simplify.

my one word for this year is simplify.

sounds easy enough, right? thats what i thought too. its been 2 years since we made the big move. life in moab sometimes seems so different than salt lake.

i can go to the store in my pj's or work out clothes and i pretty much blend in with everyone else who has been on a camping trip for 10 days with no shower. there is no walmart, and im still sometimes floored by how expensive our grocery store is. (especially during the tourist season) so if i need to go to walmart, the craft store, or go browse around at target, its a 3 hour round trip to the nearest big town. and... when my washer broke (the one that is under warranty) they had to send someone out of the next big town. and that was a 2 week wait. thankfully, my mama is close by. ;)

but even with all that, i find that busy-ness sneaking in. its creeping up on me by how many activities i allow my children to be involved in. they are all good, right? but sometimes too much of a good thing is not so good. other distractions? my dang phone. we all love our smartphones. but what i've noticed is that when a text comes through... i go straight to my phone. what do i do when im waiting in line at the dmv? admittedly, i pull out my phone. what are my instagram friends doing?

i need to put down the distractions. i need to say no. would my children benefit from being in cheer camp, soccer, choir and swim? sure. but not at the same time.

its time for me to gather my little ones and make our life happen. the one that i know is important. not the roller coaster i seem to get on without realizing it.

this year, i want to:
* teach aly and amy to sew their own quilt. quilts we will use when we travel and explore the great outdoors.
* teach them to stitch these. (they are so eager to learn to sew. i need to move on that before its too late!)
* do preschool with ava. nothing big. or elaborate. but just time with her. to teach her little things. but more... to make memories with her... and have that quality time.
* explore the great outdoors! there are so many places - both close and far. we cant wait to get out and hike!
* take more time to create. photography, sewing, decorating... creativity feeds my soul.
* teach my children to work hard. this year- we have plans for a garden (i have no idea what im doing) and... chickens!

ps. i found this article last night... it talks about being busy... and it nailed it!