2011 was a good year. It was a busy year. We brought a new member into our family and didn’t slow down a bit. In fact, we seemed to take on more.
In 2010, the themes of the year were contentment and security (or insecurity).
The theme for 2011 was “fighting bears” and becoming stronger and more capable than I imagined I could be.
I still struggle with all three of these topics. I’m human.
2011 was a noisy year, too. I got worked up about a lot of stuff. Despite valiant efforts to get organized and stay organized and to “unplug” often, I feel like my mind was constantly going 100 miles an hour.
I didn’t read enough. I didn’t listen enough. It was a great year, but I also know that some things need to change.
I want the theme for 2012 to be quiet. Peace and quiet.
Two precious, hilarious little boys live at my house, so it’s going to be loud in the literal sense. I’m going to have commitments that I love. I’m going to make time for friends.
I’m not talking about that kind of quiet. I’m talking about removing the extra noise from my life. I need to pay less attention to the Twitter and Facebook topics that cause my blood to boil.
I want to remove the noisy reality TV from my life. I want to make an effort to unplug more often and stop having the voices of 300 people every night coming into my head as I catch up on tweets.
I want to say yes to the things that are important to me and I want to do those things well. Really well!
I want to continue to volunteer and use my talents.
I want to read books for fun.
I want to read the Bible in one year.
I want to exercise.
I want to make time for me and make time to relax.
I am not listing these things for myself as items on a “to do” list, but rather items that I know I love that make me feel better. These items are not intended to stress me out. They’re intended to relieve stress and quiet my heart and my mind.
There will not be a pregnancy in 2012. (At least not a planned pregnancy.) I will be focused on my husband and my boys. I want to get back to a quiet place.
Our New Year’s Eve plans every year are always pretty boring by the world’s standards. But we like a simple evening. We like falling asleep on the couch. This year won’t be any different. I’ll ring in the New Year after I tuck my babies in for the night.
We’ll say goodbye to 2011 and will likely be asleep when 2012 rolls in. And it will be the beginning of another day.
My prayer for my family is that TC and I can be the leaders and examples of Christ to our children that we need to be. I will pray daily for my patience, kind heartedness and opportunities to give to others as I raise my sweet boys.
Happy New Year, friends! Whatever you do and where ever you go in 2012, I hope you’re all happy and healthy!
Here’s to being asleep on the couch when New Year’s rolls in! Happy New Year! Praying it will be one full of peace and quiet for you 🙂
I echo your plans to continue to disconnect from voices and be present in my every day. Great post!
Happy New Year from Australia! Wishing you and your family nothing but love and happines (and quiet!) in 2012. xx
I don’t know if I’ve ever told you this, but I respect and value you so much. I learn a lot from you and alway appreciate your honesty! This is a great post; I love it. I’m really glad we’re friends. Happy New Year!
First time commenter here, but I wanted to tell you how refreshing it is to run across a blog that very often speaks of Christ. The blogging community in general can often get bogged down with materialism/gossip/egocentrism. As a fellow believer, I know it is hard to sometimes get caught up in the things of the world, but our greater hope and focus should always be on the Lord. Thanks for not censoring your faith on your blog! I hope you have a very happy, healthy and blessed new year! 🙂
I feel the exact same way. I’ve even took a big step back from twitter in the last month or two and I like it. I feel no desire to ‘catch up’ on tweets anymore. If I’m around and feel like tweeting, great, if not, OH WELL. I agree, I need my head to just be at peace and there are things I need to do this year to make that happen. Sounds like a great 2012 is ahead of you!
Happy New Year! I wish you a year full of the peace & quiet you crave. I think we could all benefit without the periphery noise that we bring into our life with social media, reality shows, etc. Our family is what’s important and too often we put that on the back burner so we can get caught up with everything else first. I’m with you…let’s make 2012 the year of “quiet!” The word that keeps popping into my head for 2012 is “intentional” – I want to put thought into everything I do and not just keep on doing the same day in, day out. Here’s to a wonderful 2012 🙂
My sentiments exactly! I’m joining you in wanting peace and quiet in 2012. It may not always be peaceful and quiet around me, but I want my heart and my mind to be at peace.
