A NEW Year!

I have so many thoughts as I reflect on last year and look forward to the next.... 2013 was okay but I feel as though we "rushed" and sometimes "pushed" through! Luke is growing by leaps and bounds and while he is proving to be such a sweet and joyful kid, he is also challenging us as well. I often find myself saying did we handle that right, what could i have done different, what is the message I just sent him by what I said?
I am learning quickly that kids interpret things much differently than adults do and with a busy kid, you have to keep in short and simple. Luke is always on the go... looking for the next activity or next opportunity! Parenting the right way, causes us to slow him down and ensure he is listening.. I would say that doesn't happen as often as it should. I am not beating us up by any means... there is a TON we do right. We do hugs and kisses, and we do praise. We do goal setting and rewards. We do a lot of FUN. We do outside and we do exploring! We read to him all the time and he has started asking for the option to read to us. My mom (Mimi) told me the other day that he picked up his kid bible and started telling her about the story of Samson and the Lion!! How proud am I? What I am doing different I would say than maybe my first year of parenting is looking to the Bible more for the right actions and parenting style. Who knew I could read less parenting articles and just focus on the Word (I sure didn't)! I used to put more emphasis in what my friends were doing.... but don't get me wrong - that is STILL so helpful and it makes you feel good to know others have gone through exactly what you are!!! What would I do without them? These wise ladies I have surrounded myself with to tell me it's okay to feel the way I do and to cry out of frustration to. They understand when you feel a loss of control and the feeling of helplessness.
The daycare that we moved Luke to has probably been the BIGGEST blessing of 2013 for us! The learning techniques and the manners and Christian values of kindness have been a God send! The transition was hard and while there is a ton more structure, I feel comforted knowing that when he is in someone else's hands 30+ hours of the week, that he is loved and cared for-THIS makes me feel like a successful parent.
Because of Chris' job, I do a lot of solo parenting, but I can tell you what, I would never want to do it full time, all the time! What he brings to the parenting relationship with Luke is irreplaceable. I believe we have a good balance.
I am also learning to choose things wisely and don't invest time, energy or money in things that don't nourish me and my family. I am going to the lease with Chris because it will nourish HIS soul and our relationship and it will be a great learning experience for Luke!  I am involved in MOPS because the outlet I have there in Christian motherhood is good for me. I will pay way too much money for a membership to my yoga studio because I LOVE IT, it's convenient and it makes me FEEL and look good. I will stay involved in my book club because it gives me an outlet to doing something with my free time besides watching TV! I will thank my mom more because it nourishes HER soul and I will hug Luke even more and be even more patient while is learning and turning into a little man.

I said I wasn't going to set New Year's Resolutions this year, but I guess looking back at that last paragraph, those are really mine. I want to live a simpler life- not necessarily with less things, just with more things that I will use. I am so burnt out on the excess of this life!  This year, I want to be at the top of my game, but realizing I can't do that alone, I know if i pour into the things and people who really matter to me.....I will be successful! So here's to it!