I have done Ali Edward’s One Little Word project in the past, but I’ve never really done much with it. In 2009 my word was FOCUS because I was in grad school and knew that I needed to focus on my schoolwork, my marriage, my friends, whatever I was doing. It worked for me that year. Since 2009, I can’t remember if I ever picked a word. Obviously it didn’t leave in impact if I did.
Every November, I like to do the 30 days of Thanksgiving, or 30 Days of Gratitude on Instagram. It is fun to intentionally think of something everyday that I was thankful for. It was often little things, but those things are important, too. It feels so good to pay attention to, and acknowledge the things for which I am grateful. I want to feel that way the whole year.
For 2014, I want to really focus (there’s that word again) on being grateful.
Here’s a confession: Being home all the time with Alma and Harriet is really hard. I spend a lot of time calculating how much time until Jesse comes home, we have a play date, my parents are coming over, nap-time… I don’t know that I am the kind of person who thrives being a stay-at-home full time parent.
That isn’t saying I don’t enjoy my kids, or my time at home with them. I really love them, and get a lot out of being with them. While it is hard being home, I can’t imagine how hard it would be to leave them (especially Harriet right now) somewhere else, or with someone else. Whenever I do get a break from them, I find myself rushing back home to be with them again. And boy do I miss them when they’re sleeping. It’s a confusing feeling… when they’re awake I can’t wait to get them down, but when they’re down, I just want to hang out with them.
Anyway… I want to be grateful for this time. I want to be more grateful during the time I have with my daughters. I will never have kids this age again. Alma is so funny, and I love watching her learn new things. Harriet is just waking up to our amazing world. I also want to be actively grateful for other things in my life. I really am very lucky to have such a full life, I want to give thanks for it.
Gratitude. 2014, bring on the things for which to be thankful!