I definitely LOVE birthdays. They are sooo much fun. they are such a great day to touch base with amazing people and catch up.
So this is me @ 34. For those of you that know me well, yes of course I had to figure out how old I am. I never get it right, I always tell people the wrong age. I don't know why. a few times in my life I have been very mistaken. Age just is a number to me. A birthday celebrates age when you are little, celebrates your life successes, rewards and learned lessons when you get older.
My favourite statement I learned from Oprah that I love is that :
Every life has a story, and every story has a lesson.
My new word for myself for 2011 is Simplify. I was recently given a beautiful necklace with this handmade pendant that had this word on it. I will show pics one day soon. It is perfect. I want to simplify my life.
photo courtesy of Maki Fotos
What have I learned in this last year?
- I will never be finished repairing walls my kids constantly put holes or knicks in
- I probably will always have long hair because everytime I go shorter it is curlier, frizzier and drives me nuts. So instead I will embrace my prom hair and curse it under my breath, and vow to take a pic of one of my bad hair days. cause I sure got a ribbing when I mentioned that one day. It does happen. oh yeah baby. frightful! And apparently everyone much prefers me to remain a natural boring blonde. BUT, sorry I LOVE red, I LOVE drastic streaks, I am a wild child. :))
- Scrapbooking for fun with friends and lot's of laughter cures ALL.
- Hoarders is my new favourite show. And I can seriously purge and clean when that show is on. So definitely the next time it is on a Saturday marathon, look out house, you may get a makeover.
- I will never have a super clean house for very long. (unless the kids are at my parents, then it seems to look good,haha)
- I am seriously in LOVE with GAIN laundry detergent. It pleases me, it makes my house smell heavenly. I will NEVER go without the little things in life.
- GOD has blessed me with the family I have. I really am a truly lucky lucky girl. Healthy, unique. I wouldn't change a thing.
- People come and go. If they want to go LET THEM! The ones that stay will really be worth the journey of constantly making every effort to continuously build that relationship, to develop it, to nurture it, cut loss the rest. life is toooo short, and having real gems around you is a gift. I am very blessed. very blessed.
- I realized that being a domestic diva everyday is not for me. It is hard, draining and makes me miss out on a lot. So instead I will be the diva when necessary, and celebrate the times when I go all out because man it is fun, but let myself relax and breathe if it means I didn't make it by hand, or I paid more than I should just to take the easy way out. I have realized MY TIME is unmeasurable. It is VALUABLE. I would rather spend it making memories. So I will not again not once feel guilty for buying bread from the bakery, for throwing away socks instead of darning them. I will not feel guilty for splurging instead of slaving. But the times when I do want to rock the domestic diva routine. look out, you will be in for a treat.
- I have learned that I need to say no. It will lbe okay, people won't be upset if I just can't do it all. This is the year I need to just say no. It will be ok. I will get through it. I need to take on less. Charity is wonderful, I will still volunteer where possible, but just a pinch less. Instead I will spend more time in my kids classrooms.
- I have learned that morning coffee dates with amazing women really is the fuel to start the week. In the new year I am going to make sure that I dedicate Mondays to celebrating being a stay at home mom. They are inspiring, the stories make you feel normal, the visits make you laugh. they give you the perfect jumpstart to the week.
- I have learned that nothing is more important in life than my family & friends. I am very blessed.
Now I read the most beautiful thing that I feel really really truly is something I wish I wouldve said. It hit home for me through and through. So I have borrowed it from her site, but please go check Angela Magnuson out for writing something so awesome. Thanks Angela for being profound. Love it, and your work!!!
sometimes
i wish i could be everything that everyone expects me to be.
i wish i could be what I EXPECT me to be.
i wish i could run away.
i wish i could stay right where i am.
i wish i had made different choices.
i wish i knew exactly who i am.
i wish i hadn't said what i said.
i wish i was prettier.
i wish i was younger. {not really, ok - i take that one back...HA!}
i wish i was smarter.
i wish i could give more.
i wish i could love more.
i wish i could think more deeply.
i wish i could be light hearted.
i wish i was skinnier.
i wish i was more spiritual.
i wish i was older.
i wish i had what she has.
i wish i hadn't opened my heart.
i wish i could start over.
i wish i was stronger.
i wish i could escape.
i wish i didn't feel those feelings.
i wish i didn't wish for a thing more than i actually have.
i wish.......so many things.
...and often so opposite of one another.
it's so complicated - when i know it COULD be so simple.
but guess what.
all the time....i know.....way deep down....that
(now you will have to go to her site to finish reading it, after all it is her words it is worth it!!!!)
Well thanks for joining me in my birthday. I am overwhelmed at all the cards, phone calls and hundreds of facebook msgs sent to me today, the prezzies, flowers. Seriously I was on a cloud all day. I am a very lucky girl to have all of you in my life.
I'll leave you with this.. . a little laugh. I have my eye on all of you!
seriously do these pics not make you laugh.Maki Fotos is SOOOOOO UNIQUE! cutting edge. Love you Maki!
******edited******* I guess my links haven't been working this am. I double checked them, so hopefully it is a glitch that will fix itself. I have reinserted them so let's have fingers crossed.
