2014 - Love, Joy, Peace, Grace, and to Know Him Better

Over the past few years, life has been good, but harder than I once imagined it would be.  The reality of raising a larger family, with all the needs of varying ages, has surprised me.  The struggle to balance homeschooling, housework, and our commitments outside the home has grown more challenging.

Our kids are good kids, but they aren't perfect.  Almost every day has conflicts - between siblings, or between parent and child.

We choose to continue with outside commitments like church, 4-H, homeschool group, jobs for our teens, and baseball because we believe they are good for our children.  It isn't always easy, it is often hectic, but it is good.

My goals for the New Year over the past few years reflect the reality of our life.  I don't set a lot of New Year Resolutions, but I usually choose one word that is my goal and hope for the New Year.

• In 2013 I didn't really set a goal, I just wanted to SURVIVE the end of the pregnancy and the busyness of our life.
• In 2012 I just wanted my life to be full of JOY.
• For 2011, I was praying for PEACE in our home and in my heart.
• In 2010, my words for the year were REFRESH and RELAX.
• In 2009, I was just hoping to PERSEVERE through all that needed to be done.

So, what do I want for 2014?  All of it.  I want more LOVE, more JOY, more PEACE, more GRACE, and to KNOW God better.  If I lose weight again, that will be good.  If I read the whole Bible again, that will be good.  If I make more time to read, craft, blog, that will be good.  But it will be best if I live a life filled with love, joy, peace, and God.  Grace ... for myself, and for those around me. 

That would be the best year.

You can read how some of my friends are Looking Forward to a Real 2014 at these links:

2014: The Adventure Continues by Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road

2014 Prayers, Hopes, and Goals by Clara @ A Slice Of Homeschool Pie

Priorities and Goal Setting for 2014 by Kristen @ Sunrise to Sunset

A Peek into My Plans for 2014 by Jennifer @ Conversaving

Anticipating 2014 by Joelle @ Homeschooling for His Glory

A Year to Sparkle! by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds

Saying Hello to 2014 by Tess @ Circling Through This Life

2014 Already? How can that be? by Debra @ Footprints in the Butter

Goals For 2014 Homesteading & Homeschooling by Kim @Homestead Acres

Facing 2014 With Anticipation And Caution by Audra Silva @ Simply Audra Marie

Embracing Real Moments in 2014 by Cristi @ Through the Calm and Through the Storm

2014 Goals and Why We Should All Set Them by April B. @ Coffee, Cobwebs, and Curriculum


April E.