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! 

Splashing

This afternoon Nora and I traveled to the kiddie side of our neighborhood pool. We dodged the streams of water shooting from the little boys' guns and watched toddlers stumble around after their mamas. We sat and splashed and smiled.

Then I came home to find a text from a friend who celebrated her daughter's preschool graduation today. She reminded me to cherish every day with Nora before she grows up and out of my arms. To that I say, come on summer days! I'm ready to enjoy you and my sweet little lady love. 

32:30

There is a man in my neighborhood whom Chad and I named-for lack of imagination-"running man". He is tall and lean. He regularly dons a hydration belt and light-colored sun hat. His stride is effortless. His daily trek serves as clear evidence that he is dedicated to running.

I am not. 

Then I got wind of our school's annual 5K race and thought why not? If am going to get back in shape it needed to start somewhere. I signed up and told a few colleagues. It's sad, but I figured the possibility of public humiliation for not running could serve as some fairly compelling motivation. 

Chad signed up too. He soon became my training buddy. I didn't train often and certainly not well, but I kept with it. 

By the time I finished the race my legs were sore, face red, and body sweaty. 32:30 was the time of my first post-baby 5K. My time may not make running man proud, but I decided to do something and finished. That makes me proud. 

Let's make a pact to challenge ourselves to grow more; physically, intellectually, spiritually. What's your next adventure?