Wednesday, January 1, 2014

An Intentional Year

My little sister, Toni, recently started blogging again and it has inspired me to do the same. My blog needs some serious work, but right now I am simply inspired to write.  I started this blog for my children, not necessarily an audience of strangers.

I think I will continue to write...for them.


To my children:

On this first day of January 2014, I want you all to know how much I love you.  "With everything in me. With all my heart.  I more than love you, I'm crazy about you."

Life is about to change for our family.  Nothing serious, but change is certainly coming.  It will be difficult at first, but everything is moving in a good direction. I want you to know that I'm nervous and a little scared, and I know you are as well, and that's okay.  But even more than that, I am excited and hopeful for our future! Our dreams that we once only talked about are finally within reach...I just know it!

We have a busy month ahead of us!  It will be stressful and hard at times.  February will likely be the same. But I am confident that March, and spring, have good things in store for us.

Here is a list of things that will certainly change:
-our address
-our schedule
-our personal space will be smaller
-$ (good change!)
-our yard and animals

Here is a list of things that will NOT change:
-home is where we are all together, no matter the address
-we are committed and determined to finding a home in the country
-we will ALWAYS have everything we need, and some of what we want
-life is hard and wonderful all at the same time
-everything Dad and I do, we do for you

I have 2 final thoughts for you as I close out this post.  First, our family verse for the year will be Proverbs 31:25.  "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."  We are an amazingly strong family with amazingly strong individuals. We are people of great strength... physically, mentally, and spiritually.  On our hardest, saddest, most aggravating days, we will draw from our strengths! Also, we will hold our heads high knowing we always do our best!  Sometimes our best won't be good enough, and in those moments there are things to be learned and improved upon...and learn, we shall!  Lastly, regarding our verse for 2014, remember to laugh, not worry.  Remember to laugh, not grumble.  Remember to laugh at the future!  Remember what Nanny always said, "It is what it is."

Secondly, our word for 2014 is INTENTIONAL!  We will not float through this year, or life for that matter. We will be intentional with our time, our money, our attention, our love, our family, our faith, our bodies, our education, our hobbies, our relationships.  We will intentionally give to others and each other.  My hope is that each day, each moment, we are intentional.  A life unintentionally spent is a life full of wasted time and lots of regrets.

We will be strong, we will hold our heads up, we will laugh, and we will be intentional!

I love you all.