Sunday, January 19, 2014

Resolutions



The other day I was holding Rosie on my hip and noticed just how much she has grown. It wasn't that long ago that she needed my full support to be held and now she easily sits right on my hip, practically doing it all by herself. I don't know when that change happened. When was that moment that she no longer needed me to hold that big head of hers? I can't believe how quickly time flies! I roll my eyes every time I say that. And since time keeps speeding up, I want to change things so I can have more quality time with the two cuties above. So my 2014 New Years Resolution, and now Life Resolution, is to live in the PRESENT.

So I've been thinking a lot about HOW I'm going to do this and here's what I've got so far:

#1 Prioritize. I'm a full-time wife/mother with a full-time job and both roles keep me busy with a long To-Do list. This list is full of GOOD things to work on, but I need to figure out what are the BEST things to work on. Like Elder Oaks Good, Better, Best talk - "The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them." Sad but true. I get so caught up on getting everything crossed off that stupid list of mine that I sometimes forget to pause and do simple yet important things like sit on the ground and read "Is your Mamma a Llamma" with my sweet baby. I could either have a clean kitchen or play with Rosie. Typing it out makes me think "DUH! Play with Rosie!" But sometimes in the moment I feel like getting the house cleaned is so, so, so important. Dumb! I like the quote, "Be Present not Perfect". I think I'm going to print that out and hang it somewhere as a reminder!

#2 Temple. Ug. Not "ug" to the temple, but "ug" to our poor attendance lately! Having a baby and going to the temple has been harder than I thought it would be. It's hard enough to get to the grocery store in one piece (OK, it's not that bad). I love this quote: "If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present." I get anxious a lot, but I've noticed that the times I'm the least anxious are when I'm in the temple. I truly feel peace there. And if peace means I'm living in the present, then the temple is where it's at! So I'm definitely going to try and get there more often this year.

#3. Yoga. It slows me down and centers me. I think I'd like to have a set time every day to practice and remind myself to slow down and breathe.

#4. Unplug. This one's hard because my job requires me to be on my computer for a good amount of time each day. So I'm not sure how to do this one. Maybe say no technology on Sundays? I'll have to think more on this one...

If anyone out there has any tips on being present, please let me know!!! I would love, love, love to hear them!


*I wrote this post awhile ago but decided not to post it, then a woman at church gave a talk on this exact topic so I figured it must be a sign share it :)

9 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you shared!! I don't remember that talk by Elder Oaks and I'm so excited to read it! Also never heard the quote about being anxious/living in the future/past....double love. Being present is this whole new challenge when you have a munchkin...but I've always thought that you would handle being a new parent way better than I ever did, and I really think you are, Rosie is so lucky to have you! And I roll my eyes when I say that phrase too (time flies...)! haha!
    I have so many things to say to this....I'm planning to call you tomorrow anyways :)
    BTW, hearing only half of the conversation tonight was ADORable :). He LOVED it and told me all about it afterwards.

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    1. It's such a good talk! Let me know your thoughts on it after you read it. It's such a good reminder that we can't do everything nor are we expected to. And thanks for your comment. Love you!

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  2. Oh and ADORABLE picture of rosie (and trevor too, I guess). Her two teeth!!!

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing! I love being inspired by strong women that I admire. :) LIKE YOU!! Of course. :) I have made some goals for myself but I haven't made them really concrete of really figured them out yet. I love the idea of having a little personal "theme" for the year. Mine has to do with finding peace in THE PRESENT!!! OH WOW!! I just came up with that as I meshed my goals and yours!! That was like, a totally amazing moment just now. I had the peace thing, but I couldn't figure out the rest. And thanks to you... yay!!! Just did. I'm going to print that our for me and hang it up!!! I LOVE YOU!!! It's almost as good as "CARPE DIEM in 2009" or whatever or quote/theme was that year. What was it? I love you and your adorable sis so much and am so grateful I can be friends with you!!!! :) :) :)

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    1. You're so funny! What a great "theme"! Maybe that will be mine next year, but for now I just need to focus on being in the present whether there's peace there or not ;) And wow. 2009 was SO long ago! I have such good memories from back then. Wait - we were roommates even in 2007! Ah! I'm so happy to have known you for so long!

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  4. PS- Amen, amen, and amen to everything you said. I think this is the key to finding TRUE JOY in motherhood. It's in giving up the little things and finding joy in the little moments of each day and realizing... THIS IS LIFE. THIS IS HAPPINESS. YOU ARE LIVING YOUR DREAM RIGHT NOW. I am sooooooooo happy we moved close to a temple. It really makes ALL THE difference in life. It is amazing. We reached our goal last year and are really trying to prioritize it again this year. Once you get there you're like, um... why I don't come here EVERY DAY?!?!?! But it is hard with a baby, especially a nursing baby and especially if it's a drive. But no more excuses. Let's do this together!! (I wish we could really go together!!!) I LOVE YOU!!! :)

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  5. I agree about prioritizing. However, I want to share something I've learned. Rosie is watching and sometimes play isn't what we think out is.
    Sofia loves to get up on a stool to "I help you" with the dishes. Lilly happily, sometimes, plays at my legs. At first it made mute feel one of two things: someone please come occupy the children so I can finish in time to play with them OR "I'll just duo these later" (like when everyone goes to bed and I have Soooo much extra energy, ha)
    Now I realize how much I can teach them as we wash dishes together. Lilly learns patience and the ability to distract herself. Sofia learns about bubbles, sharp things, sizes, wet and dry, and time with mommy doing something mundane, but necessary.
    Just some food for thought as you prioritize. I love the time with my babies that they learn cleanliness and togetherness. :D

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    1. Sorry for all the auto spell errors

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    2. Anna, that's a good point! Work can be fun too! It doesn't all have to be books and toys. Thanks for your comment!

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