I always think about making a list of New Year's resolutions. The post-Christmas week of TV always focuses on this while Matt and Meredith (sorry GMA fams, I'm a Today Show gal) lend their anchor spots to those lesser-known stars while they enjoy a week of vacation. Inevitably, we always see some poor unknown reporter out on the street asking anyone who walks by what their New Year's resolution will be. Normally, it's really boring and predictable answers like, "lose weight" or "stop biting my nails." Not that those aren't admirable goals, but they do leave a bit to be desired. It seems that the more general the goal is, the less likely it is to be accomplished. What can I say, I'm a detail oriented person. More detail means more chance of it getting done. And isn't that the point of a New Year's resolution anyway? Something you want to proudly move to the "Done" category?
Being the true, deep down nerd that I am, I decided to look up the definition of the word, "resolution." There are a lot of them. But I searched around for the one that seemed (to me, at least), to really encompass the meaning within a New Years' resolution. Here's what I got ...
res-o-lu-tion (noun)
-the resulting state.
For a girl so keen on detail, I picked the broadest definiton in the history of definitions. Maybe I'm not as detailed as I thought. But this definition really spoke to me in terms of creating my own New Year's resolution this year. A resolution is just that - a resulting state. After this coming year has passed, what do I want my resulting state to be? Where do I want to be when I sit here, one year from today, with yet another year behind me? Once you are married with children, the years can all of a sudden start to run together. I can't tell you how many women come up to me and tell me how they love watching or seeing my kids because it reminds them of their own children. They always say something like, "My kids are in high school now, but it seems like just yesterday that they were that young." Time seems to fly once you start a family and get drawn into the busy-ness and activity of a normal and mundane life.
Thinking about these things is what helped me formulate my resolution for 2011. I do not want to be mundane. I do not want all the days to run together. I do NOT want to be the mom whose kids grow up amidst the business of Target shopping trips, T-ball, and carpools. Sure, those are parts of everyday life and things that will need to be done, but I don't want those everyday things to BECOME our life. I want to love my husband and children, and I want them to know it is happening while I am doing it. When my children are older, I want them to remember being loved by their Mom. I want them to remember affection and peace and laughter in their home. My resolution for 2011 and beyond is to create a resulting state of joy, warmth, and devotion in my family's life.
Now, as I said before, those big picture type of resolutions seem to be the ones that are always the hardest to attain. To try and make mine a little more reachable, I wanted to try and break it down into ways that I could go about making my resolution a reality. So here goes ... the ways I am planning on trying to create a resulting state of joy, warmth, and devotion in my home. These may seem like small things, but I think they will add up to the result I'm hoping to create ...
- Be sure to hug and kiss my kids and husband at least 3 times a day each. I won't be keeping a running tally or anything, but I believe affection is most felt when it is frequent.
- Tell my husband and children I love them every day.
- Spend a few uninterrupted minutes of one-on-one time with each child every day.
- Talk about Jesus with my children every day. Teach them about having a personal relationship with Him.
- Discipline without yelling. Express displeasure in a calm and teaching manner.
- Show affection and love (the G-rated version, of course) with my husband in front of my children. We are the most important model for marriage that they will have in their life.
- Create an atmosphere of comfort in our home by making it a place we want to be and enjoy coming home to.
- Love the life we are currently living without feeling rushed to get to the next step or next milestone.
These are just starting points, but I feel they are all instrumental in helping me create the type of life I want for my family in 2011. I want to be present in my husband and childrens' lives so I don't become that woman in 10 years who is wondering where her kids' childhoods have gone. I don't want to miss things ... even the things that seem normal and routine. I am making memories for myself and my family and I want to remember as much as I can. By creating a home filled with affection, laughter, joy, and peace, I am helping to create a childhood and marriage that my children and husband will (hopefully) not forget. And isn't that what we all desire ... treasured memories of our family? It's the one thing no one can take away from us no matter the circumstances. Those memories will be with us until we are old and they will be passed on to our children's children by the way they will make us live our lives for years and decades to come.
So bring it on 2011, I'm ready for you. If all goes well, I'll be sitting here one year from now reflecting on all the wonderful family memories of the past year. The fun part, creating those memories, is just about to begin!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
It's My Party
As all birthdays tend to go around here, this was a multi-day event. I think because it's the holidays, everyone is just in the mood for lengthy celebrations. We had a pretty low-key day on the triplets' actual birthday. We spent time opening and playing with presents and eating lots of sweets.
New "bikes!"
Luke got a musical card too, so he felt loved.
Cupcake time!
Wednesday we headed down to Charlotte to celebrate with family. On the way down we stopped at Discovery Place Kids. This place just opened in Huntersville and it is awesome. We were already members of Discovery Place in Charlotte, but this facility is geared just for children 7 years old and under. They had so many great exhibits and activities.
My personal favorite was the water tables. These were super cool because they had built in seats in the middle of the table that the kids could sit in while they played. They were literally surrounded by water.
