2012!

It's January! 2012! And we have been out riding our bikes, walking to the mailbox, and generally enjoying the weather. It feels like March. What is going on? Is this global warming? Because I have to say that as much as these temps. creep me out (it is January in Iowa, after all), I am LOVING this.

Things I would like to accomplish in 2012?

1) Clean our master bathroom shower.
2) Meet with a lawyer and get a real will written.
3) Get my knee issue diagnosed so that I can rejoin Farrells and come up with a more regular physical routine.
4) GO ON VACATION. With hubby. And no kids. Far Away. The end.
5) Really and truly focus on being a loving wife, rather than business partner.
6) Visit Bridget and her lovely Willa. Visit Alicia in her new New Jersey home. Visit many in Minnesota. Get. Out. More.
7) Read more. Books currently on my upcoming reading list:

Mama, PhD
The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes Us Smarter
Parenting Beyond Belief: On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion
Raising Free Thinkers
The New Book of Family Tradition: How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays and Everydays
The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest
In Defense of Food

And, oh my, there are many more. But I am starting there.

Things I am so very thankful that 2011 brought me:
1) Sleep. Mike has undertaken the challenge of Gavin night-duty. So nursing has greatly diminished and for the first time in two and a half years, my body has learned to get a full night's sleep again.
2) A beautiful new home that has left me feeling settled and more at ease. It has been a joy to host family gatherings, potlucks with friends, work parties, and welcome loved ones into our home to share food and memories.
3) The feeling of brightness and happiness creeping on a more regular basis again.
4) The creation of Wisdom Circle, which picked up where Birth Circles left off, and has offered me three hours every month of rich, thought-provoking conversation about real topics with like-minded women who I have grown to cherish.
5) Saturday morning book club. Pretty much "ditto" to that last comment.
6) The village that Willowsong Midwifery has presented to me and welcomed me into, which has gradually opened up new and rich friendships for not only me, but my kids and husband, too.
7) Much more introspection about spirituality, life, and happiness than I had enjoyed in the past. With the perfect people to discuss it with.

I seem to be listing things in sevens here. Maybe seven will be my lucky number this year.

Many, many good wishes to all reading this as you approach a new year of journeys.