The stress of a new year...

Does anyone else feel like January is just a complete "run, run, run, go, go, go" month? Shouldn't we all be relaxing and enjoying some down time after the holidays? Instead, it's all about getting back into shape, being more organized, finishing this project or that one. Well, you know what? I'm over it. Stick a fork in me, I'm done. Between trying to get everyone back in the swing of things for school to getting my house put back together after the madness that is Oct-Dec, I'm just done. Let me say it again..D.O.N.E. 

Please don't get me wrong. I love all the hustle and bustle of the holidays and even enjoy a good organizing spree, but man oh man, this year...it's damn hard. Call me a whiner, blame it on the new baby (my favorite excuse ever), or just the dang crazy, cold weather...whatever it is, I'm kinda ready for it to move on and me to feel like I can breathe for a minute...or twelve.

Next month will be better. It has to be dammit. I refuse to accept anything less. It IS my birthday month after all...and of course, Baby Lawson's 1st birthday! So say a quick prayer, send some good thoughts, do a mambojambo ju-ju dance. Otherwise, Momma's gonna be having a "come to jesus" moment with the world. 

 

Christmas '13 Wrap Up

I'll be honest with you. I had a really, really hard time getting in the Christmas Spirit this year. Usually by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, I'm ready to put the tree up, decorate the entire house, and settle in nightly with some hot cocoa and Christmas movies.

 

 This year....not so much.

 I think it was a combination of things. Family drama...not as many siblings coming in as usual...a baby who thinks the decorations are new toys...Whatever it was, it had me in a funk. 

 

Sometime around the middle of the month however, I was able to get my act together. 

The tree wasn't as decorated as it usually is, but it was still gorgeous with the million lights I have to have on it. Little spots of red and green popped up around the house. Santa was seen. Cookies were baked. And presents were bought. 

 

My focus switched from everything that wasn't the same as years past, to all that was new. Embracing and loving the new. A new baby to celebrate a first Christmas all over again. New helpers to our cookie day. New traditions, new friends, new memories. 

All in all, I'd call Christmas 2013 a success. The older boys were spoiled as usual, Chris and I soaked up as much family time as we could while he was off work, and even Baby Lawson got into the swing of things (between crying and being over stimulated) by ripping open everyone's presents and shoving the paper into his mouth.

 

Welcome 2014

I don't know how long I'll keep it up this year...blogging that is.

But I promise to put forth more of an effort.

Along with:

• Not allowing FaceBook to consume my life {I've already deleted it from my phone}
• Creating a more organized day to day life {Monthly menu planning here I come...}
• Being a more present wife, mother, friend
• Building my Origami Owl business

I'm not going to call these resolutions...they're just things that need to happen.

Many of my friends have chosen words to focus on instead of pointless resolutions they'll forget about by the 2nd of February. 

My word is Release.

Release what I have no control over.

Release the "friendships" that only cause hurt.

Release the pain I've allowed to build in my heart over the last few years.

Release the anger and resentments.

Release and breathe.

Happy New Year!