Luke had to take a break in the middle of all the fun.
They had a great stage and dress-up area. We took in a puppet show and then tried on some costumes of our own.
I just had to add this picture of Luke riding on the dolphin. I never thought someone could be so euphoric over plastic marine life.
Peyton hanging out on the airplane...
Adah tackling the rock wall...
After a fun morning we headed down to Charlotte to hang out with family. We also took some time to wander around town and take in all the city lights. We went by the Ritz-Carlton to see their life size gingerbread house. It was amazing! The kitchen staff at the Ritz made it and it was all completely edible.
Finally it was time for birthday dinner, more presents, and cake! We had a great time and the cake was delicious (thanks Edible Art)!
Overall, it was a fun-filled, exhausting last 48 hours. Having a birthday so close to Christmas is utter chaos! I think we'll just spend the next few days laying low and recharging for Christmas.
Merry Christmas everyone!
New "bikes!"
Luke got a musical card too, so he felt loved.
Cupcake time!
Wednesday we headed down to Charlotte to celebrate with family. On the way down we stopped at Discovery Place Kids. This place just opened in Huntersville and it is awesome. We were already members of Discovery Place in Charlotte, but this facility is geared just for children 7 years old and under. They had so many great exhibits and activities.
My personal favorite was the water tables. These were super cool because they had built in seats in the middle of the table that the kids could sit in while they played. They were literally surrounded by water.
Luke had to take a break in the middle of all the fun.
They had a great stage and dress-up area. We took in a puppet show and then tried on some costumes of our own.
I just had to add this picture of Luke riding on the dolphin. I never thought someone could be so euphoric over plastic marine life.
Peyton hanging out on the airplane...
Adah tackling the rock wall...
After a fun morning we headed down to Charlotte to hang out with family. We also took some time to wander around town and take in all the city lights. We went by the Ritz-Carlton to see their life size gingerbread house. It was amazing! The kitchen staff at the Ritz made it and it was all completely edible.
Finally it was time for birthday dinner, more presents, and cake! We had a great time and the cake was delicious (thanks Edible Art)!
Overall, it was a fun-filled, exhausting last 48 hours. Having a birthday so close to Christmas is utter chaos! I think we'll just spend the next few days laying low and recharging for Christmas.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Happy Birthday!
Happy 3rd Birthday to my triplet babies - Peyton, Sam, and Adah! Hard to believe you've gone from this ...
... to this ...
... in three short years! We love you!
... to this ...
... in three short years! We love you!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Letters to My Birthday Babies - Adah
Dear Adah Bear,
Hey there sweet baby girl. If your blue eyes and blond curls don't make everyone melt then they must have a heart of stone. You are the baby of my triplet babies, the last one to be born. Even when you were in my tummy I could tell that you were going to be special and have a mind of your own. Your independence has shown through from the day you were born and it continues to grow stronger with each year that passes.
Your first year went so fast, it's all I can do to remember it all. You were the first to do everything physically - sit, crawl, walk, you were always the first to accomplish all of them. You are definitely the little athlete of the family. You tended to be a spectator first before you joined in a new and unfamiliar situation. At first, you would let Sam and Peyton do all the talking, but you soon let them know that you had a voice of your own and you were not afraid to use it!
Adah, I think both your Daddy and I would agree that you give the best hugs of anyone around. You are very empathetic and concerned about others' feelings and desires. You have become very open and accepting of new people and situations and you are very friendly with everyone you meet.
You have the most beautiful curls ... I hope they stay! I guess all things come to those who wait because we had to wait a looooooong time for those lovely locks to come in (see picture below)!
You are a very tough little girl, it takes a lot to make you cry. But you are also sensitive about certain things. As I said before, your empathy for others is endless. Although you still have to work on your sharing (like ALL 3 year olds do), you are always the first to willingly share your toys and books with your brothers and sister.
You play very well by yourself (that's the independence shining though, I think) and you absolutely love to read. I think I could lock you in a room for hours and if you just had some books you wouldn't complain a bit. We often say that you would be the perfect only child! But you have learned to adapt and you fit right in with the mayhem that is our household.
Adah Bear, you are such a unique, beautiful, and sweet blessing to our lives. Please keep the childish innocence that you so often display for as long as you can. Mommy loves every part of you and she can't wait to see the beautiful woman that you will one day become.
Happy Birthday baby girl! You will always be my triplet "baby."
Love,
Mommy
Hey there sweet baby girl. If your blue eyes and blond curls don't make everyone melt then they must have a heart of stone. You are the baby of my triplet babies, the last one to be born. Even when you were in my tummy I could tell that you were going to be special and have a mind of your own. Your independence has shown through from the day you were born and it continues to grow stronger with each year that passes.
Your first year went so fast, it's all I can do to remember it all. You were the first to do everything physically - sit, crawl, walk, you were always the first to accomplish all of them. You are definitely the little athlete of the family. You tended to be a spectator first before you joined in a new and unfamiliar situation. At first, you would let Sam and Peyton do all the talking, but you soon let them know that you had a voice of your own and you were not afraid to use it!
