Roses and Thorns of 2013

I was inspired by my virtual world friend, morgandaycecil.com, to do a recap of my own of 2013.   Her post reminded me of the game Odin played every Monday morning in Kindergarten.  "Roses and Thorns.". Each child would share a rose (positive experience) and a thorn (negative experience) from their weekend.  So, here is my own list of successes and failures of 2013 and things to look forward to in 2014!  Looking at the list makes me see that I took on some huge challenges this year and met them head on.  It also shows me that I am more than "just" a stay-at-home mom which is how I feel a lot of the time.  When I add it all up, it actually seems like I did some great things this year!  Maybe I'm not just a hamster on a wheel!

2013 successes to be proud of:

Fought Lyme into submission with 6 months of multiple antibiotics and painful weekly shots.  Realistically open to the possibility that it could rear its ugly head again in the future but happy to feel good again!

Did IVF which involved very uncomfortable and invasive procedures and many many many more shots.  Newfound respect for women who have had to go through this and so thankful I only had to do one round.

Learned to Telemark which I have always wanted to do and really enjoyed it.

Took the plunge and got a new snowboard.  Should have embraced change earlier!

I continued as President of Newcomers and Natives.  Designed a new logo and look.  Attracted lots of members that recently moved to town.  Up to 187 likes!

Took on role of Secretary for Mom's Coop club and created their annual directory.

Read 2 parenting books and attended one parenting talk.  Children are more self sufficient and helpful with better attitudes of gratitude as a result :)

Surfed in CA for the first time in 5 years.  I was awful but I sure did have fun.  What a great trip.

Took family on our first camping adventure to Acadia.  Will hope for no rain next time.  

Got a boat and after a initial mishap, learned the waters of the North Shore successfully navigating to Gloucester, Manchester by the Sea, Sand Dollar Cove and Misery Island.

Renovated the basement (not by choice) and it came out great!  Now I don't have an allergy attack when I'm down there and I have a craft room!!!!

Cut myself some bangs and layers using YouTube video directions.

Won 1st place in the Jack O'Lantern competition and in the Gingerbread competition!  This will NOT be in the cards next year!

Found and rented a great ski house and started our second ski season up at Shawnee Peak.  Here's to many more!

Finished 80% of Christmas shopping and Christmas cards before Dec. 1!

Did better at letting go of not having a ton of time with my boys and did a better job of making the most of the time I did have.  Loosened the apron strings as friends are becoming more and more important to them. 

Went to 5 live concerts and enjoyed them so much!  Plan on doing this more again in 2014!

Saw more of my good friends that do not live in Marblehead.  It takes planning but it's such a pleasure :). 

Things I did not do so well in 2013:

I worried too much.

I spent too much time on the computer.

I fought with my husband too much.

I still have too many clothes.  I know a simpler life is an easier life and I need to pare down my wardrobe but I have a ridiculous attachment to every item!

I worried too much about other people and making them happy.  It's a nice trait sometimes but I need to let it go!  So much stress was involved in this.

We didn't host people at our house as often in 2013.  Time to have more parties!

Things to look forward to in 2014:

Traveling to Florida for a family trip in February. 

Heading with the family to Wyoming this Summer for some hiking and rodeos!

Zephyr is starting Kindergarten this Fall and the boys will be at the brand new elementary school in Marblehead!

Thanks to the miracle of science, I am expecting a baby girl at the end of this Summer.  Everyone is looking forward to shopping for a girl.  Our parents can't wait to tell everyone and have "accidentally outed" us more than a few times so far.  Grace is excited for her first sister, Zephyr can't wait to be a big brother, and Odin is excited to share his room with the baby!  Henry is fine with it in a typical 12 year old boy disinterested kind of way as long as it doesn't get his room.  Joe is excited as long as there's only one baby in there.  After watching our neighbors raise Irish twins, we're very relieved that there is only one baby on its way!  I'm looking forward to spending some quiet time with the baby while the boys are both at school and I can't wait to have tea parties, play Barbies, dress up as princesses, and do our nails :)