2009 was kind of a bad year. We were looking forward to 2010 with all the new and good things it would bring. It brought new and good things all right, but at the same time we found ourselves constantly stressed, on edge, exhausted, exasperated, and spread thin. I’ve felt generally unsettled; I have this sense of “temporaryness,” as if just around the bend lies the peaceful, orderly lifestyle that will allow me to relax and enjoy my family, friends, hobbies, etc.

I know you’re laughing at the term “orderly” used in reference to a household with two small children. I don’t mean that I expect every little thing to be in its place all the time, or that I plan to adhere to a strict schedule. That’s absurd. But still, I feel like I need a bit of routine to function at my best. Routine isn’t hindering; it’s freeing. It allows you to get done what you need to get done so you can get on with life.

I was most of the way through the year before I realized that every single month brought some reason why I couldn’t get into the groove of homemaking:

• January: fixing/cleaning up house to put on market
• February: showing house, David out of town a lot, looking for new house
• March: big time pregnancy nausea, selling house, preparing to move, looking for new house
• April: packing, moving out, moving in with my parents, closing on old house
• May: closing on new house, living with my parents, getting work done on new house
• June: living with my parents, getting work done on new house, moving in
• July: getting settled, preparing for kitchen remodel
• August: kitchen remodel
• September: two new dogs, kitchen remodel, pregnancy complications resulting in physical therapy several hours a week
• October: new baby, recovering from C-section
• November: new baby (yeah, I get to use this one for a few months)
• December: new baby, holiday activities

So there you have it. An excuse for every month.

These are all (well, maybe except for the ailments) good things. David started a new job last January which has been very good for him and our family. Our new house is wonderful, absolutely perfect for us and something that will meet our needs for years to come. The kitchen is (almost) done and is so nice for a family who loves to cook. We are blessed to have our rescue dogs, Sydney and Lexi, even though they are a handful sometimes. And then our favorite little disruption of all—Sarah—just takes our breath away with how amazing she is.

So I’m hoping that 2011 will be a year of settling in, relaxing, enjoying the abundant blessings we’ve been given, enhancing relationships, opening our home to others, giving more, serving more, learning more, taking great pictures, trying new recipes, reading lots of children’s books, going to the park, playing music, and getting enough sleep. :)

Comments(4)