Three One Little Words

Oh, January. The month of renewal, of revision and reminding ourselves what goals and dreams we have for the new year.

Ali Edwards has made a practice of choosing a word – “One Little Word” – each year and making its priority word in her life. We’ve decided to make our little words official this year.

2015 will be a big year for our little blog and for our families. It will be a year full of big ambition, lots of decision making and growth.

 

Each of our words are personal, meaningful and uniquely representative of where we are at in our lives as mothers, wives, and women. What will your One Little Word be in 2015?

Sarah: We haven’t really talked about this a lot here on the blog, but my family is moving to Alaska next month, and so my little word was obvious to me: Adventure. This move was unexpected, and it’s going to be a bit of a culture shock for our kids (and who are we kidding, for me too!), but we’re excited for all of the opportunities. I think we could look at this move in a lot of different ways, but what we always say is that we’re excited for the adventure. Kids look to their parents, and I want my kids to see all of the positive aspects. Adventure is a positive word full of possibility and excitement. I’m nervous about a lot of what’s to come, but I’m definitely excited for the adventure!

p.s. Even though I’ll be on the other side of the country, I still plan on being here with you (unless Candice and Amanda get annoyed with all my moose recipes!).

Candice: I’m not a very open person when it comes to feelings, but for the next few minutes I am going to be completely honest. 2014 was kind of the worst. I think life is full of good and bad and that the up’s and down’s are important learning tools, so we can grow to be better people. But 2014 had so many downs I can barely remember what up looks like.

Dear 2014, if your goal was kicking my tush, congrats, you win! Health scares, job losses, struggles and trials, one piled on top of another led me to question my talents and abilities and put a serious strain on my mental health. I started to close myself off and fear my own intuition and ability to make good choices. And that fear and anxiety has really stopped me from moving on in a lot of ways.

So this year my word is brave.

I have to be brave and believe in myself and my abilities. And I have to be brave in facing new challenges and some life changing choices that will be coming soon. I’m hoping my little word will keep me moving forward in a positive direction.

And please, 2015, please be a little kinder and gentler on my family!

Amanda: Last year I chose “Ta-da!” as my word. Whether I was celebrating just making it to the end of the day, success – big or small – or even getting dinner on the table for my family, I had a “ta-da!” moment. I celebrated my way through a busy year. I think that the words we choose often lead us to the next word. This year I want to focus on being content. Content with my home, content with my accomplishments, content with what I have. (But content, not complacent!) Sometimes, the “want” for the newest, the better, the different is overwhelming – especially when I have amazingness surrounding me every day!  (CanIgetta amen?)

Some synonyms for content are: satisfied, fulfilled, glad, and cheerful. To me, that sounds like someone who is living their life to the fullest. Someone with that ‘je ne sais quois’ or who has ‘joie de vivre’ – someone who has a full and abundant appreciation for life and all that makes up each day.

I want to live with more JOIE in 2015. Not just joy. Not just contentment, or fullness or gladness. Give me some full on JOIE.

 

What is your word for 2015? We’d love to know and to share in your journey this year!