And So Comes a New Year.....

It's that time - a chance to start fresh, a new chapter awaiting to begin. A new year brings new challenges, new changes, new experiences, new memories. So much yet to start and then so many things to finish as well.
Last year I was looking forward to transitions into a healthier living as well as a more positive state of mind and recapped the year as a transformation and it really was. I'm definitely proud of the progress we made and continue to make. I've let go of expectations for myself and for others and enjoying each moment as it comes. If I had to recap 2014 for me in one word, it would be "Joy."
I've had wonderful experiences this year, tons of laughter, new friendships, embracing new things, overcoming challenges, and accepting things as they come. I'm blessed with a wonderful job and lots of volunteer opportunities and I look forward to a new year and what it may bring to our family.
We briefly talked about goals we may want to accomplish in 2015 - my sweet pea would like to run more 5K's, the hubs wants to run a full marathon, my little man wants to save his money to get the Lego Death Star, and as a family we are saving to make a trip to Aotearoa. I can't wait to take my children there and we hope to spend time in both the North and South Island. I want to go to Rawene, where my grandfather is from as well as visit family. My heart aches for New Zealand at times and so I think bringing the kids and letting them explore will be the deciding factor as to whether or not we actually take the big step and relocate. We've talked about it for years, but continue to stop because it is so far away from everything we know. The kids also want to try to eat a vegetarian diet for 30 days, which I don't think will be that hard, as we currently eat a 80% vegetable/plant based diet and 20% meat diet, but I could be wrong. We'll see how it goes.
As for me, I want to continue to work on improving myself in multiple ways through mind, body, and spirit. I also want to travel more. My soul yearns for something, but I've yet to figure out what, why, or the direction I need to go, but I feel like I'm somewhat heading in the right direction. I think part of that yearning is that I want to see more of the world. If we didn't have to work, I would drop it all and just take the kids to travel the world because I'm sure they would learn so much in those experiences than any school could provide.  I sometimes hold on to that thought - for me I work from home and could possibly continue to work remotely, but I don't think the hubs could pull that off, but it doesn't mean I can't stop dreaming of doing so.
I definitely want to start working on decluttering my life and will will start to let go of some of the volunteering that I do, I will still help out in various ways, but I wrote down a list of extra things I do besides work and the family and I need to let some things go and focus my attention on what matters most instead of trying to do a little bit of everything.
I have let a lot of things that I enjoy go because I simply don't have time to squeeze it in and so I need to refocus and continue to make time for those activities that I enjoy. I think what I struggle with the most is there are so many things close to my heart and I want to do it all and help, but it ends up stretching me thin and I end up feeling like I'm not helping at all whereas if I focus on what I really want to do to help, then I can accomplish more in that regard.  
Whatever your goals or wishes are for the new year - I wish you light, love, and happiness!


"Hope
Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
Whispering 'it will be happier'...”  - Alfred Tennyson

Good Tidings to You

It is Christmas Eve and although I worked for about half of the day, the kids and I enjoyed the day. We talked about the Christmas Story, which lead to a discussion about different religions and how similar and different each religion is. The kids asked if we practice a specific religion and I said no, but that I think it is important that they know about different religions because at some point in their life one or none may speak to them. I told them the important thing is that we do the right thing and we treat people with kindness even if someone doesn't deserve our kindness. We shared memories of times past, sang Christmas songs, danced a bit, and then invited nana over for a cup of tea and cookies.
As Christmas is always a time of reflection for me, I feel so blessed and I'm thankful everyday for what I have and the people around me.
We did our advent Random Acts of Kindness and the last one was take treats to the fire/police station, so we did that and the kids asked if we can do this every year. I said of course, because I'm never going to tell them no when it comes to giving and doing things for others.
I got an early present...the hubs surprised me with a whole new home office, which I desperately needed. My desk was falling apart, but I kept making excuses about purchasing a new one. I said maybe one more year and not to mention that half of the space was the kids playroom, so there were toys everywhere. The kids and hubby spent the day painting and putting together a new office, my dad even pitched in and helped carry it in. When they finally showed me I was stunned and overwhelmed with emotion. I truly have an amazing family.
Christmas is always a time of bonding and I struggle with how to help those who are struggling during this time regardless if it is personal issues, financial, or whatever the reason. The hubs and I were talking about how good it feels to give and I wish I had the means to truly impact people's lives in a positive way. I try to do what I can, but I always feel it is not enough.
I started to get a bit emotional, not in a bad way, but in a "your heart is so full and feels like it will burst" kind of way and called my parents to tell them how much I love them. I know there are people who struggle in some sort of way, I know that there is disharmony in the world, I know we are destroying this earth, I know we treat some people in unkind ways and yet I try to look for all the positives. I try to show my children that life is beautiful, that life is kind, and that life is short...tomorrow is not promised. So love often and love hard and be forgiving! 

I'm not sure how you will spend your holiday, but I wish you a wonderful year, good health and all the blessings you desire!!!!

"Sit with someone special in a room lit only by Christmas tree lights and remember that your blessings outnumber your lights." - Unknown

Enjoying our Random Acts

So everyday the kids have been pulling a random act out of the jar and we complete that for the day. I think the one the kids have enjoyed the most thus far was the candy cane bomb. We got some candy canes and passed them out. Today was sing a christmas song to someone. We also picked up some gifts for the Boys and Girls club - one of the restaurants had cards with a child's name and gift request and we took four. The kids were shocked to see what some of these kids were asking - some of the requests included pajamas, t-shirts, hair accessories, action figures, and a skate board. I think the kids realized how lucky they are. The kids shopping for others and we dropped the gifts back off at the restaurant tonight.
The kids school is also collecting items for the Children and Family Services of Iowa - so we've been collecting items for that and will be dropping those off on Friday.
I'm glad to see the kids really getting into the spirit of giving, the kids said, "it felt so good to give."

“Ask your children two questions this Christmas. First: What do you want to give to others for Christmas? Second: What do you want for Christmas? The first fosters generosity of heart and an outward focus. The second can breed selfishness if not tempered by the first.”
~ Author Unknown

Spreading Holiday Joy

I try to think of different ways for the family to get involved in the Christmas spirit, so this year I made a Random Acts of Kindness Jar and then put various different "acts of kindness" in the jar (one for every day of the month). So each day, the kids will pull one act, which then the family has to do on that day.
We haven't started just yet, so tomorrow will be our first day, but the kids are excited to begin their Christmas Kindness countdown.

"Joy is a decision, a really brave one, about how you are going to respond to life." Wess Stafford

Our Christmas Kindness Jar

Our random acts