Needing to Breathe

I’ve been absent. Almost three months now.  At first, it wasn’t intentional, I got busy.  My postings became fewer and farther in-between and then, they just stopped.  I still had all these wonderful posts in my head, but just not the right platform. 

Over the last six months, I have been contemplating what direction I’ve wanted to go with my blog.  I know so many of you are thoroughly interested by the everyday comings and goings of my family, but really, I am much more than that. 

There are thousands upon thousands of blogs out there about everything.  I want something to set me apart, just a little, yet a place I can still ramble {or brag} about the Man and our kids {after all I am still a wife and mother}.

Ideas have been formulating in my head and are gradually making it to paper {virtual paper that is}.  Don’t give up on me. 

Stay tuned. 

In the next coming weeks I will be changing things up, just a little bit.  Hopefully I’ll be intriguing, more than ever and entertain my readers as well as give my haters more to gossip about. {I’m just that edgy} Ha who am I kidding?!  Seriously, keep watching for a new and improved blog coming your way.

Happy Birthday to my Angel

Today Abigail turns 12.  This is the last year before she is officially a teenager.  She is growing into a beautiful, young lady.  We are very proud of her!

Happy Birthday Abigail!!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy New Year

Happy 2013 from The Norton Bunch!!

Go out and make this a good one!

Have You Had a Revelation?

As I sat down to write the typical New Year's Resolution post, I started by reading the post I wrote from last year.  {You can read it here.}  I was amazed at how my resolutions haven't changed.  I'm sure if I compared the past 5 years worth of resolutions, I would realize they are all the same.  Eat cleaner, add more fitness, less time wasters {I can keep going if you'd like}.  It was at this point that I came to an understanding as to why The Man never makes resolutions.

With this information, I pondered what to do.  Do I continue making the same goals each year, only to remake them the following year?  Why can't I make a change and stick with it?  Is there something wrong with me?  Then it hit me, my Revelation. {insert an angelic "AHHHHHHHH"}  I put unrealistic, unattainable constraints on myself and when real life happens, all my resolutions go out the window.  So why keep doing this to myself?!  I'm not {that's my revelation}.

I want to make habit forming, life changing goals.  On January 1st, I will make a short list of realistic, attainable goals and in 4 weeks, I will re-evaluate them.  What goals have been accomplished and which ones I need to continue working towards and then set new goals.  I am breaking the chain of procrastination, failure, and just plain giving up and choosing to change my destiny.  I am ready to live the life that God has set before me. {so bring it on}

When you make your resolutions or set goals for 2013, remember life is a journey.  Each day is a new day, you get a clean, fresh slate.  Embrace it, accept it and conquer it!

So good bye 2012 and cheers to 2013!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from the Norton Family!!

We wish all our friends, family and readers 

a very Merry Christmas!  

The Norton's

Merry Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve to all my readers.

A tradition in our house is every Christmas Eve the kids unwrap Christmas jammies.  Even as the children grow older, this is a tradition they eagerly look forward to.  They anticipate the time when they finally get to unwrap them.

This year I opted to sew them {make them with love}.  My sister and I spent two days sewing and stitching, laughing and crying {more like cursing}.  We made it through and it was well worth it!  The jammies went over better than I expect and the kids were overjoyed. {even the eldest man child was happy}

All in all, I made 8 pairs.  I made myself 2 pairs...these were my favorite.

Here is the happiest of them all.  He could not wait to put his jammies on.  He ran straight to his room to change.

 
We added a new tradition this year...normally we drive around during the Christmas season and look at all the light displays.  We drink hot chocolate and listen to Christmas music or sing Christmas carols.  This year the timing didn't quite work out for us to go beforehand, so we piled into the car {Christmas jammies and all) and headed out.  My sister and her family recently visited The Huseman Family light display here in Tampa {if you are a local, make sure you check it out.  It was pretty cool.  Click Here for more Info.} We listened to Christmas music and ate candy canes.  What a great ending to a wonderful day.

What Christmas Eve traditions does your family enjoy?