The Finer Things In Life

As Kylie Jade explores life through school I can't help but feel overwhelming accomplishment. She is where she is supposed to be. She is surrounded by His glory, His wonderful path for love, goals, friendships, and long lasting memories. I work to glorify Him and she is in school to glorify Him. When she comes home with mainly colorings of pictures from The Bible and verses of His scripture I don't have an ounce of regret. She sings His praises and talks of what she learns through Chapel. She is learning to navigate the world without me and show her love for God without me holding her hand. She is stepping out on her own and figuring out her calling without me pressuring her. I know, with everything in me, we have made the right decision regarding her education. It isn't about a war (homeschooling, public or private) it is about the child and what environment will mold them to be the person God has called them to be. Kylie Jade has such beauty in her heart. She loves and accepts those for whatever background, she doesn't judge she takes a hand to comfort. She has many, many homeschooling friends and she asks questions to learn more and accepts her friends lifestyles for what they are.

This year I am committed to showing my girls the finer things in life. It isn't about the biggest TV or a competition for which child is better at gymnastics. It's about Friendships, new beginnings and the acceptance of everyone. It's not about who got the most stuff for birthdays and Christmas and what brand of clothing they are wearing. It is about love, His word, and family.

Snow day memories, possibly camping (just need to borrow a tent!), unity as a family. As our family has cut back on so much already this year I am finding the happier side of things. I want my daughters to know what true friendship is about. I want to go out with my friends, without the kids, so we can bounce ideas off each other, possibly get into a nice discussion about where we think God is leading us. I want spiritual growth, friendship growth, healthy lifestyle growth. I want all the things I feel God wants from my life.

As I watch my girls grow another year older I just want to hold their hands more, read to them while snuggling under a blanket, have movie night where we can discuss and sing along. I want to focus more on ourselves and LOVE then presents, toys, and materialistic things. Family and Friendships are about the best things in this world...and for that it doesn't cost a dime.

Society Says So

This year my focus is going to be more on love and family and a lot less on things. In the past I have put too much focus on what everyone else and society says we should be doing with our kids. Do our kids NEED to go to Disney World before they can walk, talk or even realize what is going on? No. Do they need that new bike just because Bella next door has it? No. Do they need you to be on the floor constantly entertaining them not letting them explore or learn anything for themselves? No. Do they need TVs in their bedrooms just so they can have their shows on an endless loop? No. Do they need to be constantly entertained being dragged from place to place? No they don't. 

It has taken me almost 6 years to realize they are happy just being. They like the company of each other, the moments where they get slammed in the face for an impromptu pillow fight, those moments when you grab a fuzzy blanket, a few cups of hot cocoa and pop in a movie and just snuggle against them listening to their steady breaths and talking about the things we see in the movie. 

I am vowing this year to spend less money on stuff and spend more time just watching them, loving them, kissing them and hugging them. Life is flying far too fast to spend it filled with this and that. We can be happy living simply. I don't have to have a new car, new TVs, or overwhelming vacations where we barely have time to savor the moment.

This is going to be a year all about bonding with my kids and husband and just being ourselves. Society can say whatever they want to about that new toy, or your third trip to Disney world for a 3 year old, but we are just going to go on living the simple life. Because we don't need things to make us happy just lots of laughter, snuggles and love. 

New Years Goals

Everyone makes resolutions, but instead of a resolution this year I figured John and I would come up with a list of goals...expectations for our family life, marriage life, parenting life and our own individual lives.

I know many of the things on my individual list consists of being healthy, eating better, eating at home more, eating out significantly less and exercising so I can live a long life with my children and husband. I also want to have more patience and find more creative ways of discipline instead of being overwhelmed by all the insignificant things in life. I want to get a closer relationship to God.

As far as my marriage life I want to just enjoy my time with my husband, not falling asleep or getting stressed about whatever it is we stress or fight about. I want to give lots of praise and attention for no reason, and just let him know he is completely loved by his wife.

As far as my parenting life I want to have the patience for my kids that they deserve. Spending a lot more quality time just playing and watching them have fun and enjoy their little lives. Less spending money and more enjoying the outdoors.

As far as just goals for our family I want to spend time soaking up God's world outside and bonding as a family, I want to take a family vacation and just watch us all enjoy each other. I want to bond as a family unit and let the girls know we will always have their backs.

So far the year has started out great! I know we are only into day 2 but I can feel the change. The past is the past this is a brand new year and a brand new start. Time to let go and move on.

I think I'll do just that!