{Inspiring Links} Setting Family Intentions for the New Year

There is always a bit of time between Christmas and the first day of a new year that allows me to ponder what I wish for my family before January 1st rolls around.  As I look back on the year 2012, I find that is was full of drastic life changes for myself and my family that afforded us the opportunity to grow into the close knit unit that we are today.  Throughout this year, we've supported each other during the loss of grandparents that were very dear to us.  We also did everything in our power to keep Grady's life as normal as possible as we moved our family from one state to another, lived with my parents for close to a year, sold our house, bought a new house, and regrouped as we began to create and establish a home that we can call our own.

As the dust settles and the promise of a new year comes into focus, I have many aspirations for myself as a mother, and for my family as a whole.  Being a blogger, I am always blown away by those that continue to inspire me to become a better mom, to live life more fully, and those that also remind me that perfection is only a myth.  After reading some of the following posts from amazing mamas around the globe, I've began to embrace a few simple wishes that I hope to keep close to my heart and at the forefront of my mind during the year 2013.

~ Slow Down ~ Live Simply ~ Enjoy a Creative Life ~ Dare to Live ~ Find Peace ~ 

Be Grateful ~ Unplug ~ Treasure Ordinary Moments ~      

Real Creative Family Living ~ Mamascout

Amy has inspired me to bring creativity and free thinking into our home.  So many of her posts show inventive ways to learn as family and to do so simply and with passion. This year I hope to focus on educating my son by looking closely at the spark that shines from within him and to learn together, based on the natural rhythm of each and every member of the family. Igniting and expanding the passions that we hold so dear, is what creative living is all about.   

Dare to Live ~ Finding Joy

This post written by Rachel at Finding Joy struck such a cord with me.  I often find myself getting lost in the fog and coasting through the days, not savoring the ordinary moments that I am blessed to experience with my son.  She states that we just need to look more deeply as we make our way through the day.  As a mother, I hope to live boldly, to experience life as it comes. To let go of fear so that when I look back, I have no regrets.  In order for my son to live as such when he grows up, it is up to my husband and I to teach him how to do just that.

A Thinking Mama's To-Do List ~ Awesomely Awake

Shawn never ceases to amaze and motivate me with her poetic words that manage to open my eyes to an new way of looking at life.  She has shown me how to simply be grateful, to not only be easy on myself as a mother, but also to embrace the beginning a new day.  This year I wish for more laughter, more joy, more celebrations of the ordinary moments that we take for granted.  To do this, I plan to unplug as often as possible and to simple slow down and connect in simple ways in our daily life.      

10 Ways to Expand Your Child's Comfort Zone ~ 52 Brand New

In an effort to really live life to the fullest and combine everyday living with learning experiences, I've come to Danielle's site.  52 Brand New is all about new experiences and expanding your child's comfort zone.  Trying new things as a family can help you connect and learn in wondrous and exciting ways.  This year, we shall release our fears and apprehensions of the unknown and try something new when the opportunity arises.

Celebrations of Light ~ A Natural Nester

Although this particular post focuses on the Christmas season, I think the message can be embraced throughout any season that your family is going through.  Elizabeth explains that it is her hope not to simple concentrate on one special day, but to celebrate and expand the joy of Christmas by exploring the meaning and traditions behind that particular celebration.  What a wonderful philosophy to carry throughout you entire life.  Next year, it is my wish that we not only look to the future events of the year like our anniversary or family vacation, but to savor and enjoy the particular season in our life that leads us to those momentous days.  

Resources to Guide us Along this Journey of 2013

For the past two months, I have been a participant in Awesomely Awake's Abundant Mama Project.  The group of women that have come together to practice and share the abundance that they find each and every day among their struggles has definitely inspired me.  Shawn has reopened registration for the new year in hopes to expand the village for those of us just looking to celebrate the joys of everyday living through creating magic in your daily life.  You won't want to miss this opportunity.

I am so excited to begin another eLab with Mamascout later this month.  Beginning January 21st, Amy will be guiding Mama's everywhere to help them write their stories that have been long forgotten and pushed under the rug.  In an effort to find the bits of ourselves that we've lost, you can join Amy's A Book About Me {Mama eLab} to help redefine yourself, not only as a Mama, but as an individual looking to add a little meaning to your life. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me. 


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