Happy New Year!! We rang in the New Year pretty low key this year. We ate dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant (I ordered the spiciest thing on the menu-didnt work). Then a trip to Target to let Rowan pick out a special toy to give to the new baby. There was a decent bedtime for Rowan and then Kev and I pushed our chaise lounge chairs together to make what we have termed “couch bed”. We sat in front of our fireplace, drinking sparkling red grape juice and talking about 2012 and goals for 2013. It was quite lovely if you ask me.
We decided on more general goals for this year instead of specific resolutions. Here are some things that made my list…
ADVENTURE: Kev and I both have an adventurous spirit. We don’t sit still for long. I am looking forward to welcoming this new little baby into our family and figuring out how to still satisfy those adventurous desires. Rowan is at such a fun age to bring places and let her experience new things. She is just like her Dad, she gets so, so excited. I hope we can quickly settle in as a family of 4 and let the family adventurers begin. Nothing brings more joy than getting out there and doing things all together as a family. I’ve already got some ideas and things up my sleeve for 2013!
JOY: I love the idea of trying to find joy in every situation no matter what the circumstances are. There was such an awesome message at our church during the Advent season on Joy. It really struck a cord with Kev and I.
INSPIRATION: I wrote on twitter a few weeks back how I was cleaning house in my google reader and was only keeping blogs that uplift and inspire. I went from 250+ blogs to about 80. Same for twitter, instagram, etc… I really want this year to be filled with true inspiration. Not comparison. I don’t need to be bogged down with negativity. I love being inspired by people who are uplifting, honest, and truly awesome. I feel like it is so easy to see a persons true intention through blogging. Not just with blogging either, this is one that carries through to life in general with people and things we surround ourselves with.
FAMILY: With such a big change about to happen to our family dynamic, it’s going to be super important to keep our priorities focused on what’s most important. Life can get real busy, real fast around here. I want to make sure we are always very intentional about our family time. I would also love to spend more time visiting family that are far away. I miss my sisters and extended family so much. I want to carve out time to visit more often.
LAUGHTER: I want to make sure we are spontaneous and leave time and room for silliness and fun. I know sometimes when Kev gets home, I turn into task lady. I try to get everything done I wasn’t able to do during the day. I hear them goofing around and think it’s more important to put the laundry away. I want to make sure all of us remember that sometimes the things that seem the most important to worry about really aren’t. We are pretty silly already in our family, but I want to make sure it’s something we always have in our relationships with our kids.
Case in point…
That sounds wonderful. Less is always more in my book :] Hope you meet your new baby today!! We find out today what the gender of our baby is. Can’t wait!
Sending you, the belly and your family lots of well wishes and cheer for the New Year!
What fun! The Plaza concourse has never looked so good, happy 2013 ๐
Sweet post:) Many amazing blessings for a wonderful 2013 sent your way!
I’m with you on leaving comparison and negativity behind. Since I sell clothing online and blog frequently, I feel an obligation to always be reading blogs and checking pinterest. But I’m trying to pull away from that quest for perfection or internet fame. Your family seems awesome! – Leah, leahwise.com
Oh man, these pictures are just adorable. I die!
adorable post and adorable photos! happy new year.
http://www.modernsuburbanites.blogspot.com
Lovee the pictures of Kev and Rowan!
I’m excited about the new year also, it’s so full of hope and opportunity. Here’s to 2013! xo
love it! happy new year!
This post is so sweet. Your new years eve sounds perfect! I love the pictures of Kev and Rowan jumping around together! My husband looks similar to Kev (in my opinion ๐ and it makes me soo excited for the day I get to see him play with our kids like the pictures above.
Happy new year! I think this is the 4th or 5th (if that’s possible) year I’ve been reading your blog and it’s still my favorite!
Such cute pictures!
Good luck to you, Kev and your family in 2013… I know you’ll succeed in your resolutions ๐
xo Jennifer
http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com
LOVE THOSE PHOTOS!!!
And what great resolutions. Hope y’all have a truly wonderful year!
Couldn’t agree with your goals for 2013 more! You guys never sit still as a family – it’s so much fun to follow along. My sister is pregnant (due in June OMG!) and one of the first things I did was show her your recent post on hand-painted onesies. So glad you still manage to work in time for blogging when the rest of life is getting so busy! Happy 2013!
i saw these photos on facebook and love them! hope you have a great 2013!
Happy new year to you & the family, Jen! I have to say that I just adore Rowan’s pigtails in these photos ๐
Awesome pics!! You will be an amazing mom of two. Can’t wait to hear the new baby name!!! ๐
I love these photos of Kev and Rowan! And those pigtails!! ๐
What a beautiful and inspiring list! My goals for the coming year are pretty similar, especially the part about finding joy in the everyday and the eliminating of negative energy in our lives.
I recently culled my blog reader and eliminated a whole lot of blogs that didn’t do much for my peace of mind or feeling positivity and yours is one that I was happy to keep and continue reading. Thanks for sharing your words and your family here with us. I look forward to meeting the tiniest little member soon!
xo
Happy New Year, Jen! I love these jump-for-joy photos of Rowan and Kevin. You have a sweet family, and I hope your little one comes soon. I know her big sis is waiting! xo
May your little bub come soon and your foursome live an adventurous life in 2013. I so enjoy your blog, Jen.
Y’all make the Empire State Plaza seem like the most magical place in the world! These pictures are fabulous!
Those photos are adorable! Happy new year!
-Kati
Your family seems to fit each individual perfectly, and that’s how it should be. I am sure that the new babe will fit in just beautifully as well!
Sending good vibes that the babe will make their appearance soon enough ๐
Love the spontaneity of these photos, your daughter and hubby are awesome, I bet it makes your mom heart smile!
If the spicy food doesn’t work.. you could always eat an entire pineapple! worked for me.. twice ๐ good luck to you and your family!
Love your thoughts on 2013 Jenn – you & Kev are such amazing parents, always inspiring, especially as Martin & I (fingers crossed) plan for our own family for 2013. And your New Year’s sounds perfect, we kept ours super low key too, just the way I like it. ๐ Best of luck with your delivery…. hopefully soon!! ๐ xo
These are suchhh fun photos!! And what awesome goals. Starting small is the way to go. Small steps bring you to the best places.
I look forward to following you through the new year!
http://www.simplylovelyxo.blogspot.com
Cool to see that you go to an Acts 29 church, because I do as well! ๐ Wishing you a happy new year. Love having a little peek into your life and cute little family.
I really like Kev, he is such a fantastic sweet dad and Rowan totally adores him
๐