Adah, I think both your Daddy and I would agree that you give the best hugs of anyone around. You are very empathetic and concerned about others' feelings and desires. You have become very open and accepting of new people and situations and you are very friendly with everyone you meet.
You have the most beautiful curls ... I hope they stay! I guess all things come to those who wait because we had to wait a looooooong time for those lovely locks to come in (see picture below)!
You are a very tough little girl, it takes a lot to make you cry. But you are also sensitive about certain things. As I said before, your empathy for others is endless. Although you still have to work on your sharing (like ALL 3 year olds do), you are always the first to willingly share your toys and books with your brothers and sister.
You play very well by yourself (that's the independence shining though, I think) and you absolutely love to read. I think I could lock you in a room for hours and if you just had some books you wouldn't complain a bit. We often say that you would be the perfect only child! But you have learned to adapt and you fit right in with the mayhem that is our household.
Adah Bear, you are such a unique, beautiful, and sweet blessing to our lives. Please keep the childish innocence that you so often display for as long as you can. Mommy loves every part of you and she can't wait to see the beautiful woman that you will one day become.
Happy Birthday baby girl! You will always be my triplet "baby."
Love,
Mommy
Letters to My Birthday Babies - Samuel
Dear Muscle Man,
Oh Sammy, where do I start? You are such a sweet, perceptive boy, and you have been since you were born. The "middle child" of the group, you were the biggest and healthiest of the three of you when you were born. All of the nurses in the NICU loved your handsome little face just as much as we did.
You grew so much the first year we had you home. You were definitely the most laid back baby and you often had to wait while the girls ate because you were the only one patient enough to do so! You were the first to find your thumb and you used it quite frequently.
Sammy, you definitely have a kind and gentle heart. You love Mommy, Daddy, and your brother and sisters. You are my cuddliest baby and you love to gets hugs and kisses from anyone who will dish them out to you! You have always scared fairly easily, but once you are reassured that everything is ok, you calm down and are fine.
You are definitely the clown of the group. You love to make people laugh and you have recently started using funny voices and jokes to try and get others to laugh with you. You are the first one to give a hug and you have a smile that brightens my day.
Sammy, you love music and frequently have requests in the car as to which CD or music you want to listen to. You enjoy art and making things with your hands as well. You LOVE tools and always help Daddy when he is using them around the house. I'm hoping you'll end up handy so you can continue to help Daddy around the house as you get older. You also love to eat! You are usually the most willing to try new and different foods.
You are such a great big brother to Luke and you both have grown closer now that you share a room together. I love to hear you two laugh and giggle in the mornings before we come to get you out of bed. You already have Luke laughing at your jokes!
Sam, you are such an affectionate, caring, and curious boy. I cannot wait to see the boy (and man!) that you grow into. Mommy loves you so much and I can't imagine our family without you in it. You are going to do many great things in your lifetime and I cannot wait to cheer you on from the sidelines. Stay kind and gentle my sweet boy, those qualities are hard to find these days.
I love you more and more every day Sam-Sam. Happy Birthday!
Love,
Mommy
Oh Sammy, where do I start? You are such a sweet, perceptive boy, and you have been since you were born. The "middle child" of the group, you were the biggest and healthiest of the three of you when you were born. All of the nurses in the NICU loved your handsome little face just as much as we did.
You grew so much the first year we had you home. You were definitely the most laid back baby and you often had to wait while the girls ate because you were the only one patient enough to do so! You were the first to find your thumb and you used it quite frequently.
Sammy, you definitely have a kind and gentle heart. You love Mommy, Daddy, and your brother and sisters. You are my cuddliest baby and you love to gets hugs and kisses from anyone who will dish them out to you! You have always scared fairly easily, but once you are reassured that everything is ok, you calm down and are fine.
You are definitely the clown of the group. You love to make people laugh and you have recently started using funny voices and jokes to try and get others to laugh with you. You are the first one to give a hug and you have a smile that brightens my day.
Sammy, you love music and frequently have requests in the car as to which CD or music you want to listen to. You enjoy art and making things with your hands as well. You LOVE tools and always help Daddy when he is using them around the house. I'm hoping you'll end up handy so you can continue to help Daddy around the house as you get older. You also love to eat! You are usually the most willing to try new and different foods.
You are such a great big brother to Luke and you both have grown closer now that you share a room together. I love to hear you two laugh and giggle in the mornings before we come to get you out of bed. You already have Luke laughing at your jokes!
Sam, you are such an affectionate, caring, and curious boy. I cannot wait to see the boy (and man!) that you grow into. Mommy loves you so much and I can't imagine our family without you in it. You are going to do many great things in your lifetime and I cannot wait to cheer you on from the sidelines. Stay kind and gentle my sweet boy, those qualities are hard to find these days.
I love you more and more every day Sam-Sam. Happy Birthday!
Love,
Mommy
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