To start off the year...

I started 2009 off with a bang!

In addition to getting to wake up to this...

I got up.

I showered.

I did my hair. (Landon's stayed like that all day.)

I got dressed. (Landon never made it that far.)

AND

I cooked dinner!

Bang Baby!

This is a big deal for me because these things rarely all occur during the same day. I consciously decided not to exercise to leave myself a little room for improvement over the next 364 days. (You know you are struggling when you actually do get dressed and do your hair and everyone in the family wants to know where we are going.)

Last year after talking with some friends, I decided I wanted to use Jordan’s brilliant idea to come up with my own word for the year. That word became, in a sense, my theme for 2008. My 2008 word was SIMPLIFY. With Damian in school and working so hard, I knew I was going to have to cut back on some of expectations I had set for myself. I told myself that part of simplifying had to mean that I was not allowed to feel guilty about couldda shouldda wouldda things.

I am not sure if others would agree if simplifying my life happened last year, but I truly feel like it did. Having that theme in my mind with it’s redundant check phrase: ‘It’s okay. Let it go!’ helped me focus on the things that were really important to me and not sweat as much of the small stuff. I have come to the realization that try as I might, I can’t even be perfect at simplifying. I still kept my house freakishly straightened and my eyebrows meticulously groomed (you know, the important things).

At the same time I tried not to sweat things like my kids clothes not matching, how disastrous Damian’s office always looks, or even looking presentable. Instead I tried to focus on keeping my kids happy and fed. They really didn’t care if I was a day over-ripe or that I was an MIA school volunteer. Showering and volunteering are both things I enjoy, but I knew if I was worried about all the little things there was no way I could be happy. (Ok, I averaged an every other day shower.) But, you know what they say about when Mama’s not happy…

Now that I am simplified, my word for 2009 is ENJOY! It was a tough decision between ENDURE & ENJOY. Endure the last four months of not having my best friend and husband around. It sounded good although a little depressing, but then I thought how precious and few the days are until my boyfriend starts kindergarten! That did it. ENJOY it is, and ENJOY I will.

Last year I was able to find wooden letters with my word to put above my kitchen cabinets. So, if you see an ENJOY around in a cute way, shape or form will you let me know? I loved having a visual reminder during the year to keep me on track. Gracias!