Happy New Year's Eve!
Today, each year I always look back at the past 12 months and reflect. What were the highlights of my year... How did I grow, and how much bigger did my kids get... What trials did I make it through, what blessings do I need to be thankful for... Who has come into my life this year, what relationships did I lose... Which decisions did I make right and where did I make mistakes... Most importantly, how do I make the next year even better?
I try to be mindful of all these things throughout the year, especially on birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc. But New Year's Eve seems to be the time each year that I spend really reflecting on my contributions to my life and others'. On this day I take inventory - how well did I take care of my children, how well did I nurture my marriage, did I contribute enough to my community, did I give too much to my hobbies & projects?
Well, I started 2007 off very deep into "swapping." I was an online scrap addict! I had joined a web group that traded handmade scrapbook embellishments and moved up to a hostess within months. Here's the layout I did last New Year's Eve for an online cyber crop.
I also took up tennis earlier this year. I entered a couple tournments and joined a ladies league. Pretty much I got my butt kicked a lot, but I enjoyed the work out and I got out of the house.
Then my time was dedicated to planning my mother's 50th birthday. We rented a house on the beach (Tybee Island) for a few days. My family came from all around, as far away as Iowa. I hired a professional photographer to come take the group photo on the beach, we had a fabulous formal dinner at a "Tapas" restaurant in downtown Savannah, and of course we had a big 3 tiered birthday cake. Having all the cousins together was just priceless!
At my mom's birthday party (April 23rd) we announced our decision to open our very own scrapbook store! We got our tax ID on May 9th, signed our commercial lease that month and opened The Pink House on July 4th. 60 days from inception to realization ~ and now six months later... we're still going at it hard.
So, looking back, I guess I did accomplish a lot the first half of the year... swaps/tennis/Mom's party. But the second half of my year was definitely consumed by The Pink House. I'm sorry that my kids missed out on our usual poolside summer, but I am so thankful for the new relationships in my life. Mom and I have never been closer (literally & figuratively!) I have a new best friend that I think I've known all my life. (Love you Ronee!) And I am proud of how Mom and I have contributed to many lives and met so many wonderful people.
Tonight, my husband and I will try to stay up and watch the ball drop over Times Square. Each year we let the kids grab pillows and blankets to make a pallet on the living room floor. In years past they've always fallen asleep before midnight, but I'm betting they'll hang on this time. My kids are getting so big right in front of my eyes! Thank you God for blessing me with these beautiful babies. I pray that in 2008 you give me the strength & determination to do better for them.
So, tomorrow is a new day and a new year. What will you do with it? Each year I make New Year's resolutions. This year I have many goals and a grand plan...
I. Blog more often... I'm committing to blogging at least twice a week. I'm dedicating 30 minutes each Monday morning and 30 minutes each Thursday afternoon. I'm really liking being able to go back to my archives and read about my life. Blogging is better than a diary because I can include pictures. Sure... I could add pictures to my diary, but then it would turn into a scrapbook and I'd never get it done! Which leads me to my next resolution...
II. Get more pages done! This year I plan to get more scrapbooking done. I want to get at least 52 pages done - that's 1 per week - minimum (in addition to any mini albums I'll create). Also, I might try a technique I read somewhere... Scrap at least one page per month for each of my children on "their" day. My youngest, Bella, was born on Aug 2nd, so on the 2nd of each month I'll complete a page for her album.
III. Scraplift more & worry less... While needing to get all of this scrapbooking done, I am pledging to use my favorite technique, SCRAPLIFTING, more often. That way I'm sure to like the layout without spending 6 hours to create it. Right here and now, I am promising myself to scrap faster, agonize less about placement & design, and give more attention to journaling. I love Becky Higgin's sketches & Becky Fleck's pagemaps, so why actually use them? duh!!
IV. Make exercise & housework a routine... uuuuuuuggggggghhhhh! I hate housework. I'm not lazy anywhere else in my life other than at house work, and I haven't made the time for exercise since May. So, I need to establish a daily routine and stick to it. I'll start my day at 6:30am, help get the 3 middle kids ready for school and out the door by 7am. Then I can squeeze in an hour of exercise before I run Zoe to school at 8am. Back home by 8:30 to take a shower and get ready for work. (Make sure to get a quick blog in while I'm at The Pink House!) Home from work around 6:00pm - dinner & dishes done by 7. Bathe the babies and tuck into bed before 8:00. Finally, I can do laundry while I'm watching my evening TV. Sounds like a plan. Now I just have to make it happen!
Truely, my main goals for 2008 need to be doing better at the Work/Life Balancing Act. At home, I need to give each of my children more individual attention. At work, I need to plan further ahead and be better prepared. Spiritually, I need to find a church that will help my family and I grow toward God.
What are your resolutions for 2008? How are you going to make your life better? My husband always says that "a goal is just a dream until you write it down." So, be sure to write your New Year's Resolutions down where you can keep track of your progress. Feel free to comment here, I won't bite. (Okay... I don't usually bite!)
And of course, don't forget to do your New Year's Resolution layout. I would love for you to post a copy here or bring it in to The Pink House. We'd love to show it off on our walls for a bit.
Come see me. You know where I'll be!
