Spoonful of Imagination

Add it to a Family for Something Beautiful

New Year and NOT a New Me.

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Friends,

We did it. That week after Christmas when no one knows when it is and all the schedules are off in beautiful, messy ways. We did it.

It’s during this week between years that Matt and I traditionally go away for a weekend to process out the highs, lows, and complexities of the past year and dream/plan for the new year. This year, I will not forget sitting over tacos (and breaking my “low-histamine-only-foods” diet) crying about how 2023 was actually harder than my 2022. 

All the hopes for my new work, getting healthier habits, and being more present at home took me literally ALL year to make wake in.

  • Selling a course turned out not to be fulfilling work for me.
  • The stress of running a studio had taken more of a toll on my mind and body than I had given credit to. It was an untangling mess to sort.
  • My mind, work and time could not figure out the balance of fulfilling work + helping to pay for 3 kids in braces, a third car, and teens on our car insurance.

I knew I had closed our studio to be more present at home, yet I didn’t know how hard the mix of everything all together would be. 2023 was a doozy.

So, when I hear the phrase “new year, new me,” it kind of makes my skin crawl. I don’t want to be a new me. I don’t want to start over. Last year was hard, but I dug deep and I just want to continue the work.

Can you relate?

I want you to know that YOU are enough. Just as you are! Right here and right now… you are alive, breathing and a one of a kind masterpiece.

This year, at our goal planning weekend, was the first time in all our years of marriage that I had no business goals. No launching a store, studio, subscription kits, courses or workshops like there has always been in the past. It was really freeing.

What we all need is to feel confident that we have something to offer right now. It may just be a smile, a little extra kindness, the initiative to reach out, and be a connecting force to show others they matter too. I know I can do that without big business goals. I just need to show up as me. I will be sharing little one minute videos over on YouTube as daily doses of my imagination. This is just for fun, and if you need a little inspiration, I welcome you to follow along.

If you need a reminder, that you can keep going, with where you are in your journey too, I will be launching my “YOU” collection this Saturday in the shop. The pieces have been created to remind you and those you love that YOU MATTER. This is our year to continue to play, rest, heal, and grow. Cheering you on always.

In it with you,
Erica

Goodbye 2014

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2014

Have you ever been sad about a year being over? I’m not sure I have, until this year. 2014 was a big year for our little family.

I know I have so much to catch you up on and I can’t wait to do just that. Logging in to write this post made me smile. I have missed you all. We moved and have been unpacking and traveling to see family for Christmas. It’s been crazy busy, as I’m sure your holiday season has been as well. There are lots of things ahead that I am excited about. I can’t wait to get back into our school routine, making this house our home, slowing down this pace of life, hanging with new friends, traveling to see family, and so much more.

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In all the excitement, I can’t help but be a little sad that such a special year is over. 2014 was a year our family embarked on new ways of life together. We became a foster family and experienced the love of Christ in a new way as we poured into the little lives in our home. One little boy stole our hearts, and we are finding the term family means more than who we share blood with or who lives under our roof. We found Jesus in a new, fresh way. We found ourselves desperate for a Savior and needed him to fill us with a strength, peace, and love that only he could.

As a family we had lots of milestones. One of the biggest is we moved from Georgia to Indiana to follow a path we feel Jesus has set before us. We sold a house, moved, bought another house, changed jobs, started new jobs, said goodbye to family and friends, and started putting ourselves out there in a new community.

Our baby is about to turn four and is no longer a baby. We gave away the rest of our baby gear in the move which ended a chapter in our lives as the baby days are behind us. Our oldest is a fabulous reader and loves sports. (He’s planning on being the next Julio Jones) Our second learned to swim and ride a bike without training wheels. All three kids just seem to have grown up.

As I reflect on all the changes, I remember my word for the year was SHINE. It was constantly in the back of my mind. I did not do it perfectly, but I feel like I kept trying to empty myself and shine a love much greater than mine. It was a special year and one that has marked our family. Although the year is over, I know that word will carry with me for a lifetime. It’s a lifestyle that I want to try to always live.

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2014 is over, but I know God is just beginning something new with us. Although I am a little sad to see it go, I am excited to think about what 2015 will hold. We are in a new state, town, church, and neighborhood. We have each other and are following a calling and are on a path created for us. We are so blessed.

In a season of lots of change, I don’t want to lose that calming voice that speaks to my soul. I need Jesus just as much now as ever before.

My new word for this coming year is QUIET.

To be a better mom, I need to get up while the house is still QUIET.

To be a better friend and wife, I need to be a better listener. If I talk a little less and be a little more QUIET, I will hear more of those I love dearly.

My anxious heart is always thinking of the next thing, and I just want to whisper to it-be QUIET. Be present where you are in person as well as in your mind.

I want to hear that still small voice of my Savior in my heart, so I will find ways to be QUIET to hear him more loudly than ever.

In all the noise and pulls of my heart, I want to remember what is important and what matters most. I need to QUIET some distractions and learn some balance.

My heart soars when I get outdoors in nature and just be QUIET and enjoy the creation of the master creator. I need to do that more.

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I’m excited to start thinking through my days with this little word running through my head. Do you come up with goals or new years resolutions? Do you have one little word that you use for your year too? I would love to hear what it is! Please leave me a comment. Change can be hard, but it is also exciting to think that everyday we can learn and grow and be a new and better version of ourselves, if we are just open to it. I have some ideas that I can’t wait to start implementing to help me break habits and have a more quiet heart. Let’s encourage one another and those around us to use our imaginations and not give up on ourselves or those around us. 2015 will be great!

Thank you so much for walking this journey with me! I am so excited to continue to share our story with you as well as my creations in 2015. I’m sure it will be as crazy and exciting as ever!

Ps. I will slowly be filling my store back up with my creations. If you are interested in this hoop, I just listed it here. Thank you for all your support!

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