Persevere

I've seen on many blogs people coming up with their "word of the year."  I've seen this in the past and I've never really been a huge fan.  Only because how can you come up with a word that is you are trying to achieve for the whole year?  Well, I read another of my favorite blogs today and she came up with three words, and after reading it, I realized what a great idea it may be.  Coming up with one word is hard.  I've seen people say Joy, as in only doing things that she finds joy in, and saying no to those things that she doesn't.  I've seen Action, as in she wants to move forward with some decisions and see somethings come to fruition. Grace, was another.  And my personal favorite Balls; meaning she wants to have the balls to take on bigger challenges.

My word?  Persevere.  I plugged the word into MS Word dictionary and here is the first definition:
steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks

I wish I had a better word than WOW.  But wow, and it really rings true with my New Years Resolution.  The reason I'm being so tough on myself with this is because it has now been four and 1/2 years (long period) since we started trying to grow our family.  Friends that got married after we started trying for a baby, now have a child or two to speak of.  Time is of the essence folks, and I'm not going to be taken prisoner by it anymore.  This year, I intend to jump through hoops.  Not that we haven't, but maybe the difference comes in my attitude this year.

So there it is.  Perseverance...in so many aspects of the word.

Balancing Act

We are finally back in town and settled from our crazy December holiday schedule.  First, I was in Chicago for about a week for a wedding, and as an added bonus got to see my new neice and nephew.  Kevin's brother and his wife had twins, after a battle with infertility themselves.  Then we parted ways and I stayed in Chicago for my company holiday party, and Kevin went on to DC for a conference.  We met back up at home for a few short days before we headed to Napa Valley for some much needed R&R.  It was blissful, full of drinking great red wines, as well as eating like we were training for a competitive eating contest.  We got home from Napa just before Christmas only to take off a few days later to spend the holiday with my family in Pennsylvania (where my sister lives). 

We finally got home just after Christmas completely exhausted, pleasantly plump and done dealing with people.  I think we put on our pajamas for a week and didn't move off the couch.  I've recently learned there is a term for this; "the need to cocoon."  Makes sense to me.  We very quietly brought in the new year with more wine and food, and declared ourselves done with 2010. 

Now we are back in the swing of things with new attitudes and tighter pants.  I've learned a few things from my December travels.  That while it's very important for me to get out and travel and have fun, I need balance as well.  I need a trip to look forward to, but not 3 at once with very little down time.  The holidays are all about eating, drinking (for my family anyway) and spending time away from our regulary scheduled lives, however, I like being on a schedule.  I've learned that too.  But I think getting out of that schedule is also important, because that's when we learn and explore, and get to know people on a different level. Or in different situations.  Though I gained 5 lbs over Christmas, I got to see my two and half year old nephew waving and shouting a big "Hi Thomas" to his Thomas the Train every time it went past him.  Too cute for words really. 

This year, I have made only one new years resolution. I'm not a huge fan of resolutions, but this year...I have one.  And it's to expand our family.  That is my one and only goal this year. 

It may seem out of my hands, but really, it's not.  We have been putting the breaks on adoption for various reasons.  But now that our crazy holidays are behind us we can take ownership again.  We have a couple things brewing, and I have a good feeling that by this summer, we will be even closer to that resolution.  I know 2011 will be a good year both professionally as well as for our family.  But making a resolution to push us there...well it's just the kick in the toosh we may need.