a year in review

At the start of every new year, my family pulls out our past years new years resolutions and writes down our new ones. As we read through all of the past years, the boys get quite a kick out of how much they have grown and matured. We usually end up laughing till our sides hurt over the fact that someone wanted to "learn their ABC's" or "stop using sippie cups".  But the fact of the matter is, this tradition has become one the boys anticipate for weeks to come.  It is such a fun night of reminiscing and looking forward to what we hope the future will hold.  And now that my boys are getting older, it seems to be that our resolutions are really starting to develop into some great goals and expectations. If it is not a tradition of yours, to make resolutions with your family, I urge you to start this year... I promise you wont regret it!!! So as I promised, here is the layout that we use to review the past year and look forward to the one ahead.

Was I missing something?

To me, being a mother has been the best "job" I could ever have.  It has defiantly been the hardest job but it has also been my most rewarding.  Granted it is a 24-7 kinda job with no holiday or vacation pay and I rarely ever get a sick day or get to have a full hour lunch break. But then again the benefit package is pretty awesome... and I do like to flirt with my hot boss (the hubby)!!
But then I had an epiphany that led me to this conclusion--- that although being a mom was my job, it really shouldn't be this much work!! Why did I feel like I had to work so darn hard to enjoy being a mom? Why did I have to work so hard to get everything done? Don't they say "if you do what you love than it's not really work at all?"  THEN WHY DOES BEING A MOM FEEL LIKE WORK?  Was I missing something!!!???
Then it hit me.... I was working way to hard on all the wrong things!! I was working hard at making sure the house was clean and the laundry was done.  I was working hard at planning parties and volunteering my time at church and school.  I was working hard at running errands and organizing the chaos of our schedules.  I was working hard on all the "fluff" of what people perceive a good mom to look like but in reality I was missing out on all the substance of what a good mom should be. I was missing out on just being with my family and missing out on watching them grow up.  I was often finding myself hustling around,  making sure everything was neat and orderly, everyone was happy and taken care of.  And in doing so I was missing out on all the good stuff.
So time for a plan... time to start working hard on what truly matters and stop working so hard on what doesn't. Then maybe, just maybe, my job as a mommy wouldn't feel like work.  Yes, I still needed to clean the house, pay the bills and make sure everyone is fed, but I certainly needed to refocus on where my energy was spent and realize the hard work needed to be turned to the nurturing of my boys hearts, minds and spirits.  I certainly DO NOT have this plan all figured out... I don't think I ever truly will, but as long as I try each and every day to put my energy and time where it is needed most, than hopefully each day will be a good, successful day.

Flowrider!

Every year at the end of summer break, we try to take the boys on a quick weekend stay-cation somewhere close to home, usually Park City, before the kids head back to school.  But this year, with Braxtons knee surgery and football schedule it was hard to find the time.  So instead we opted for a fun filled family vacay at home.  We decided to devote the whole weekend to just family time and being with each other, just like we would do if we where staying at a hotel... minus room service!  We spent the majority of the weekend in Ogden at The Junction enjoying Fat Cats, bowling, dinner and going to the movie.  On Saturday we headed back to The Junction and rented out the Flowrider for a couple of hours.  With a family of 7, it was nearly the same price to rent the whole place out for 2 hours as it was to pay for each of us individually... Plus we had the place to ourselves!!! Poor little Walker was so flippen excited to jump on the board and surf but on his first time out, he biffed it hard and was upset the rest of the afternoon- we couldn't convince him to give it another try.  All in all, we learned it doesn't matter where we are... at home in our town or on vacation in some hotel, being together as a family is all that really matters!!!