I love new beginnings. I also love Anne Of Green Gables. “‘Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?’” That little redhead had a lot of good sense.
2013 starts off a year of transitions for me and I am pausing to take a bit of a break and restructure our days so that there is better balance, with the scales weighted heavily on home and motherhood and family and less on internet.
I spent four months reading The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child’s Heart for Eternity by Sally Clarkson. Four months, y’all. I can read a book in an afternoon but it was so weighty that I read it in small increments, stopping to ponder and absorb the great amount of truths I found in it. Then I’d hop on the counter while Jeff cut carrots for salads and fill the kitchen with chatter of my heart’s desires and how to connect them to our daily life.
The answer was always less time here and more time here, in the rooms that are absent of a keyboard.
“But I love to write” I would say, brow furrowed in frustration. Because also, I am so lucky to be able to.
I just need to better balance.
Which means making some changes, setting different goals, transitioning to new routines.
Because now I have a two year old and that means my days are filled with painting and learning letters and gymnastics and trying to keep her from splitting her head open (again.) With attempting to get glitter off of the couch and digging playdough out of the crevices in the table and trying to persuade her to eat a bite of something, ANYTHING. With an extra load of laundry because bibs no longer cut it and only one stretch of naptime (if I’m lucky.)
These are the days that years of infertility made feel like a distant dream and now I am living in them, with the knowledge that as a one child family, they will never come again. These are the days of your children’s childhood that people tell you to enjoy, because it goes by so fast.
For every thing there is a season and I don’t want to miss this one behind a screen.
So I stepped down from a few online commitments. I took on less assignments for the new year. I set some social media limits. I gave myself permission to not do Project Life. I said no to a design team offer. And I decided to write more, although perhaps a little less for this particular space and a little lot more to ink the pages of that book I’ve never been brave enough to attempt.
Today I just wanted to embrace the idea of starting fresh, and the goal of making 2013 something beautiful by experience rather than obsessive documentation. Because for me, this is where my heart’s desire leads.
Happy New Year ♥ ♥ ♥
“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies are new every morning” – Lamentations 3:23
About Kayla Aimee
You definitely have to do what your heart tells you to do. While “we” enjoy you sharing your life and Scarlette with us, the most important thing is that your life is in balance and that you enjoy this life. Documenting life is important but I believe there too it has to be part of the balance. Sometimes we get so caught up in the documenting and caputuring of life that we forget to enjoy what is going on around us. I look forward to reading the first book you write.
I’m so proud of you girl! You are a rockstar and your baby needs you more than your readers need you. I can’t wait to see what inked paper you write on and the topics you do write about too. Love ya!
you have a two year old!!! how amazing is that! experience away my friend and Happy New Year!!
Go and write that book, enjoy your two year old and enjoy being home with her and all the new experiences you all have awaiting you. I too will look forward to reading what your book and I agree that “We” will miss your frequent updates but that “We” also understand and will pray for you and your family as always hoping that you all find what you need to fulfill your hearts to overflowing – God Bless you and thank you for all that you have said in this space to us all – we’ll be waiting for more when your time allows!
Always do what God writes in your heart!
Good for you, KA! That sounds like a totally cheesy thing to say, but I really mean it–I am always so happy to see people doing the things that are best and most nourishing for them. I am excited to hear about your plans for the year and so inspired by your example to focus on what is really important, on what we only get to experience once. I will certainly miss your hilarious posts and adorable baby pictures, but I’ll be even happier knowing that you’re doing what is right for you and your family. Blessings and happy new year!
I just realized I hadn’t gotten an update in several days (it seemed like longer) and rushed right over to see what the what might be going on. OH! You just want to spend more time with your adorbs miracle baby … and other really meanful stuff? The nerve. LOL
Famous last words: “I regret not spending more time on the internet.” -Said no one ever.
About that book: your writing is wonderful and I’m sure whatever it is or turns out to be will be awesome. I don’t think you should worry about being “brave enough”. Creating something with your heart and soul doesn’t really require bravery, it just requires doing. After that, whatever is meant to be, will be. As they say … just do it.
Happy New Year and Happy New Beginnings!!! xoxo
You will never ever regret this decision. No amount of money will buy back the time you get to spend with your beautiful baby girl. Your writing talent will be there after this season of life. So go enjoy your baby girl to your heart’s content–because you GET TO!!
Regardless of how often you post here, on FB, on Twitter… I will be here to read it! You have a gift that you’ve spent two years sharing with us and her name is Scarlette. While we’re going to miss daily updates, I can guarantee we’ll be here whenever Google Reader says you posted something… And we’ll be buying that book as soon as it’s published!!!
Happy 2013 KA! Scarlette looks so happy and adorable in these pictures! I am not surprised though, you know what Anne says, it is ever so much easier to be good if your clothes are fashionable.
Boy do I understand that! And I am so happy for you! I hope many, many more people make the same choices. However; with that being said, I MUST SEE PICTURES OF SCARLETT SO I’M GLAD YOU’RE NOT SHUTTING DOWN THE BLOG! Sorry, got a little excited there, lol! Mother hood is the best, gotta make sure to enjoy it!
Good for you! I think that is very wise! I would like to use the word no more often this year too. To slow down and calm down. Becca
Wishing you all the best for you and your family in 2013. Love the Anne of Green Gables quote.