Ready or not, Christmas came and went and here I am on January 2 working on my preparations for our second half of the school year. I've been sick almost since Thanksgiving, first with a respiratory infection, then a relapse a couple weeks later and along with that, the flu. We had to rearrange our plans to travel to Michigan for Christmas, shortening our trip and missing a party, but thankfully we were still able to go for 2 nights. This week I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed being home on a school break and just enjoying more relaxing days. I realized this afternoon that I've had no clue as to what time it is most of the time! I sort of wish I could live like that more often, but schooling this many kids requires a solid schedule.
I'm not one to make "resoutions" for a new year. Resolutions come throughout the year when I see places that change can make me- or our family- better. And by better, I mean more faithful. More faithful at living out this calling God has given each of us. With that being said, I am going into 2015 with some new inspiration.
Last week I checked a book out of the library. It's called the Nesting Place. I figured I'd flip through it and look at the pretty home décor pictures. Little did I know....I have to own this book and I wish I had the money to give it to every woman in my life! First of all, I opened the back to see who wrote it. I recognized the name (because it's unique) as being the "girl" who snagged one of my basketball coaches from my sophomore year in high school. I guess that was partly memorable because we girls all thought he was something special and were probably a bit jealous ;) So it's written by a Christian woman with a very sincere and kind heart who recognizes the importance of making your "nest" a place to welcome others, share God's love, and be a reflection of who you are. Her main message is "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." I LOVE that and I've heard it in my head since the day I READ the book from cover to cover. I've always thought of decorating as something I'll do "someday" because it's not really in the budget. But this book inspires you to do so many things that are free or thrifty- and some crafty too. She also mentions the home you step into that you're almost afraid to move for fear of messing something up. Let's not try to have that kind of home, okay? Seriously, I never could if I tried because I have so many "mess makers" here. But I totally got that. I've been to homes (even of people I'm close-ish to) where I felt like I was in a museum and I was scared to really be myself. There is beauty in the messes. In the reality that PEOPLE are in the business of growing, creating, LIVING here each day.
Along with the whole decorating the nest idea, I've also had a bit of a knitting epiphany. 2014 was full of frustrating projects that I left undone. I tried to make too many things that take more concentration than I can dedicate to at this time in life. And it bothers me to see my stash of random unused yarn . So I decided to make a crazy stash blanket. I'm planning to keep it in the living room to add a bit of color and fun . Then I got to thinking- I could probably make a couple more blankets with the amount of yarn I have from nearly 14 years of knitting. So I'm simplifying my knitting goals- maybe a couple of simple blankets, pillow cover or two, and a couple of things for the baby. Back to my school prep. It was nice procrastinating with you :)
Happy 2015.