My Word for 2012: There isn’t one.
This is the first year in a long time that I haven’t come up with any kind of resolutions.
Last year I came up with a word to mark 2011, and to be honest, I forgot about it pretty quickly. I found out I was pregnant in late January, and the rest of the year has been a roller coaster ride.
It’s hard to talk about how intensely difficult this season is without sounding (or being) ungrateful for the incredible gift of two sweet, healthy children. But it is very intense. And it’s tempting to feel like I’m losing myself when I think, “New Year’s resolutions? Seriously? My resolution is to get the breakfast dishes done and fold laundry. The end.”
Rachel Jankovic’s Loving the Little Years was a big encouragement to me last week. I got it for Christmas and finished it in one afternoon (while A.J. was home, and mostly during naptime, in case you’re wondering how I managed to pull that off).
I do have a couple of informal goals for the year, now that I think about it. One is related to Bible reading, and the other to blogging. I want to continue writing here at least twice a week, even if it’s nothing special.
Mamas of little ones who know this intense season I’m talking about – what are/were your coping mechanisms? And please tell me that the days eventually have a little more breathing room!
No resolutions for me this year either. I keep thinking what resolution could I keep while I try and deal with (all day) morning sickness and three kiddos! 
Though my kiddos aren’t quite so close in age, I can relate!
I loved reading Loving the Little Years too. It was so encouraging.
As for coping mechanism, other than constant fervent prayer, laughter always makes the day flow more smoothly. I tend to become too list driven and occasionally this makes things that are not a big deal a big deal…then I step back and laugh about the fact that a day could possibly even have 4 spills and praise God that at least with all the spilled beverage, my floor is getting washed!
Who knows who coined the phrase, but the days are long and the years are short! Enjoy!
[...] is a powerful antidote to discouragement. This morning as I washed the breakfast dishes (at 10 am, in my pj’s), I sensed God reminding me [...]
I stopped coming up with words for the new year because I realized that at the end of the year I prefer to look back and see what word God seemed to choose for me. This year it would have been self-control:)
I’m looking forward to reading that book. And can relate. And speaking of “Loving the Little Years” I think you should watch this:
you don’t realize how difficult of a season it is until your in the midst of it. And it does get better/easier, it doesn’t slow down but I think the constant becomes the norm. My coping mechanism….lots of prayer and good iron/multi-vitamin supplement and the acceptance of always looking exhausted:)
It does really get easier, for me some of that is in having a child old enough to have good two-way conversations, the days don’t feel as lonely as they used to, i hope that makes sense…..(I’m responding after only getting about 3.5 hours of sleep…….:)
Sweet friend, I understand. Looking back on my blog posts from that season of my life (that you’re in now) are almost enough to make me cringe. I remember feeling like such a downer, and apologetic to all the mama’s I knew were going to be in my shoes soon. All the things I said I’d never do I’ve done, and much of what I wanted to do I haven’t. It IS easy to feel like you’re losing yourself, but you just have to constantly remind yourself that this is where God wants you to be. This is His plan. And if He’s great and mighty enough to ordain your world, He is great and mighty enough to give you grace to make it through.
YES, the days do get better. I don’t think anything gets easier, but it most definitely gets better as we learn, stretch and grow (says the Mama who was awake for less than an hour before needing to repent for a harsh spirit with her almost 3 year old…*sigh*) {hugs}