We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves, otherwise we harden.
~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
As we prepare to ring in another year, I am noticing that I feel full to the brim with excitement, anticipation, and readiness. It has been a long year. No longer than any other, literally, but emotionally, physically speaking.......I'm ready for a new year to begin. I know that nothing truly changes but a few numbers on the calendar, but, somehow it's change enough to help institute a clean slate. The littles and I had the lovely experience of going over all of our photos from the year. Remembering what each one was; what we were doing, how we felt, who was around. To help close out 2012 we chose some photos to highlight. They each held a particular moment or memory.......a beautiful way to let this door close and another one open.
This year was full of Angels, past and present, seen and unseen. Even today, we can realize their power and presence in our life and in our world.
This year was a 'love' year. Everyone was held more, loved more, understood more.
2012 was a big year for 'firsts'; first hair cuts, learning new things (knitting, sewing), beginning new jobs (owning a new business and school).
We said good-bye a lot this year to those we love. We said hello a lot, too!!
This was the year of Papa!! Because of a myriad of reasons, Papa was home LOTS caring for the children while I had to be away. It was bittersweet but I can see now that everyone needed that extra bit of connection with Papa.
June 3, 2012 Seraphina Meadow Mairead was born. She's had a tumultuous six months.....I can only pray they get easier from her on out!
We met many new friends this year. We have also reconnected with many not so new friends. It's been a wonderful year of friendship!!!
We saw much bonding this year between our children. The littles warmly embraced their new sibling and the big kids, well.......they know how to love another xo
There were many beautiful sights to witness this year. Tons of rainbows, sunrises and sunsets, flowers blooming, honey bees dancing, and love blossoming between us all.
This is the last year before my eldest is a teenager. It's so hard to contemplate being the parent of teenager.......it's been that long yet it's only just begun!
I had to learn to let a lot go this year. I had very little control over many things......I decided to focus on the important things.
We built upon much this year; play things, relationships, solitude, and growth.
This year we tried to be silly! Some days we succeeded.
In 2012 we sought out the light. We had to......
In 2012 we also had to hold on to and build up our faith.
In 2012, I found myself clinging even more tightly to the love of the man I married. He's my rock, my beacon of light.
To ring in the new year we made some hats because, well......you can't have a party without hats!
I also cut out a garland of doves as a symbol of our family's wish to be more peaceful, to act in and cultivate peace. For 2013 I hope to live a life of more peace. I want to be a peacemaker and to continue to teach my children that through love there is peace. Through giving, there is peace. Through trust, there is peace. Our nations need love, giving, trust, and peace desperately......is it not our duty as parents to bring those qualities to life in our own children?
One of our goals for 2013 is to keep our hearts aligned with all those amazing things that we get to experience all year long. You know, the ones that usually get forgotten but mean so much that just the glimpse of their existence is enough to warm our hearts. This year, we will have a goodness jar. We each will slip a dated piece of paper inside the jar (everyday or as inspired to do so) that tells of something wonderful that happened to us or someone else or that we saw that day. My hope is that by the years end, we will have a jar full of amazing memories that will carry us through the next year, inspiring us to dream bigger, be better, hold those we love closer.
We have no way of knowing where our paths will lead us, but we can, with open hearts, wish for and want the best from our waking days. Let not one moment slip by being taken for granted. Let not one day go without telling those you love how deeply you care for them. Let only the good prevail and let the dusty things fall to the side. Hold on to what is good, give no one evil for evil. Hold up those who need it, be kind. Above all things, let love guide you. Love's light shines brighter than the biggest star......let yours shine!
And now we welcome the New Year, full of things that have never been.
~ Rainer Maria Rilke
I am truly wishing you all a glorious New Year. Blessings abound ~ Marcy
<3
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