I don’t think I could agree more! A year of peace and quiet sounds so nice.
Hope you have a wonderful last day of 2011 with your boys and parents today!!
I love your goals! I think these are things that everyone can aspire to. One of my main goals is to de-clutter, both my space and my life. Happy New Year!
The first 2 years of my marriage with Brad we watched a marathon of America’s Funniest Home Videos and then we were asleep by 10. Granted, the first year I was pregnant and EXHAUSTED and the second year we had a 5 month old and I was EXHAUSTED. Last year we did something, but for the life of me I can’t remember what it was.
I’m so excited for 2012. It’s going to be a year of huge changes for our family, we’ve been waiting for these changes, praying for guidance, praying for peace, and now the time is finally here. I’m beyond thrilled.
Happy New Year Erin!
Happy New Year!! I have learned so much from you in this year and continue to love to watch what you do with your boys and see what will be coming up for my Mason and I!!
Best wishes for 2012!!
I hear you on so many counts. Here’s to a great year for you in 2012 friend! And many more get togethers!!
I agree with you… 2011 was very noisy. I have spent most of the last week in “quiet” – unplugged for the most part – and I feel like it has softened my heart and made me listen to God more. It is a tough balance to achieve because of the amazing friendships that exist on twitter… but at the same time, it can just be a “loud” place. I’m thankful for your friendship and wish you and the family a wonderful 2012! xo, Melissa
Last year at New Year’s I was reading The Lord of the Rings and my parents had to drag me outside to set off a few fireworks in the driveway. Honestly, I like quieter, low-key NYE nights. I’m not much for crowds in general, but I also just think turning over a new leaf, regardless of how large or small, is a pretty personal thing.
I just wrote my list of intentions for this year. I like the part you shared about being quiet. When I have all the noise of what is on the internet and tv, it is hard to hear anything God might be trying to show me.
I love your 2012 theme! I think we could all use a little quiet in our life especially when we are surrounded by so much “noise”. I am letting go of some of that “noise” as well – I said good bye to Facebook last night and already feel that much more better. I’m not thinking about other peoples problems especially those who aren’t in my real life on a daily basis. I will say a prayer for you as you make way on your year of peace. Thank you for all you give to your blog though. I enjoy reading your thoughts and happenings – thank you for sharing with us all! I hope 2012 brings you all the peace, quiet and happiness you need! Oh and I’ll be snuggled on the couch ringing in the New Year through my dreams as well. Happy New Year Erin!
We have a lot of the same resolutions!
I will probably be up at midnight, mainly because Landon is teething and I bet he will be up wanting to nurse and/or snuggle 🙂
Happy New Year!
Well said!!
“Be still and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10…..This is a Bible verse that is my “go to” when life seems to get out of control and my mind is cluttered and I cannot find the peace that only God can give. I am often guilty of not “being still” and listening to the quiet voice that speaks to my heart and soul. I will try to be better about it in 2012. God’s blessings to you and your sweet family in this new year.
Happy New Year to you. A year of peace sounds great. I have a blog and Facebook and I purposely don’t sign up for Twitter because I know it will drive me mad. I am getting married this year. So excited!!!
Love your thoughts about more quiet. Wishing you a wonderful 2012!
Great choice for you and your family! I must say though, I’ll miss reading your stuff every day!
Our lesson in Sunday School yesterday about about being busy. How busy our society has become and how we feel like we have to do it all. I’ve been doing better about saying no and concentrating on the important things in life….. as 2012 begins, that’s what I’ll continue to do. I think it will always be a hard thing for a mom to do because we want to do it all….. and be the best. But as I look around and see what’s important, I want to be my absolute best at the things I do….. being a wife and mom (a Christian wife and mom!) is my utmost priority.
Couldn’t have said it better myself…now let’s see if I can actually do it!
I love this and can relate to so much! It is going to be a great year! 🙂