Looking Back at 2011

As I look back on 2011 I realize how much I have to be thankful for. Cody turned 2, we got prego with little baby Grayson (naturally, which was a great surprise considering we had to do IVF with Cody), we were able to FINALLY sell our house and we moved into a new home that we adore. As 2011 came to a close, I started thinking about my New Years Resolution and what I wanted from 2012.

Kim wrote a WONDERFUL post last week on what this last year has taught her and the lessons she learned which got me thinking of what I learned from the year. This last years biggest change for our family was having a second baby. Little Grayson has changed our whole family dynamic. Not only has the family grown, but normal routines we were use to changed and I was trying to figure out how to be at home with 2 kiddos- run errands, spend time, feed etc. was challenging. Grayson will be 5 months this week (totally can’t believe that!) and we are all starting to feel settled into somewhat of our new routine. I can say that the biggest lesson I learned is that I can’t do it all  and I HAVE to be o.k. with that!! There are things you learn to sacrifice once you have your first child and then the second one comes along and you find ways to sacrifice even more. Although I feel like I am in a race against the clock most days, I do strive to hold onto to the things that are most important to me, whether it be my parenting goals, how I see my marriage or what I want for myself. Everything else, I realize, I have to let go. SOOOO…. my New Years Resolution and life goal is finding balance in my life. I know that every year what I choose to balance will change, but I think if I can try to give my all to the areas that are most important to me, rather than a little to everything I wish I could do (which is totally impossible), I am hoping that I will feel good about what I do in a day. I especially came to this realization over the holidays. I was SUPER busy and I just came to realize that I can’t do everything. I have to say no to some things, give up other things and just do what I can with the rest!!

As I sat down to make my list, this is what I came up with:

GETTING BACK TO THE BASICS. TRYING TO SCALE BACK AND FIND BALANCE.

• One day a week: No phones, t.v., or computer. BE UNPLUGGED!! Now I know that you can’t do this completely- I may have to make a call to Steve for something, but I mean all the unnecessary stuff!! (I really want to make sure that my kids know that mommy doesn’t need to be plugged into every electronic we have out there). Nowadays, kids are getting phones younger and younger. They never even have to have a real conversation because they can text. I think there is an epidemic out there with kids and the t.v. I feel like a lot of them would rather be watching a show then going outside to play! With all the apps out there, kids are playing games on their parents phones or Ipads as young as 2. Not only do they become plugged into the t.v. , but they can now play “video games” way earlier than we ever did. Cody rarely plays on my ipad (only if absolutely necessary) and I really don’t even want him to have a phone until he gets much older (although I do like the idea of them having a prepaid card to have with them for emergencies). Although I limit t.v. and app games, I realize that I have to be a role model for the kids. I certainly can’t tell the kids NO if I do it all the time!!!
• Set Goals for the Blog. Although Kim and I both LOVE the blog, it is just like any other job you work from home doing. You have to set limits for yourself or you will be “checking in” all day long.
• Workout for ME! I was on a roll for a little and then haven’t done anything in a while. I always feel better when I workout and so I MUST find the time to do this. Even if it is just a couple of times a week!
• Organize! Yes, I get a little crazy when things are chaotic in my house… ok a lot crazy! But with kids, it is VERY hard to start a project and finish it in one sitting. I use to organize (clean and purge) my house every 6 months. There is no way I can do it as intense as I use to so my goal is to organize a room a month. Although it might take me a year to get through it all, at least it won’t be overwhelming and by the end of the year each room will be cleaned out and organized… then I can start all over again! It is crazy how much stuff can accumulate in just a year!!
• When I am playing with the kids… be in the moment. Don’t think about what else I need to do. This is going to be REALLY hard for me. I think every mom has that proverbial to do list running in their head all day long. We all know how hard it is to turn that off!

Ok. So this is a lot as I look at it. I know I won’t be able to do them all the way I want to, but I will give it my best shot. Even if I can do this 70% of the time, it will be better than nothing right?!

Happy New Year from my gummy little Grayson and the rest of the fam!!

What is on your list for 2012????