I feel it would be a bit wrong if I didn't do the typical "end of the year" post. To be honest, I'm having a hard time reflecting on 2013. In no ways has this been a bad year. We have not had any major set backs. No major medical emergencies. The workplace has evolved into something so much better than I ever dreamed it could be. All in all it has been alright.
Alright. Just alright. That's how I feel about 2013. When I reflect on it I just have these feelings of alright. I don't feel bad about the year. I don't feel great about the year. I just feel alright.
So, I'm going to do two things in this post. First, I'm going to try to identify a few things that I feel I could work on for 2014. Then, I'm going to focus on the blessings of 2013. Why focus on the blessings? Well, when I get into a slump I focus on all the "negatives" in my life. So, I'm going to choose to focus on the blessings rather than all those things that make me feel like I'm in a slump.
1. I need to allow myself to have more fun in 2014. I get so focused on getting through the journey that I forget that it is ok to be joyful throughout the journey. This particularly applies to my marriage. Tim has to remind me all the time not to be so serious. The stresses of life get me down and I need to let that go! So, this is my main goal of 2014. I want to fill my life with joy.
2. Build balance between work and home. It is no secret to anyone that I work too much. On most weeks I keep at 6:30-5:00 work day and will often bring work home with me. I spend my weekends grading papers and writing lesson plans. I need to build better boundaries. I need to set a goal to leave school by a certain time every single day. I need to have evenings were I don't allow myself to bring anything home. I need to focus on family and on friends.
3. There has to be a point in ones life where you really develop a strong prayer life. This is something I've always felt that I struggle with. How much should one pray? What "counts" as prayer? Sometimes even knowing what to say to our God is a challenge. I want to focus on this spiritual discipline in 2014.
4. I have got to stop worrying so much! Good grief! If there was an award for worrying I can promise that I would not have any competition. I read something the other day that stuck with me. Basically it said that worrying is like praying for things you don't want to happen. As Sheldon would say, "Bazinga!"
There are many more things that I could work on, but these are the four that I really want to focus on in 2014.
Now, to focus on blessings from this past year:
1. I can't even explain to you how much joy comes from watching my niece grow. I love her so much. It amazes me sometimes how much I love her.
2. I am so blessed to have best friends that call us family. I love that their son calls us aunt and uncle. I love watching him grow and play. Although the relationships have changed in the past year, our friends are such a blessing to us and I couldn't ask for anything more!
3. Tim was blessed with a new job title in 2013. He is now part of the administrative team at Lord's Legacy. He loves his job and we are both adjusted to his new schedule. This blessing has brought about stability for our family.
4. In 2013 we welcomed a new administrative staff to the Valley. Work is a much happier place (most of the time) and I am forever grateful! I am also looking forward to the end of year evaluations where I will *hopefully* be grated tenure upon the first day of t the 2014/2015 school year.
5. Speaking of work, I have the most amazing team on the planet. My teammates rock. I've never met a group of people that love their job as much as they do. I've never seen a group more dedicated to teaching than they are. Our team works hard to make decisions that are best for our kids, no matter what sacrifices we must make so they can happen. We truly work together. We solve problems. We get the job done!
6. My husband found a way for me to get a new car in 2013. God bless him! It was a needed purchase, but one that we had to work hard to work out.
7. Financially we have been blessed. Don't get me wrong, we are by no means "rich" or even "well off", but we are making it work and we finally have a little in savings. I am blessed with a husband that is budget minded and can turn a little into plenty. Sometimes it drives me mad. Sometimes I don't understand. But in the end, I am thankful. Four and a half years ago we were jobless and literally praying for a miracle. We had to take out a loan just to live. We literally only had enough for our bills and groceries. Not one "extra" could be had. I would have never dreamed then that in four short years we would be able to buy a home and be able to afford a new car. My husband has followed God's call with our money and I have been smart enough to "shut up" most of the time and follow him. Even though society would tell us that we are crazy for the way we live, I am glad that we live this way!
8. I got to spend a glorious week at the beach with the man of my dreams. Enough said!
9. My dad was laid off at the end of 2012 but in 2013 he found employment. This was a major blessing for my family. My mom also went to work for the first time in her life. It has been a blessing to watch her become successful at her job. I'm blessed with amazing parents.
10. I graduated from grad school in 2013!! I graduated with a 4.0!! I was blessed to have an amazing grad school buddy to do it with as well. What an honor it was to have my undergraduate adviser hood me and to have my mentor and friend there to watch.
11. We had many friends bring babies into their lives in 2013. I mean seriously, nearly everyone we know had a kid toward the end of 2012, or in 2013. It's fun to watch people you love become parents and see how much it changes them. Really, they become complete.
12. I've been lucky enough to go to 2 UK basketball games in 2013! I know for some this sounds silly, but when you love the CATS like I do, this is a blessing!
13. I have two friend from college that I don't get to see often. I wish that could change. I love them dearly. With that sad, I am blessed that both of them are still there for me like they were when we lived together in Hutton Hall. I can call them up with anything and they will drop everything to talk and pray. Not many people are blessed to have friends like this and I am lucky enough to have two!
14. I have to end on an even number so I am going to add that we were able to buy a new dishwasher in 2013 and this has brought so much freedom to our lives. I know you laugh, but the old one would "smoke" when you ran it and I was always scared it would catch on fire or flood the house. It is nice to be able to run the dishwasher at night and not worry about dying in your sleep.
See! There are many things that we are blessed with in 2013! the list could go on, but this post is getting rather long. I choose to focus on the blessings as I make my way into 2014. May God bless all of us in the new year!
