A List of Things I love and or find important

Teaching my children naturally
never squashing their curiosity
forming a close family bond
spending as much time as a family as we can
having great adventures with our family
loving each other
being respectful of each other
learning about animals
making the planet a healthier place
learning empathy
learning self-respect
reading
fitness
fun
gardening
learning about nature
being as self-sufficient as possible
crafting
making home remedies
using natural products
having outside time daily
learning about a lot of things
keep a simple home
learn the lost arts of homemaking
Teach our children to take control of their lives
let the kids choose religion (if they do)
Do not make sheep of our family
keep our lives small so we can enjoy more
teach our children that people are more important than traditions


Our future

1. I am not a religious person, I would say I am a humanist
2. I love my country and my freedom
3. I believe all people are equal, period.
4. I love my family
5. I love traditions
6. I love experiencing new things
7. I love cooking and homemaking
8. I no longer feel the need to retain friendships that do not lift me up but instead keep me "in the trenches"
9. I don't have to please anyone but myself
10. My opinions are as important as the options of others.
11. I am still a kind person even if I assert my rights
12. I don't have to have things to be happy
13. I need to be healthy and fit.
14. My marriage is lasting and important
15. I make healthy home cooked food for my family
16. We no longer eat processed food
17. We love our life!!!

Tonight I have decided to answer 20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection as written by Tsh Oxenreider

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

I gave birth to the Little Chief in May

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

The most challenging was adapting to having two children, each with their own set of
needs and wants.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?

I found joy in my home, I really came into my own as far as homemaking and accomplishing
goals for our nest.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

There are always unexpected obstacles, this year I found that caring for two children and
letting go of my expectations for things was probably the biggest. Also, my husband was laid
off right before Christmas (with no timeline on returning to work).

5. Pick three words to describe 2011.

accomplishment, growth, change

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2011 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).

change, learning, crafty

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2011 (again, without asking).

unlucky, parenting, work

8. What were the best books you read this year?
With two little ones it's hard to read. I managed to work through a lot of Feeding the Whole
Family and The Rhythm of Family


9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

I consider all of my relationships valuable.

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

My biggest personal change was moving into adulthood for good and realizing that what I want and need for my family is the most important thing.

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
I'll have to think about this one.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

I came to terms with my adult version of spirituality and let go of expectations that friends
and family have. It's okay that I don't believe what everyone else believes.

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
Unfortunately I grew in weight.

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?

I have learned to communicate with other people on their emotional level and to let them
know that I may not understand their current emotion but that I will stand right beside them while they work through it (as opposed to trying to "fix").

15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

Honestly, the most enjoyable part of my work is that when times are slow I get to surf the net and check my fave blogs (don't tell).

16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

The most challenging work was at home (where I take my work seriously). Trying to be the best mama and wife possible and sometimes forgetting what is most important.

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

Computer time (by far)

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

Crafting, canning and spending time with family

19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?

Our little family is perfect for us and we have everything we need.

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.

The Year of Family Adjustments

Daycare

As I went through my big list of blogs this morning I found this picture that immediately broke my heart at Natural Papa . I don't think a bigger statement could be made about children in daycare. It just strengthens my resolve to spend as much time as possible with my daughter. Financially things are pretty stressful, I work constantly to save the family money and pay off our debt. I just always need to remember that the most important thing isn't our house or our car or even the bills, it's my girl. She is the best thing I've ever done (I tell her all the time). She saved my life. She rocks my world. Chief and Little Miss are my everything and my world. No job could ever justify losing that. Life is short, it's about the journey.

How many times do I need to remind myself to sllllooowww down? It seems daily. I need to find something to put on the wall in my bedroom so that when I wake up in the morning I remember. Little Miss moves slowly, she "dawdles" as some say. She sees every little thing and spends great amounts of time examining or trying to, as I say "run, run run" or "can you show me where home is" or "we've got to get to the big tree". Why? Why do I do this? Once we get to big tree apparently I need to rush to the next thing.

I blame myself of course but the truth is it's just the way my generation was molded in their early 20's. Ahhh yes, I'm an Xer. At home as a kid there was a lot of free play, we went out in the morning and came home only if injured, called for dinner or the street lights came on. Summers were the best, home with mom, playing with all of the kids in the neighborhood.

So why do I rush my girl? It's a bad habit but a habit that needs to be broken. I need to always remember that once I get to a destination I will just rush to another and none of it is necessary. The truth is that my family does not live a complicated life and we really have no where to rush to.

As I read on a lot of other blogs I need to slow down, embrace the time I have with her, enjoy the blades of grass and make peace with being led around by my beautiful girl.

After all, we have no where to be but together.