And a Happy New Year...

Christmas is over, well, almost.  We still have one more Christmas celebration with my family next week.  It has been wonderful and simple.  The in-laws came up Christmas Eve.  We had a breakfast casserole in the morning, exchanged gifts, went to church, then enjoyed a delicious Christmas meal at Brett's aunt and uncles house.  Oh, and Emma started crawling, standing by herself, and saying mama!  What a great Christmas gift from my baby girl.  Last year on Christmas, she gave me kicks I could feel!  What a giving little girl!

It's always bittersweet when this holiday passes.  Christmas is my absolute favorite.  I love the lights, the baking, the trees, the family, the anticipation of what gifts are hiding down in the basement  (yes, Brett hides my gifts...for good reason!).  However, it's also very exhausting!  It's always nice when things slow back down.

But, as I sit here with scraps of Christmas all around the house, with the promises of a new year knocking at my door, I can't help but reflect on everything we have been through and what lies ahead.  What a year of blessings!  A beautiful new baby, great friends and family, support found in new faces...

As a new mom this year, I've been trying to figure out how I was going to be the best.  I kept trying to wear a name tag... a label of sorts.  Not for others, but I think I really thought that if I spelled out exactly what kind of mom, wife, and woman I was...then it would all be easier.  That I couldn't mess up.  That I would know just what move I needed to make and when.  There are so many different directions you can go, and the thought of choosing the wrong way is overwhelming... especially when you are leading a little one.  I'm very driven and like to have control over every situation, so having a label helps me to follow the map of OCD right to my destination of perfection.

What I have found though with being a mom, is that labels and name tags come off in the wash.  There is no such thing as perfection.  And a messy house is much more fun and fulfilling.  Fingerprints on glass is a joy.  Toys scattered from one end of the house to the other makes my heart want to burst.

So as I grab the reigns and move forward into the new year... I am not going make any unreal expectations.  I'm leaving my label maker and map at the door.  I'm not going to be any certain way. My New Years resolution is to just... be.  To enjoy everything for whatever it is... a challenge, a lazy day, or a mess.  I won't set deadlines for crafts, and I won't sleep with my pine sol.  I'm not going to vow to be simple and laid back.  That's just not me.  But, I'm not going to pre-decide how I will tackle each day.  I will handle each one with care and acceptance that perfection is not an option.

I am keeping my name tag... Emma decided on it.

Hello, My name is..
Mommy

Happy New Year!


Here are a few pics from Christmas...Enjoy!

 From our sweet friend!

 Look at all my loot!

 We realized just before bed that we didn't have any pictures together.  This is our last attempt!

 Harry was intrigued with her new bath time toy!

All her new toys, and she wants my old doll!