reflection of 2012.

so when i start a new year.

i like to pick a theme.

a word to focus on throughout my year.

this year, 2013,  i am choosing celebrate.

a few verses to memorize this year, in case i have trouble celebrating...
Psalm 100:1-5 ESV

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
intentional had been my word last year, and maybe the year before?? :)
and i feel like i have learned to be more intentional
in my day to day living.
so. with that being said,
 this year, i am choosing to be more intentional in celebrating.

celebrating the joys in the everyday.

here is a recap from our Christmas holiday celebration...

2012 was a great year for us, and we will expect nothing less of 2013.
i shudder to think of how quickly life can be taken from us,
and joy stripped away.
but i cannot stay in that mindset.

we are called to live for Jesus ~everyday~
and it is my goal and intention to do just that.
celebrating each step of the way.
it's so easy to mess up, isn't it?

dropped the kids off at school this morning.
no one wanted to go. even with kaycee's "8 is great" birthday treat.
and truth be told. my belly ached a bit too.
we had such a great vacation from the "normal" routine and schedules...
it is so hard to let go.
the pressures are so great for them.
ugh.

and i heard something on the radio yesterday.
someone giving advice and wisdom on raising young adult children.
the trials. the difficulties. the heartache.
and this is what i heard this woman say, "we have this mindset that they should behave better than we did.
that we can save them from a lot of pain and consequence, if they would just do it our way."

how true. how true.
so i blog. and document with my silly words and pictures.
to remember this time.
because things will not always be so easy on the homefront. this i know.
it sure won't stop me from hoping and praying otherwise. :)
but i want to celebrate and cherish each moment that is mine...
that was given to me. not to squander. but to savor.
and how will i choose to celebrate when things are hard and not going my way?
i guess we will wait and see, won't we?

(a fraction of our cards. getting the mail is not nearly as fun now. :(  )

hope your Christmas was filled with much joy and love and celebration...