HAPPY NEW YEAR...

It's a blustery, snowy day today...good way to start the new year here in Idaho!  As much as I would like to see the sunshine, I know that we really do need to have snow to fill the reservoirs.  

I love a new year, I love that I am able to review it and maybe try to do things a little bit different.  I don't make resolutions, but I do try to pick out a word or a mantra to take me through the year, something I need to work on...this year the word is, "FOCUS".  

There will be so many good things to focus on this year!!  First and foremost, my sweet granddaughter is gong on a  mission to, New Zealand!  I am so excited for her, I can hardly wait to watch her blossom into a beautiful woman of faith and testimony!  

I also have eight other grandchildren who will be growing and experiencing life, and right before my eyes, they will be growing up, I don't want to miss a thing!  

Family is the most important thing, and the best thing for me to focus on!  As my children grow up, I realize how quickly time goes by.  I really need to step up my game, spend time with them, learn from them, but most of all soak in their goodness and love.

 My focus will also be on my relationship with my sweet husband.  There is nothing in the world that makes me happier than spending time with my husband...true love!!  But like anything worthwhile, relationships need to be nurtured and cared for, and after 45 years our love is still growing, so it still needs to be focused on and nurtured!

My faith is so important to me as well.  It's not something I talk about a lot on my blog, but I am a deeply spiritual person.  I have a deep love for my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ and this year I will be continually focusing on improving my relationship with Them.

I also love to be creative.  Over the years, somehow I have neglected this part of my life.  In November, a amazing friend of mine passed away.  She was such a light in my life and a wonderful example to me of faith, grace, kindness, service and creativity.  I miss seeing her beautiful face and wonderful smile, she was very dear to me.  Before she passed away, she taught an oil painting class, where I realized how much I missed the art and magic of being creative!  This is the picture we painted.  It's not the most beautiful painting, but it really sparked something inside of me that I need to get back to.  I have never painted with oils before and this was so much fun, I can't wait for my next project!

Part of my creativity is also my blog!  I have missed blogging, and I have missed the good friends that I have made through blogging.  Social media is something that drives me crazy, and I would like to get away from it this year.  It seems like I just get sucked into mindless scrolling, and before I know it, an hour or more has gone by and I have gained...nothing!!  Blogging is different for me, it's my journal, a way to express myself.  I know it's not as popular as it used to be, and  I don't really care, if nobody reads these posts, they are here and I can go back and relive some of the good, bad and sad things in my life, it's important for me to continue blogging, it's good for my mental health. So, you will be seeing more of me this year!

So what are you focusing on this year?  Do you make resolutions or goals?  I would love to hear about them!

Be safe, see you soon!

Hugs and Love,

Barb