I get a little jealous reading others' blogs about how much fun they had celebrating Christmas and New Year's Eve with friends and family. It comes from the most loving part of me though and after praying about it I realize that I am being taken out of my comfort zone so I can provide guidance to others.
New Year's Eve found me inviting friends over to fellowship with food and games, it was nice although no one stayed past 9:00 PM. I'm surprised I made it past midnight (I'm not a night owl) but I did, and so did Brad, Tristen, Seth and Garrett. Hayden was the only member of my clan that was sleeping (but that's for the best). We watched 2 whole minutes of the ball dropping in NYC on the television and toasted each other with sparkling apple cider before cleaning the buffet of food left from our "in and out" guests. I was out by 1:00 AM and up by 8:00 AM! Needless to say, I spent the better part of yesterday in bed watching movies and snuggling with Hayden who was also somewhat phased by the previous late night. I'm almost back to normal now, I managed to get to the grocery store this morning and fold 3 loads of laundry in preparation for school to resume Monday.
Thankfully, since Brad had the whole week between Christmas and New Year's Eve (through Sunday, the 4th actually) off, we've been able to gradually take down and pack up (propperly) our Christmas decorations. We also rid our attic of items that have become unneccessary (let's be honest, it was to make room for new stuff) and now our home is back to "normal". It is bittersweet though, our tree is gone, the house no longer has that smell or glow from the front window as our front yard shines brightly, even in the dead of night. I love the Holiday Season so much, I just hate to see it all fade away. This year though, instead of a gradual fading, it seems to have just up and vanished! It's gone, move on.
I'm not really one for "new year's resolutions" because they don't seem to last. I will however continue to try bettering myself as a wife, mother, friend, daughter and sister; the one thing I'm adding to that list this year is to spend more time on bettering myself as ME. Some of you can relate when I say that I feel defined by the "hats" I put on. This year I want to know that I can become a better ME. There are projects that I've started and long to complete, classes I want to take, books I want to read and many more accomplishments to be fulfilled that have nothing to do with bettering myself as a wife, a mother, a friend, a daughter or a sister. Is that considered being selfish? I'd like to think not. People need to know who they truly are before they can share themselves with those around them, right? I just want to be the best "me" I can be. This year is all about continuing what I've started as well as adding to the workload. Who's with me!?
New Year's Eve found me inviting friends over to fellowship with food and games, it was nice although no one stayed past 9:00 PM. I'm surprised I made it past midnight (I'm not a night owl) but I did, and so did Brad, Tristen, Seth and Garrett. Hayden was the only member of my clan that was sleeping (but that's for the best). We watched 2 whole minutes of the ball dropping in NYC on the television and toasted each other with sparkling apple cider before cleaning the buffet of food left from our "in and out" guests. I was out by 1:00 AM and up by 8:00 AM! Needless to say, I spent the better part of yesterday in bed watching movies and snuggling with Hayden who was also somewhat phased by the previous late night. I'm almost back to normal now, I managed to get to the grocery store this morning and fold 3 loads of laundry in preparation for school to resume Monday.
Thankfully, since Brad had the whole week between Christmas and New Year's Eve (through Sunday, the 4th actually) off, we've been able to gradually take down and pack up (propperly) our Christmas decorations. We also rid our attic of items that have become unneccessary (let's be honest, it was to make room for new stuff) and now our home is back to "normal". It is bittersweet though, our tree is gone, the house no longer has that smell or glow from the front window as our front yard shines brightly, even in the dead of night. I love the Holiday Season so much, I just hate to see it all fade away. This year though, instead of a gradual fading, it seems to have just up and vanished! It's gone, move on.
I'm not really one for "new year's resolutions" because they don't seem to last. I will however continue to try bettering myself as a wife, mother, friend, daughter and sister; the one thing I'm adding to that list this year is to spend more time on bettering myself as ME. Some of you can relate when I say that I feel defined by the "hats" I put on. This year I want to know that I can become a better ME. There are projects that I've started and long to complete, classes I want to take, books I want to read and many more accomplishments to be fulfilled that have nothing to do with bettering myself as a wife, a mother, a friend, a daughter or a sister. Is that considered being selfish? I'd like to think not. People need to know who they truly are before they can share themselves with those around them, right? I just want to be the best "me" I can be. This year is all about continuing what I've started as well as adding to the workload. Who's with me!?
LIVE
LAUGH
LAUGH
LOVE
4 comments:
OMG Amanda! When did you get the pic of you and Brad? All these are so great!!! Looks like they could be an advertisement. You have a wonderful family! I love you all and miss you teribly!!
I love the picture of you and Brad. This is great blog Mandy!
Mandy, I don't understand why you say you get jealous reading other people's Christmas blogs when your Christmas blog sounds like you guys had a great Christmas! You have a beautiful family, and you are obviously a loving, thoughtful mom and wife. I agree with your mom and uncle Pat, the photo of you and Brad is beautiful!
love this you make amazing photos ! love you delana
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