{one word}

For the last three years, I've been doing these {one word} posts and it is fun to look back and reflect on the year.

2012
2011
2010


{one word} encapsulate the year in one word. explain why you’re choosing that word. now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures this next year for you?

My word that I chose for last year was GROWTH...and growth we had. Captain C grew physically and passed me by almost 2 inches. {Yikes} Terrific T and Princess P and both growing and maturing daily. I may or may not have grown by 10+ pounds. {Big yikes} Our family has grown as Big Daddy began traveling more so we have had all had to step out of our comfort zones often. I have grown in my spiritual walk this year too. Our pastor has been leading us to really spend time with God daily if we want to know Him. I have been saved for years but could easily go weeks without touching my Bible. {Biggest yikes!} This year I have realized that I don't have to get up at 5am and sit in a special chair at a special time with my Bible, concordance, notebook, and highlighters in order to spend time with God. It's ok to read His Word on my phone while I'm waiting for little dude to fall asleep (and have to sit at the edge of his bed so he doesn't trash the room...again) or read while the kids are working independently on their school (but need me to sit right there so they don't wander or doodle). Instead of never reading it because I didn't have the perfect time, I've been getting a little bit at least each day and growing in Him. {yay}

Probably the biggest growth for our family this year has been a result of our fostering. I was watching this video recently and it sums it up pretty well. I believe each person in our family has grown through this. I LOVE watching my kids love on these kids. When they tell you to "love them like your own," that sounds sort of cliche but we truly do love them like our own. We were blessed with a sweet little angel for 10 days in August. Our first experience into fostering. And it was great. Then in September, we got our current little angel. He is awesome and fits right in around here. The kids have never complained about taking care of him or being left home alone each week while I take him to speech and visits with his mom. I try hard to not make it a burden on them, but they have jumped in and helped SO much. Poor little guy has 5 parents here. ;) We have grown in our ability to love others and not judge as we visit with mom each week. It's been good.

Overall, our family has seen great growth in many areas of our lives and are feeling very blessed as we enter this new year.

I love new years day. It is like a fresh start. Not quite like shaking an Etch - A - Sketch and starting from scratch, but so many possibilities await us. I tend to get very reflective on how we can do better this year and very gung-ho about health, wellness, cleaning, organizing, etc, etc, etc the last week of the year. I make lists and print charts and download apps to help organize every area of our lives. But that normally lasts anywhere from 3-13 days. {sigh} So, as I think on where I would like to see changes in the next year, my word for 2014 is going to be:

CONSISTENCY! - I have a great knack for starting many, many 'brilliant' things...but not finishing any of them. I start reading my Bible through in a year...every year. I've never finished it. I start journaling, budgeting, meal planning, lesson planning, exercising, even knitting, but drop them when it isn't new and exciting anymore. I need to work on being consistent. Not jumping in with 2 feet and whole body and piddling out in a day or two. I need to be REALISTIC {seriously...my house is never going to be spotless, meals on the table at 5:30 every day, and I should probably just donate my clothes that are 2 sizes too small} and not quit when I realize that {gasp} I'm not perfect. I am thankful for grace, but need to not abuse it. If I am consistent in my pursuits of holiness, health, loving others...habits will be formed in me and my children. 

So bring on 2014!  I pray your year is full of little glimpses of God's love for you and around you. I pray for health for our family and friends. I pray that we continue to grow as God wants us to grow {and shrink where God wants us to shrink!}. And that we are consistent with our goals.

How about you? Have you reflected on the year? How would you sum it up? I'd love to hear from you.