It’s a new year, and it always feels to me like a fresh start that is SO desperately needed!  Don’t get me wrong…I love the holidays and, even though Christmas can be a little overwhelming at times, it is such a wonderful time of family, faith and love.  BUT, it is nice to get into the new year and have a break! It’s like January 1st ushers in a “vacation” from all the parties, shopping, cooking, etc. that have taken up the majority of our time since Halloween!  

And this year has been particularly full for me in new ways because my daughter started Kindergarten and is in school for the first time in her life.  My husband and I are so fortunate that our moms have been able to care for our children during their “preschool” phase of life, but it made the adjustment into school life a little challenging (mostly for me)!  There are things you have to think about constantly…lunch money, teacher gifts, random dress-up-like-a-clown days, the weather…the list goes on and on! And I think most people have been eased into it through daycare, but I definitely feel I’ve been thrown into it and am just trying to keep up (I’m not whining…I know I have been completely spoiled up to this point and that is why it has been a challenge!).  But I have learned a lot this year…

I’ve learned more about the need to have a nighttime routine so that we aren’t scrambling around in the mornings.  There is nothing worse than starting your day running around like a chicken because you didn’t take 10 minutes the night before to make sure you had all your ish together! 

I’ve learned that I need a very specific place to keep the important paperwork from the school (because, I’m telling you, there are notes sent home almost daily!!!).  

I’ve learned that you need to plan ahead when it comes to school holiday parties and that flying by the seat of your pants does NOT work if you value sleep (which I do)!  Case in point: My husband and I (because I was near tears in the kitchen so he felt sorry for me and decided to help) were up until 11pm making pumpkin-shaped rice krispy treats for our daughter’s Halloween party because I didn’t plan ahead.  Ugh!

Most importantly, I’ve learned that time is so precious, and I am trying my best to make sure I am filling it with the things that matter to me and my family!  We had a great year, and I am so thankful for the experiences we had, the friendships we gained, and just the time spent together making memories.  It was not all glamorous and perfect, but it was so very full of blessings!

I’m excited for this new year and the continued growth I hope to have in my life and in my faith.  I’m so excited for this new adventure – the Our Tin House blog. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!  Happy New Year!