Hello 2011

I meant to write something yesterday but we had friends over for NYE so was too tired for anything useful. I have been thinking about what this year will mean for us though and I know that it will be a year of big changes for every single one of us.

Nathan will be turning 16 this year and school will finally be over for him. Exams will feature and then results, then moving into his next phase - eek! Abi has an English exam this year too plus grade 2 practical. It will be DH first tax return of his new working life, wont that be fun. So far we have earned nothing and spent loads so we should be ok,lol. We have planting and harvesting too and a holiday in the spring. There will be just as much carting around as ever with all the clubs, groups, lessons and school stuff continuing. There are trips and things to fit in too and summer is going to be an interesting time.

So what do I want for this year.

• For this next 6mth to go smoothly for Nathan and the rest of his time at school to be bearable. And afterwards for his choices to be right for him.
• For DH work to flourish, to have earned something and to be managing fairly well
• For Seb to begin to improve behaviourally, for something to work with him and for him to be less challenging.
• For Abi to cope well with her English and get to grips with it.
• For Emma to continue to work well with ACE, and to start to have an interest - any interest would be good!

I chose to not do OU this year, this wasnt an easy decision, many tears were shed, but in light of things recently I dont think its a bad thing. For me this year I want the following:

• Peace - to argue less, to be a nicer mummy and to be less angry about my life
• Art - to paint more, draw more, create more.
• Contentment- Give up things that I need to let go of, even though its hard. To accept my life as is and work with it. To appreciate what I have, the beauty in my life, my blessings.
• Forgiveness - myself for past mistakes, others for being who they are and not being able to help it.
• Time out - For me; including a road trip to visit a friend, reading more books, and my art.
• Learning - to read educational books - learn more about my faith, about music, art, technicallities of language, to read about nature. Start a journal.
• Complete, as far as is possible, my 101 Things.

Its not a huge list really, not even a demanding one. Just one that encompasses what one particular commenter says to me, and which has stuck as something I really need to do this year - "be kind to yourself" . I think everyone should. All I want this year is a gentle, quiet life instead of fighting the motion I want to try and go with it. In the busy-ness of all that is to come I want to be doing it with an element of contentment and peace.

I hope this year all of you get what you want and may 2011 be a good year full of blessings, contentment and peacefulness.