Showing all posts in THOUGHTS

 

Happy almost New Year, friends:)

 

Every time I start decorating the house for Christmas, I think ‘oh, how sad it will be when we have to take everything down!’ — but then, Christmas comes and goes, and putting everything away actually feels really good. Call me scrooge, but this year I had everything packed away in boxes (including tree out of the house and pine needles vacuumed up) by noon on the 26th! I am looking forward to a fresh start; 2018 felt like a very formative year for my family, and I am so grateful for all of the ways in which we have grown. With that said, I’m SO happy we can start off the 2019 year being totally settled in instead of unpacking boxes!

 

I thought I’d share with you a fun way my friend and I make ‘resolutions’ each year. We take turns picking a new goal at the start of each month — and then keep each other accountable on how things are going. We’ve had some great victories — and some massive fails, haha. The point is, each month is new and it feels good to set our sights on something that will improve our lives or those around us. And having an accountability buddy just makes it fun:)

 

Some of my favorites from 2018 — March: pick ten special people in your life and send them a hand written letter. June: sleep with phone downstairs and don’t look at it first thing in the morning (this one stuck with me — I still leave it downstairs!). October: pray over my daughter each night at her bedside before I go to bed. And, a couple that I didn’t do so great at — April: no sugar or alcohol during the week (haha! We both tanked at this goal). July: pick four BIG house cleaning jobs and get ’em done (I think I only did two in the end).

 

Anyway, you get the point:) Having one big goal for the whole year is great too, but switching it up month to month makes it seem less daunting — and having a buddy by your side (or in my case, 2,500 miles away — thank you technology!) will help motivate you.

 

Also, shout out to my husband — seven years ago today we tied the knot and I still can’t believe I get to be your wife. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

 

 

I can still distinctly remember Christmas time when I was a kid.  I can still smell that Christmas-y smell of the big cardboard boxes that were stored up in the garage rafters with ‘XMAS’ written in permanent ink.  I remember our simple nativity figurines, our ceramic church that plugged in so that light could shine through the tiny windows, and the old fashioned-looking candle snuffer that we all fought over using.  It’s still a little crazy to me to think that now I’M the mom!  I still feel like the little kid is there, getting giddy over decorations and loving all the cozy feels.  I love that I can start traditions with my own children that will last for years to come and hopefully make an imprint on their hearts.

 

 

One tradition that I started a couple of years ago was to give a Christmas book to Méabh (and any future children we may have!) each year.  Now, I realize that soon Eamon will be old enough to want one too — so next year I’ll probably have to say it’s for sharing;)  For now, my daughter is the only one who is old enough to care and she really does treasure her beloved Christmas stories.  Hint — put the books away with all of your Christmas decorations and only take them out this special time of year — otherwise, their novelty will wear off!

 

I got the idea for this tradition after reading this blog post.  I’ve always loved Emily’s blog and she has good taste.  She appreciates children’s books that are beautifully illustrated and I do too:)  My favorite so far is Red & Lulu.

 

 

 

I figure one day when I’m old and grey my kids can divvy the Christmas books up between themselves and perhaps read them to their own children around this special time of year.  It’s a nice thought, right?  Well, not the old and grey part but … you get the idea:)

 

Happy December!