Thinking about another year

Name:  Signe Schumaker
Age: 43
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Food: Coffee which is technically not a food, but really if I had to live on one thing that would be it.  French fries, if it is something that must be chewed.

Favorite Activity:  Reading, not that you would know it by hours logged in said activity, that would be cleaning the kitchen or laundry.  Activity that I wish was my favorite, skiing.

Favorite Book:  Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset, although Notes from the Tilt a'Whirl by N.D. Wilson should be read once a year.  While I'm thinking about it I should make a list of 52 books I'd like to "read" this year.

Highlights of 2012

Greatest Lesson Learned.

Love is a more powerful motivator than fear.  When my children were all little it was easy to love them up with snuggles and physical needs being met promptly.  When discipline was required it was in a context of love.  I have been stuck in a mode of threatening consequences to motivate instead of rewarding the positive.  As my children get older, and especially with my children that I was not able to love as little ones, I need to give more praise.  I need to reward the positive things done, and let them suffer consequences for negative behavior.  I need to thank them when they do the things that I want to see more of.  I need to build them up without criticizing every weakness.  Hugs, smiles, positive words, go a long way in a teenager's life.

Hardest thing of the year.

Working part time outside of our home.  Getting my routine down with less time focused at home has been hard.

Favorite Memory.

My Dad doing the Tiger-Tri with Madie and Brook.

What I loved most about 2012.

Watching my children grow into adults.  We got our first 18 year old this year.  Seeing her think about who she is and what she wants to do with her life is thrilling.  Brook has discovered some things that she loves to do, and is gaining more independence all the time.  Each of the children is growing in their own ways.  They are all still at home, so I get to be in the thick of it.  I know that these are the best years of my life.

Looking Ahead to 2013

Want to Learn.

The meaning of sabbath rest.  I am a worker by nature.  I know that God requires rest, and that it is for our good.  It is hard for me to wrap my mind around resting in the Lord, and being productive in the life he has given me.  I want to learn more about that this year.

Want to get better at.

Being with people.  Being able to listen and observe without constantly having to be doing something.  I want to be a better student of the people that God puts around me.

Biggest Goal.

Know God better.  I want to pursue him in his word.  I want to study his word more, and to watch for his work all around me.  I want to see him in every detail of my life, and in my children's lives as well.  I want to clear out distractions and focus on him.