortunate enough that Ethan, as a member of the Knights of Columbus is given the opportunity to bring kids to see Santa, take pictures, color, and eat some cake for a short afternoon get-together.
It's awesome.
Not terribly crowded (which pleases the hubby and I), the kids are entertained, and the "Santa" has an actual real beard and brings "friends."
One of his friends he brings along is a silly elf named Shaggy. Shaggy gets in to all kinds of mischief by teasing Santa and playing little tricks on the kids. Our little Jackie was very interested in Shaggy. To her, he was super annoying and quite funny at the same time.
He took her little toy Santa gave her. And then gave it back. Boy was he silly!
Santa was a hit with our girls for the first time! They actually went independently and sat on his lap without having to be taken by mom. They told him what they wanted for Christmas and that they had been good girls. Jackie also took the time to tattle on that Shaggy.
Billy wasn't a fan right away...no way, no how was he going to sit on that lap. BUT when Santa was about to leave he couldn't let the big guy get away without a fist bump and high-five. Then some swift movements by Santa and mommy got Bill right up on his lap for a picture!
It was a great afternoon.
But little did I know, it wouldn't end there.
Jackie is at a great age for Santa. She is VERY inquisitive about everything he does and how it all works, and for now, the answers that we (and movies) give her seem to satisfy her curiosity. It is such a magical time as a parent too, seeing the joy and wonder of Santa. One of the coolest things our elementary school does is have the little ones write letters to Santa. Preschool through 2nd grade get to spend a little class time writing a letter and sending it off to the North Pole. Those kids come home SUPER excited a few weeks later when they receive a REPLY letter. What those littles don't know (yet) is that our 8th grade students write them back as busy "elves" helping Santa.
This puts me in a unique position. I usually know the 8th grader who writes back to Jackie and this year I was able to provide some "inside information" to her Santa experience that made it all the more REAL. I was able to pass along the information about that mischievous elf, Shaggy! Which was promptly added to her return letter. Jackie found it hilarious that her elf "Shimmer" actually knew Shaggy and was doing her best to try and keep him out of trouble.
But the Shaggy Saga doesn't end there...
You see. Jackie wanted quite a few things for Christmas, and like a typical 6-year-old there were last-minute changes and things she asked for that were NOT going to come from Santa. I worked hard those last few weeks leading up to Christmas trying to explain to her that Santa doesn't just give her "whatever she wants." He tries to giver her things he thinks she will want, even if she doesn't realize it. However...the one thing she was consistent in asking for was Mermaid Pajamas.
There were NO mermaid pajamas in stores this winter. None. Amazon had very slim options. Everything was Unicorns. (Which was her little sister's current infatuation.) Little sister was easy... but imagine Jackie's "belief" in Santa when Katerina gets her unicorn things and there's no mermaid stuff for Jackie. Ugh. It's not like she was asking for something that was going to cost us hundreds of dollars. This should have been a simple fix.
And then in comes dad with the BEST idea. Shaggy!
We're going to use him to buy us a little time.
So on Christmas Eve, when Santa stopped by and set out the gifts, he left some cute, soft bunny PJs for Jackie along with a little note explaining why those PJs weren't printed with mermaids.
And BOY did it WORK!
She was the first one up in the morning came bounding in our room flabbergast as to why Santa would give her rabbit PJs when she asked for Mermaid. But after a little further investigation and reading (she had to read the letter herself...LOVING that I could tie a little reading into this!) she discovered that the SILLY ELF SHAGGY HID HER PAJAMAS and that Santa would send her some mermaid ones as soon as he found them!
Hook. Line. & Sinker.
That simple explanation made complete and total since to her. She understood competely and is no awaiting new PJs in the mail. We have explained to her that Santa may have to wait until closer to spring time before sending them!
It's awesome.
Not terribly crowded (which pleases the hubby and I), the kids are entertained, and the "Santa" has an actual real beard and brings "friends."
One of his friends he brings along is a silly elf named Shaggy. Shaggy gets in to all kinds of mischief by teasing Santa and playing little tricks on the kids. Our little Jackie was very interested in Shaggy. To her, he was super annoying and quite funny at the same time.
He took her little toy Santa gave her. And then gave it back. Boy was he silly!
Santa was a hit with our girls for the first time! They actually went independently and sat on his lap without having to be taken by mom. They told him what they wanted for Christmas and that they had been good girls. Jackie also took the time to tattle on that Shaggy.
Billy wasn't a fan right away...no way, no how was he going to sit on that lap. BUT when Santa was about to leave he couldn't let the big guy get away without a fist bump and high-five. Then some swift movements by Santa and mommy got Bill right up on his lap for a picture!
It was a great afternoon.
But little did I know, it wouldn't end there.
Jackie is at a great age for Santa. She is VERY inquisitive about everything he does and how it all works, and for now, the answers that we (and movies) give her seem to satisfy her curiosity. It is such a magical time as a parent too, seeing the joy and wonder of Santa. One of the coolest things our elementary school does is have the little ones write letters to Santa. Preschool through 2nd grade get to spend a little class time writing a letter and sending it off to the North Pole. Those kids come home SUPER excited a few weeks later when they receive a REPLY letter. What those littles don't know (yet) is that our 8th grade students write them back as busy "elves" helping Santa.
This puts me in a unique position. I usually know the 8th grader who writes back to Jackie and this year I was able to provide some "inside information" to her Santa experience that made it all the more REAL. I was able to pass along the information about that mischievous elf, Shaggy! Which was promptly added to her return letter. Jackie found it hilarious that her elf "Shimmer" actually knew Shaggy and was doing her best to try and keep him out of trouble.
But the Shaggy Saga doesn't end there...
You see. Jackie wanted quite a few things for Christmas, and like a typical 6-year-old there were last-minute changes and things she asked for that were NOT going to come from Santa. I worked hard those last few weeks leading up to Christmas trying to explain to her that Santa doesn't just give her "whatever she wants." He tries to giver her things he thinks she will want, even if she doesn't realize it. However...the one thing she was consistent in asking for was Mermaid Pajamas.
There were NO mermaid pajamas in stores this winter. None. Amazon had very slim options. Everything was Unicorns. (Which was her little sister's current infatuation.) Little sister was easy... but imagine Jackie's "belief" in Santa when Katerina gets her unicorn things and there's no mermaid stuff for Jackie. Ugh. It's not like she was asking for something that was going to cost us hundreds of dollars. This should have been a simple fix.
And then in comes dad with the BEST idea. Shaggy!
We're going to use him to buy us a little time.
So on Christmas Eve, when Santa stopped by and set out the gifts, he left some cute, soft bunny PJs for Jackie along with a little note explaining why those PJs weren't printed with mermaids.
And BOY did it WORK!
She was the first one up in the morning came bounding in our room flabbergast as to why Santa would give her rabbit PJs when she asked for Mermaid. But after a little further investigation and reading (she had to read the letter herself...LOVING that I could tie a little reading into this!) she discovered that the SILLY ELF SHAGGY HID HER PAJAMAS and that Santa would send her some mermaid ones as soon as he found them!
Hook. Line. & Sinker.
That simple explanation made complete and total since to her. She understood competely and is no awaiting new PJs in the mail. We have explained to her that Santa may have to wait until closer to spring time before sending them!
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