Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 4

Lesson #4:

You can do anything you set your mind to! Nothing is impossible!

There is little in life as awesome as watching your child setting a goal and remaining determined until they achieve it.

About 5 months into my pregnancy, an ultrasound predicted I was going to be the mama of a girl. As comes with the territory, my mind turned to all things frilly and pink. Never once did I imagine that I would be cheering her with damp eyes as her Tae Kown Do instructor tied a black belt around her waist!

I saw her set her mind on reaching that milestone and watched as she followed through and pressed on to make it. It wasn't easy, but she stuck with it and met the goal she had set for herself.

Emily Claire, you will go great places! Your determination is inspiring!

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 3

So lesson #3 should have been posted last night, but yesterday was a hectic day and when I finally slowed down enough to think of it, I was in the upstairs hall headed to bed.

This is all part of the lessons learned through motherhood, including:

There will be days where things don't go according to plans and days that you get so wrapped up in motherhood that you forget everything else.. Go with it! Be flexible!

And...sometimes you just have to know when to call it a day, leave a few things unfinished and get some sleep while you can!
 

Proof that she really did sleep once in a while as a baby! :)

 (For the record, going to bed at a reasonable time instead of coming back down and opening the laptop was the right choice!)

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 2

Life Lesson #2:

I think I taught her this one, but we certainly agree that...

"There is NOTHING like a good book."

Some of my most precious memories are of the times we have spent snuggling and pouring over the pages of a story and I will NEVER forget the first time she read to me!

I just can't say no to the purchase of a book. The times I have lectured that, "we're just buying what is on the list," as we enter a store only to have her sweetly ask for book are too numerous too count. Of course, my heart melts, my wallet opens and we come home with another great piece of literature to add to our collection!

Keep reading, sweet girl!

See you tomorrow for #3.

Thirteen to Thirteen: Day 1

In less than two weeks we will be celebrating a big birthday around here. Emily is turning 13. I cannot believe how the years have flown by and that in a matter of days we'll have a teenager in the house!

Thirteen years ago, with a flurry of emotion including excitement, anticipation and (I'll admit) fear, I walked (waddled) into that labor and delivery room to meet my precious girl. From the moment I laid eyes on her, my heart was bursting at the seams with love and I knew life would never be the same. Little did I know that winter night, just how much that tiny 5 pound, 4 ounce person was about to change me--for the better!

I am in awe of how much she has taught me over the years and thought it'd be fun to share some "Life Lessons According to Emily Claire".

#1...DON'T be afraid to express yourself. Accessories are a must...

.
and you are NEVER to old to add a fun touch to your outfit!

Stop by tomorrow for Lesson #2.

One Word: FOCUS

Some years have found me conjuring up grand ideas for New Year's Resolutions. I made BIG plans which resulted in little results and ultimately feelings of failure and disappointment.Other years I didn't bother to make resolutions or even goals. It was if I just went along where life carried me without much thought as to where I was or was headed. Neither brought much in the way of accomplishment or joy in my life and left me longing for more.

Enter...One Word Three Sixty Five. I came across this concept and felt led to come up with my own word for the year. Immediately several came to mind and since I'm a bit of a "word nerd" it wasn't easy to select just one. But, after some deliberation I think I have settled on my theme for 2014: FOCUS.

Among others, I plan to:

Focus on setting goals and seeing them through...

Focus on following my dreams (no matter how far-fetched or out of reach they seem)...

Focus on my health...

Focus on being the wife and mother my little family deserves...

Focus on making my "house" a "home"...

My hope and prayer for this new year is that I can and will focus on what is important and let the rest blur into the background.

Love and blessings to you all as you begin 2014!