Happy New Year!

I love this time of year!  It truly does feel like a new year in September.  Even when my kids weren't in school there is a sense of 'renewal' in September.  Perhaps is stems from when I was in school, the possibility of new classes, making new friends, maybe even new roommates...it is that time of year when you can 'throw off' the old person (or at least the parts you don't like) and start fresh. 

And so it is with this year. The past week has been full of 'hustle and bustle,' and the poor baby can't seem to find a calm moment to take a nap when I wasn't about the go another place to another store or appointment or to take someone to just one last playdate before the summer ended. I met teachers, roamed school hallways, practiced walking to school with Maire, cheered as Elizabeth opened her locker and bought gym clothes for the first time. 

But as this craziness merges into the craziness that is 'the first week of school' I get to create and keep NEW goals of how I am going to help the girls keep on top of all their work this year; how I am going to take time to talk with each of them on their own throughout the week; how I am going to get up before they do and be dressed and ready to greet them and get them out the door; and most of all  I am going to prepare for Stake Conference, the General RS Broadcast, and General Conference. 

This past year (Sept 2010-Aug 2011) has been such a physically draining year.  I was so sick for the first part of my pregnancy and very tired the rest.  Getting up in the morning was always a chore (and it still is with a nursing baby).  When the baby came, still I was drained.  But, I am just now starting to feel the 'drag' and 'weight' lifted and energy enter my body and mind.   I am  so thankful for another opportunity to start again and refresh my life.  I am thankful for the start of school so that my energy coincides with opportunities to meet new people and make a good first impression after 12 months of making a 'dead mommy' first impression.  And, I am thankful for my Savior because it is only through His atonement that fresh starts are even possible.  I can feel the Holy Ghost pushing me out of my slump and reminding me what it is like to have energy and to seek to improve and do more, do better than I did before.  That feeling is exciting. 

What a great way to start off a NEW YEAR!