Simply

It's January? Can we just pretend it's still December and I'm better about updating our blog? :)

Actually, I'm ok with being silent around here because it usually means I'm spending some quality time with my family. At least once a day I think "I should blog about that." But at night, the motivation is gone.

We had a great Christmas break with the girls! As the girls get older, the festivities just get more and more fun.  We made lots of Christmas crafts, did lots of Christmas baking, and just enjoyed being together as a family.  The girls have inherited my appreciation of watching Christmas movies in jammies, with a fire in the fireplace, and having just the lights of the tree on. I was going to post pictures from Christmas, thinking it was the least I could do.  But I haven't even downloaded our Christmas pics yet.  So, I guess THIS is the least I can do. :)

After New Year's, we hit the ground running.  Most of the time it feels like a sprint to the end of the day.  I've taken on more leadership roles at church and the school, as well as continuing with homeschool projects, fixing up things around the house, and just doing the day-to-day stuff.

With all the busyness, I crave order and simplicity.  I get into a purging mood at the beginning of each new year.  I'm learning that the purging can also mean activities.  I'm learning to say no.  I have no trouble saying "no" to my children, but I have trouble saying "no" to others.  I want to be involved. I want to be helpful.  Above all though, I need to remember that my priorities should be: God, family, others; in that order.  I'm praying that the Lord continues to show me areas that can be rearranged (or eliminated) to keep my priorities in the right place.  

I suppose you can call that a resolution.  I'm going to call it a goal.  :)  I want to reach the end of 2012 and feel like I did my best to keep things from turning upside down.

Will you help keep me accountable?

As a sidenote: There's a free kindle book on amazon right now that talks about simplifying your life.  It's right here.  And if you don't have a kindle, just download the kindle app to read books on your computer.