One Tiny Word

Laying in bed with Hubby last night, holding my book, and enjoying the end of a very busy day, I asked him a question.  

If you could choose one word that would be my focus for the entire year, what would it be?

I quickly followed with a disclaimer: I might not choose your word, and it cannot be sex.  We both laughed, and without much hesitation he replied, complete.  

The question of one tiny word that would guide my thoughts and my actions (give me direction) in 2011 has been on my mind for several days.  I kept coming back to the word action.  Something wasn't right about action, though.  I felt like it was too demanding, too one-sided, and would continue to perpetuate the perfectionist tendencies that I already struggle with.  I can hear my inner thoughts now: "And Action.  Get to work.  Do, do, do.  Stop being lazy.  Work ahead.  Work smarter not harder."  Ughhh. Action. Wasn't. It.

Complete.

Now this word was beginning to feel warm and fuzzy inside.  It felt as though it could take on numerous meanings throughout the year.  How does it feel to be complete?  Did I complete the goals I set out for myself?  

It is open ended.

I didn't want to box myself in to a word that I could fully predict.  I want my word and my actions to have unrealized potential.  The blessings and hardships of 2011 have yet to unfold, and I need a word with some space to grow and change.  

So, there it is.  My one word resolution.  

Complete.

Have you thought about choosing one little word to focus your thoughts and actions for this year?

Please don't forget that if your word or resolutions have anything to do with organization, budgeting, list-making, or more thorough housekeeping then my first giveaway is for you.  Click here to read about Clean Mama and her fantastic Etsy Shop!

Back In Time

We've all had moments in life that we wished would never end.  How can I freeze time, and make what is happening now last forever?

So what if time travel (with or without Michael J. Fox) became possible?  What moment would you choose to go back and relive?

I really didn't have to think.  I would want to relive the birth of Mr. Cheeks.  Ok.  Wait just a second.  Maybe not the birth.  But the moment I first met my son.  Miracle is a strong word, but bringing a child into this world is a true Miracle.

As I step out of my time machine, what would the scene of that magical moment look like?  Here are a few snapshots:

• A sense of peace and calm filled that sterile room after much angst and struggle.  Joy rushed through both Hubby and I.  And....I never thought something that looked so much like a wet hamster could bring tears to my eyes.
• Disbelief.  Is this possible?  Is Mr. Cheeks really looking back at me?  
• Ouch.  The other gift from God (i.e. epidderal) was all of a sudden missing from my life.  Where did you go friend?
• I want to show this baby to everyone!  If they (or my half numb body) would have let me run through all the halls of that Atlanta Hospital and announce this birth, I surely would have.
• Unconditional overwhelming LOVE.  It is truly undescribable the love that you feel when you have a child.  And the coolest thing?  It only grows stronger with time!

This post inspired by Mama Kat's Weekly Writer's Workshop.

Forget Mommy Guilt! Small Moments that Matter

30 minutes.  Doesn't seem long, right?  I finally had to sit down and stop.  Just. Stop.  I have recently entered the blogging world, which can be all consuming (in a very theraputic good way).  BUT, with my new friends, Twitter, Blogfrog, SITS, TMC (so many acronyms, so little time!), I find that I am less devoted to what is going on right in front of me.  You know - real life!

So today I committed a solid 30 minutes to purposefully play with my son.  Sounds weird, but not when you think of the amount of interuptions that can occur during the usual playtime.  I put away my phone, computer, dog and just played with my son.

It was one of the best moments of my week.

Read more »