Let's Celebrate Shiny Happy People Laughing!

It's time to CELEBRATE This Week with Ruth Ayres from Discover. Play. Build.  Every week Ruth invites us to share our celebrations from the week and link up at her blog. What a fun way to reflect on everything there is to be thankful for. 

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This week I'm celebrating shiny happy people laughing!

*throws confetti*

This is my family. I'm so happy to see the shiny happy people laughing in this picture. 

I want to cheer We've made it! Hooray for us and 2014!

The last two weeks have been stressful. Partly it's just this time of year but we've also all taken turns being sick with colds and/or the flu. I'm so thankful that we're mostly better now! (I'm still waiting for my voice to come back...)

Looking back at this entire year, there have been all sorts of ups and downs along the way. We're still adjusting to what it means for me to be in a job that involves long hours and is an hour away. This is my third year in a position like this but it's still hard to get used to not being as home as much as I would like.  Believe it or not, we're also still adjusting to what it means to have a seven-year-old and a four-year-old in our house. I have no idea where the time went! Suddenly my sweet toddler and baby are both kids with so many thoughts and opinions and the ability to express themselves and talk through them all. It's fascinating how our family dynamics have changed as the boys get older. And I'm also adjusting - or maybe accepting is a better word - what it means to truly not have enough time in the day for all the things I want to accomplish. I'm a pretty driven person. I love to set goals and make plans to get there but I've had to adjust and be realistic so that I don't disappoint myself but also so that I can still get things done without going overboard. It means saying no to some things...or no for now...and that's not always easy. My One Little Word for 2014 was patience and it was a good reminder that sometimes saying not doesn't mean never. Instead it might mean that I need to be patient and wait until another time.

Despite all the messiness this year, I'm here. Shiny and happy and laughing along with my guys. I truly do want to cheer, but also sigh in overwhelming relief. I'm looking forward to 2015 and to what it might bring my way but to prolong the 2014 celebration a bit, here's REM singing Shiny Happy People. Feel free to dance along!

What are you celebrating this week?