The Need for Simple.

What a week it's been! I can't believe we are almost a full week into 2012.

A few weeks ago I had decided that I would choose a word for 2012, a word that I would try to incorporate into EVERY. SINGLE. PART. of my everyday life.

SIMPLIFY is what I chose. SIMPLIFY material items, SIMPLIFY my thoughts, SIMPLIFY my family life. This sign was made over at elm street life and I fully intend on making one as a daily reminder for myself.

2011 was such a whirlwind of being pulled here, there and everywhere. It was a rat race of trying to live, survive and "keep up with the Jones'". It took it's toll on me. I took a long hard look at the things in 2011 that drove me nuts and I found that crazy, hectic and over-booked IS NOT where I want to be. This year I need to relax, enjoy life and FIND MYSELF a bit more. Go back to basics and remember what makes me tick. What makes me WANT to get out of bed in the morning and be that ray of sunshine I know I can be to the rest of the world and most of all, to my family. I don't want to just have the same old routine every day only to look back every 3 months and say "wow, that went by fast and what do I have to show for it?". I need to cut out alot of things that I no longer need so that I can enjoy the things that SHOULD come first. Family, friends, LIFE. I fully intend on this taking me the entire year to do. I mean heck, it took me 30 years to clutter up my life, it should take me at least 12 months to de-clutter it, right?

Hold that thought...then Maddy got sick. Sooo the start of my New Year goal got pushed back a bit. By 6 days to be exact. Yet, here I am. I may be a little late to the party, but I'm ready and willing to start playing, once I finish 2011's to-do list!

 I mean geez, I haven't even posted about our Christmas or winter break yet! So in the days to come be prepared to be taken back in time a bit {by about 2 weeks} so that I can get myself caught up with the rest of the world! For some reason I don't feel like I will be able to start simplifying my life until I can get up to speed and download all my photos and write down some memories for the end of 2011. Seriously, my camera has over 850 pictures on it from the last 2 weeks of December.

There it is. What I plan to accomplish in the next 12 months.

As for the present, Punkin' Head is FINALLY starting to feel a bit more like herself. For those of you that emailed and commented asking how our little one is doing I figured I would respond here, I just haven't had time to even start returning the majority of my emails or respond to comments. Thank you again for all your kind words, tips and heartfelt messages.

Its looking like a virus is the culprit. After a week of multiple doctor's office visits, multiple prescriptions, and none of the tests coming back with a definitive answer that's what we {Maddy's pediatrician} are leaning toward. She is still hanging on to a low-grade fever, that nasty cough and is somewhat lethargic - who can blame her though, the poor kid has only had about 20 hours total of sleep between last Saturday and today. Lord knows I'm exhausted! She is however back to her charming two-year old self. Mood swings and all. We were even able to get out and enjoy the 45 degree weather we had today without it making her feel worse. That was a NICE change of pace for sure! Playing was short-lived since she's so wiped out but it was nice to just hang out on the lawn and watch the horses and the chickens while she read a book and I sorted some mail. Sick or not sick, I love simple little moments like that {SEE I'm simplifying already, am I good or what?!?!}.

I'm not a doctor, but I think its safe to say we are on the mend. I'm hoping by the end of the weekend all is back to normal around here and I can FINALLY start my new year off right.

Better late than never....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And if you haven't had the chance, be sure to check out the big, multi vendor giveaway I have going on here: 

It's huge so you really don't want to miss it.