HAPPY New Year!

I just wanted to write a little post to ring in the New Year (10 days later)! We had a wonderful Christmas! We spent our vacation at home enjoying the holidays and each other. James was home from work more than he has been able to in a long time and we stayed in our pj's, ate yummy food, watched Ninja Turtles and built Lego sets. This incredible feeling of peace and happiness has settled over me lately. I have realized that I have absolutely everything I need plus way, way more. As of this moment there is nothing lacking, that is a good feeling!
I was reading my New Years post from last year and wanted to give an update on how I did with those goals I set. Take more pictures: I think I did better! I definitely have more pictures this year! Get Avery potty trained: To this I say Hallelujah!!! I can't believe it actually happened! It took nearly all year but it did happen! She was struggling so badly with her fear of pooping on the potty. I was getting so frustrated and worried and upset for her. We tried so many things and just tried to have patience with it. Then in October I ordered some books. Scared to Poop, this one was for me. It Hurts When I Poop! A story for children who are afraid to use the potty, and I Can't I Won't No Way! A book for children who refuse to poop. Scared to poop gave clear, very blunt instructions on how to help your child over come this issue and we put them into action. The other two books I read to her several times a day. These books told her story absolutely perfectly and told her it was ok to have this problem and gave ideas on how to overcome it. The DAY AFTER we got those books, she sat on the potty and pooped! And she has been pooping ever since! It is such a huge relief and I am sooo happy for her!
Be more patient and calm: This was definitely going to be the hardest for me, but I am improving. I am realizing that everything in my life is really really good and I don't need to be anxious or worried about the little things. This is my goal for this year to keep calm and enjoy life!
I have been living in the moment and enjoying the happiness of my everyday life. Maybe to some people my life looks really boring and uneventful but to me it is all I ever wanted. Enjoy some pictures from the end of 2013 and hopefully I will be better about blogging this year! yeah right!