So it is almost a New Year

The last few years have been more than rough for our family. As 2011 approaches I have a feeling that things things will continue to get better and better. There is an old saying that "time heals all wounds" - and while I can attest to the truthfulness of that, I am also hear to say that the scars can be a real bitch. But what I also believe, is that if we are open to the learning and personal and spiritual growth that comes from those wounds and scars, we can be better used by God to serve and bless His children.

I have felt the grace of God as He has held me through hardships, and for that, this year I am most thankful.

So here are a few of my resolutions:

1. Write - writing has always been a way for me to de-stress and I need to do that more

2. Pray more fervently- God is there and He knows me (and you)

3. Get my Blackbelt - There, I said it publicly!!! (yikes!)

There are more of course, but those are just for me...

Happy New Year, and may 2011 be a fantastic year for all of us.

Constancy

“... I can't believe there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man [or woman] who knows the secret of making dreams come true. This special secret ... can be summarized in four C's. They are Courage, Curiosity, Confidence and Constancy ...."
- Walt Disney

I think that I struggle the most with the "constancy" - I know that if I could get THAT one down I could accomplish so much more.

Create

Many times in the chaos of my busy life as a homeschool mom with 6 kids I feel as if I have no time to delve into the creative side of my nature. That the work involved with caring for such a large family eclipses my own creativity. This is a wonderful reminder that creation is part of our nature - part of who we are intrinsically.

Time for me to start exploring once more...

A few things that make an overwhelmed mom happy

There are a few things that make me happy as a mom. Here is a short list:

1. Chocolate - I think that chocolate is a necessity of motherhood. There is nothing better than taking a "time out" with a cup of hot cocoa - preferably mexican chocolate.

2. Dinner Group - I belong to a dinner group so rather than having to cook dinner for my family 7 nights a week - I cook only once a week and get my dinners delivered to me the days I don't cook - It is great!

3. Wireless Internet - now most of you probably take this for granted but we have lived quite literally in the "sticks" for most of our marriage and cable broadband or DSL is never available. We finally bit the bullet and got satellite internet - still not the greatest but way better than dial-up!

4. My new dinning room table! - We finally got a dinning room table that fits the whole family and even a guest or two.

5. Great kids who know how to work - We have worked hard at teaching our kids how to work and help out the family. These past weeks as we have struggled with colds and the flu I have been amazed at how the kids have just jumped in and been able to help us out - cook, clean the works - that really makes an overwhelmed mom happy!

I have a chocolate hangover

Pass the Tylenol...

I would have never guessed that it would be possible but apparently it is...

After 3 solid days of everyone gifting me with chocolate from my absolute favorite place in the world - yes, that is right, Sweet Life , I am all chocolated out - done - kaput - and would like broccoli on Valentine's Day.