2016 word of the year: smile

A couple of years ago was the first time I ever really set some year-long goals for myself, but they were kind of half-hearted. This year, I decided to really set some specific goals for myself. Most of them are spiritually geared (attend the temple with Andrew at least once a month, do my Visiting Teaching every month, read my scriptures every day, etc.) and then there are a couple pertaining to this blog along with a couple others. I'm pretty excited about the goals I have and feel like I've made a workable plan that will enable me to accomplish them.

But last year, I came up with a word for the year, which was Toddlerance. I liked having a word for the year because I felt like it was the base that I could create new goals on throughout the year. So, this year, I've chosen the word:

I'm anticipating some frazzled-ness and impatience in the near future. If adding another child this year is anything like adding Alexa in 2014... well, I'm going to need this reminder.

To me, this word means, more than anything, to not take things too seriously. For instance...

If my family appears to be the only one with kiddos misbehaving in church, I want to smile and remind myself that 1) it's probably not true and 2) if it is true, I'll just assume that everybody else out there gets it, and we'll do better next week.

Or, if we're at home and one of my kiddos is throwing a tantrum because of this or that, or has wet themselves or made some kind of mess, smile to myself, maybe sigh, and say in my brain "oh children." Maybe I'll even laugh a little bit if I get really good at it.

I'm really looking forward to this new year. I feel like I've made some totally reasonable and reachable goals for myself, which makes me feel like I can take on the world. It's good feeling.

As for the more "short-sighted" goals, I'm getting pretty excited about this baby boy to arrive! My mom-in-law gave us one of those gauze swaddle blankets for Christmas and told me that she made it. So, naturally, I asked her where I could buy some of the right fabric (quilt shops!) so I could make a backup. I worked on it today and I am LOVING IT! It's really simple, but I'm kind of a minimalist with these things anyway. Here's a little sneak peek.

^^you know I'm a sucker for pom poms!^^

... Oh alright! I simply can't resist posting another, more sneaky peek!

I'm pretty sure I'm going to make another one. You know, so I can have a couple of backups? You just never know how messy these kiddos will be!

Anyway, have any of you come up with some resolutions and/or a word for this year? What's your word?

Thanks for stopping by! See you again soon, and don't forget to smile. :)