I love him . . .

and them of course! :) 

 I am one blessed lady.  

And I will never ever...take a moment of it for granted. 

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my 2013 desires of my heart

:: to continue to be more present.  set aside the phone, shut down the computer, turn off the television, let the phone calls go to voice mail ....and enjoy my babies, my husband, my animals and all that God has given me. pick one day a week where all technology is turned off (except for Pandora radio of course).

:: listen.  silence my mind. and listen.  listen to others, to my friends, to my family, to my daughters coos, to my husband's words, to those i don't care for, to those i admire. to God.  listen and see what is revealed.  i think i spend too much time talking and not enough listening. i spend too much time praying and not enough time waiting.  i want to learn to be patient and hear not only God speak to me, but see what i can learn while listening to others.

:: Be spontaneous.  i used to live more freely and be more of a care-free spirit, but since my brother died, i've noticed i'm a little more reserved and a lot less spontaneous. i travel away from home less. i spend money more tightly. and i plan more.  i want to keep planning, and definitely be conscientious of my decisions, but i want to live on a whim, dance in the middle of the street, travel more, laugh more and play more.  and decide, last minute, to do something different than i had planned. 

:: Give with a purpose.  and do it twice a month. make a meal for someone who just needs a break.  send a care package to a friend i actually see but maybe needs to be reminded she's loved.  call someone and ask if i can help them watch their kids, run an errand, organize something.  teach these daughters of mine about serving others out of genuine care - no thank you or expectation in return.

:: Fall in love with exercising again.  sign up for a 5k with a purpose (runs for charity in honor of mom or jason).  walk/run each day with the girls so they learn to love to be outside and be healthy.  exercise because you know it makes your mind calmer and your anxieties lessen. it gives you energy and clearer thought processes.  exercise because it's just as important to care for your insides as your out. 

::  Be true to yourself.  write all the time, even if it scares you.  don't be afraid to be vulnerable.  speak truth in your writing even if your voice/fingers shake. take a chance at it!  don't be afraid of what others think all the time.  be kind, serve others, but live for your family.  invest into people who every time you leave, you feel better and invest less into those you don't. gain confidence and know that God has your back. pause more frequently and pray more diligently.  then listen. you'll know what to do. 

now bring on the new year and live it with purpose!  i can't wait to see what's in store!!! 

what are some of your new year's resolutions, goals and hopes for yourself?