And just like that, we’re at the start of a new year and I could not be more thrilled.  I love the new year.  I love the opportunity to start new and fresh, to reflect on the previous year – what you loved, what you didn’t, what you learned, and how you grew.   The New Year is a time to sit down and take stock of where you are and where you’re going – to set new goals and intentions.

And there’s a really fresh and special energy around it all that makes me just so happy.

For the last couple of years, I’ve chosen a word of the year in addition to our regular goals.  Choosing a word of the year is a great way to group your goals, or to have one over-arching theme to come back to as you go through the year.

Before we get to my 2019 word of the year though, I thought it would be helpful to take a look back at 2018.

A Look Back on 2018

The truth is, I spent much of 2018 in overwhelm or fighting against overwhelm.  I chose a word for the year at the start – simplify (you can read about that here) and we worked hard on it.  We definitely made some strides, but in all, I don’t think I would call much about the year SIMPLE.

In hindsight, adding our littlest to our family changed the dynamic around here more than I initially realized.  And while it felt much easier on my physically to bring him into our family, I don’t think I was prepared for everything else – the different dynamic with Hubs who was now largely responsible for taking care of Little while I was nursing the baby, the different dynamic with Little who had had me all to himself during the days (and vice versa – my having him to myself during the days).  The shift in schedules, all of it.

And I had a lot of self-inflicted overwhelm, too.  Feeling individually responsible for keeping our home clean and organized during the day while also taking care of both boys.  (Key word: feeling individually responsible…because of course, I’m not totally on my own here.) Balancing their schedules such that we could all get out of the house often enough, but not too often so that we could also respect the littlest’s naps.  Meal planning.  Remembering things.  All the mental work that is motherhood.

Growing the blog.

I didn’t ask for help nearly as often as I should have.  And of course, once I did, it was right there for me.  Lesson learned.

And that’s not to say that we had a bad year.  We actually had a lot of fun in 2018.  Adding the littlest to our family was my favorite part and we are so thankful for his sweet spirit and infectious smile every single day.

I’ve loved watching Little become a big brother (and he’s a great one), we got to go to 3 weddings that were awesome, and we got to go on some really fun trips (see our trip to Greensboro here, Tweetsie Railroad here, and a day trip to the zoo here.  Plus several more that we didn’t document as well!)

I think that things can be both really good, and sometimes overwhelming and hard at the same time.  I learned so much in 2018.  Hubs and I grew a lot and I’m grateful to be on this journey with him.

But, man.  I am excited for the fresh start that the new year promises.

Looking Ahead to 2019

So, where are we now?  Well, we’re here.  Right where we left off.

I took a bit of a blogging break over the holidays.  Sure, I stopped in every now and then, but for the most part, I turned off blog mode.  And let me tell you – I am feeling so refreshed and recharged and just excited for this new year.

Hubs and I made quite the list after Christmas of things to “get done before 1/1” and we worked so well together as a team to get them done.

So, I feel like I’m coming into this year with some added clarity, and an excitement for all the things this year will hold.

Now to get back to a regular blogging schedule over here so you can easily follow along…

2019 Word of The Year

And with all of that said, my 2019 word of the year year is TREASURE.  Treasure.

As a noun, treasure is something of great value.  And as a verb, treasure means to keep carefully, to hold dear, or to cherish.

The Bible also talks about treasure.  In Matthew, it says:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

I have no idea what 2019 will hold.  But, I do get to control where I CHOOSE to place my treasure – what things I choose to hold close in this season.

In looking back, I think that much of my overwhelm in 2018 can be attributed to misplaced treasure.  Focusing on things that are good, but not necessarily great.  Picking up, but not realizing the time to put it down.

And in 2019, I want to be more intentional about treasuring the things that will last.

To be sure, I will continue working to organize our home – because it’s where we do life.  I’ll continue working to simplify things around here because that’s helpful for us all.

But, I hoping to better prioritize important things this year.  To treasure the things that matter – faith, relationships, children (who keep growing too quickly), home, rest.

PIN IT:

What to Look Forward to

Next week (or as soon as I get it together) I plan on sharing my goals so you can see just how my 2019 word of the year plays into them.  Hubs and I are actually taking some time this weekend to write down our family goals for the new year (here are some of our prompts to help us set goals together) so I’ll add those on the list, too.

What are you working towards this year?  Any exciting goals or plans? Did you choose a word of the year for 2019?  I’d love to know!

Wishing you all the best, this year friend!