New Year, New Goal

Here I Am, As Promised :)

January 21st, 2015

I'm off to a good start. At the start of the year I mentioned I would now at least post the 21st of each month. So here I am.

This picture I'm using for the post really describes what has filled my life, and also represents accomplishments and what I have been working with.

My great husband and sweet 3-year-old daughter are a source of much joy....as well as a source of learning experiences. :) I am grateful for the ways I have improved in my relationships with them, and the ways we have all grown together. Another source of joy and learning is my amazing 14-year-old step-daughter, who is not present in this picture nor has been very present in our lives lately. Yet I continue to hope that she will still feel a part of our family as we think of her, love her, and want the best for her always. <3

Our American Bulldog/Boxer dog, Dozer, has also been a learning experience and trial for me for a while. I'm not sure why I've been struggling with liking him as much as our other dogs-- I only know that I have not had much patience with him during his puppy learning stage. He has been destructive and pretty much annoying (although him getting on my nerves might have to do something with my pregnancy??). I have had much anxiety and anger with this dog. Yet I'm glad to say that I have much improved in the past month or so. I am better at keeping things in perspective, and I'm having better control of my emotions when dealing with our dog's naughty nature. I really feel my actions towards the dog in the past have influenced my 3-year-old and how she treats the dog (and her parents). So now that I'm more calm, I have seen an improved difference in myself and in her.

I did not participate in the sledding day fun, as I was about 7 months pregnant at the time. I enjoyed the sunny day and getting out and doing something, and watching my family have fun. Not that I didn't still over-worry about things (like safety on the sled and the dog roaming around.) I am just grateful to be so healthy and to have opportunities to enjoy life! I truly feel blessed.

As for the sledding metaphor...the ride down is worth the hike back up. Life has its ups and downs (in this case, the ups being more difficult than the downs.) It is all part of the experience. You can't really have one without the other. And that's what makes living so grand. The enjoyment comes alongside great effort and sometimes struggle. It is tiring at times, yet also brings rest and fun.  With the improvements I've been striving for in my life, I really feel increasingly strengthened having to climb back up the same hills each time. It actually IS getting easier and I feel much more capable to accomplish what I set out to do.

I am updating some of the individual sections of this blog today as well. I know change and improvement is possible at any stage in life. :)

2015!

The Sky is the Limit!

So I have pretty much abandoned my blog for a while. But I have a new goal. Since my birthday is on the 21st of June, my intent is to post at least once a month on the 21st of each month. That will keep me fairly current and give me a do-able (and memorable) goal.

The past couple months have been great! Of course there have been ups and downs, but overall I have really felt like I'm getting there...that life is good and that I'm becoming a better person.  I have recognized my blessings more, despite things not being ideal. I have made better efforts in my home and with my family, and it makes a great difference in myself and in those around me. I still have much to learn regarding patience and trying to avoid dumb mistakes- (both of these have involved our bulldog/boxer puppy who isn't much of a puppy but still young...). Yet I am extremely hopeful and excited for the coming year!  I will briefly post the latest in the various categories in which I have done something recently.

Here's to a great year!! :)