Intentionally Happy New Year

We took Christmas down in our home today. The pine needles decorate the carpet where our tree once stood. They also decorate the path of its exit. Okay, my house is covered. After the day we had (thank the Lord for a new start each day - can I get an amen?), I dare not vacuum while Nora sleeps. It'll have to wait for tomorrow. 

How was your Christmas this year? One of my favorite celebrations of the season was when my little family cozied up together to read through the same Advent book Chad studied as a child. Most nights Nora wandered into our bedroom to dig through my jewelry box, but I'm a nut for new traditions, so Chad and I kept reading. We want to be intentional in the way we teach our girls the love of Christ. While it may feel fruitless in the midst of toddlerhood, I know we are planting good seeds. 

Intentional. That is a word I am so excited to bring with me into the new year. I've spent the past several days with my nose in my brand spankin' new Day Designer, a life organizer that has me itching for the new year. Y'all, this thing is amazing! (And no, sadly, there's no endorsement check with my name on it.) Technology is great and all, but I will forever love the beckoning call of fresh, clean, January pages in a planner. So this prized planner wound up on my Christmas list and, now, into my lap - well, what's left of it at 36+ weeks. Yes, it's a daily planner, but its purpose extends far beyond grocery lists and meeting notes. While gleefully chatting about the future with Chad, I keep referring to it as my "dream book"; it prompts me to record what is most important in my life and set measurable, tangible goals for achieving just that. Each evening, as my home quiets down, I can be found scribbling my plans for the new year. By pausing to do this, I'm allowing myself a chance to dream about the future and how I fit in it as a wife, mom, teacher, daughter, sister, friend, woman, and child of God. There's a whole lot of change coming my way in 2015 (more on that soon), and I don't want me to get lost in all of that. Thank you Day Designer. 2015, I'm ready for ya! 

Messy Motherhood

A year ago today, Chad and I welcomed Nora Evelien into our lives. We are so, so grateful for her. Seriously, the love I have for her is overwhelming! My favorite thing about her is her constant, abundant joy. I hope that never fades.

But this post isn't just about my sweet girl. It is also about motherhood. Messy motherhood.

A couple weeks ago, our closest family and friends gathered to help us celebrate Nora's birthday. I had, in my mind, put together a pretty decent party plan. Thank you, Pinterest. Woodland themed, the place was decorated with pinecones, acorns, fresh flowers, (homemade) owl cupcakes, animal masks, activities for the littles, and a spread of yummy snacks. I so wanted it to be the best party for Nora. That's what good mothers do, right?

And then this mom put a cupcake adorned with a lone candle in front of my little. As I turned my head to prompt Chad's rendition of "Happy Birthday", what did Nora do? She grabbed the flame, of course. And so I spent the second half of her party nursing my teeny burn victim while trying to appear calm, cool, and collected. That's what good mothers do, right?

Well, I wouldn't know. What I really wanted to do was tell everyone to go home. I wanted to retreat back home where I could comfort my hurting little. I wanted to cry with her. I wanted to sulk that her party didn't go as planned and she missed her fun, cupcake, "Happy Birthday" song, and opening gifts. I was far from calm, cool, or collected. I was a mess.

That's kind of how motherhood goes, isn't it? You have an idea, a plan, of what to expect, but that rarely happens. Instead, breastfeeding doesn't work out, the blowout diaper occurs when you forgot the backup onesie, teething interrupts your REM cycle for weeks straight, Sunday night goodbyes grow increasingly difficult with each passing work week, and your child decides to play with fire when you turn your head. Motherhood is hard, unpredictable, and most certainly messy. 

But, as I was so recently reminded, God's grace is sufficient for even the messiest of mothers. His mercies are new every morning. Achieving "good mother" status is not something for which I can strive. Rather, it's something that is already within me because God's power is within me. When I am weak, He is strong. I, for one, am grateful for this. So, bring on year, and baby, number two! 

Mountain Adventures

(top) visiting the original Mast General Store dating back to 1882 (middle) Nora and I petting the horses corralled down the road from the house (bottom) this girl loves to swing 

This weekend, my little family and I joined Chad's parents at their North Carolina mountain house. Life is simple in the mountains; the same way I remember time spent in the Adirondacks as a child. Morning coffee is slow and savored. Early afternoon beckons for an adventure. Evenings are relaxed and best spent around a game board.

During my maternity leave with Nora, I decided to take my work email off of my phone. No longer was work at my fingertips. I had to be intentional in directing my attention toward that particular responsibility. In doing so, my family came first. I'm far from perfecting the work/life balance, but it's those little changes, the small refocusing efforts, that remind me of what's most important. Just like this weekend.