It's totally tradition now

You'll be happy to know that things are looking up here at our house. I've actually gotten back on the normal getting dressed/undressed schedule for a couple of days now. A break in the routine is good, but the familiarity of a schedule is always nice.

I have noticed a recurring theme in blogland lately, and honestly, I hesitate to even say anything about it because I don't want to sound redundant. I posted about this same thing last year about this time, but I've never let redundant stop me before, so why change now?

The buzz in blogland seems to be "stopping". No, Cindy, not menopause, resting. Ceasing. Sure, there's a lot out there about excercising, eating healthy, organizing, and getting out of debt, but I've seen a lot about being tired and needing rest. Or needing rest, not getting it, and ending up sick.

Last January I began a ritual that I fell in love with, so much so, that I'm repeating it this January. In our house, the month of January is designated as The Month of Rest. A sabbatical. . . taking a step back . . . regrouping . . . call it what you will, we call it rest. After the Chaos Season, ahem, excuse me, I mean the Christmas Season, and the bedlam that always comes with the start of a new school year, we've pretty much been going non-stop since mid August. My favorite thing about ringing in the new year is the promise that it will all cease, at least for a month.

In January, I spend most of my days at home. I catch up on a few chores, but that isn't my main focus. I do lots of cooking and baking. I do what I can to make the dinner hour special. I want everyone in my house to remember what it feels like to reconnect over a shared meal. I want to make the drive-thru, grab it when you can meals a distant memory.

In January, I take the time to do extra projects with the kids. We play games, work puzzles, and watch movies together. We make popcorn and cookies and crafts. We color and cut and glue and pretend. I try, really hard, to limit the times I say, "I can't right now".

In January, I give myself permission to be lazy. It's cold outside, so we warm up inside. We snuggle on the couch and drink hot chocolate while the girls watch their favorite Noggin show. I sleep a little later, and put the kids to bed a little earlier. I enjoy my home. I sit in my favorite chair and read a good book. I allow myself to enjoy time blogging or scrapbooking instead of feeling the guilt of unfinished laundry or dishes.

In January, I take a break from packing the calendar. I say no, reschedule, and trade duty times. I make sure we're home more nights than we're busy. I make sure that when we are busy, it's for the good of our family.

In January, I take a deep breath and reconnect with my Father. I pray and listen and rest in his arms. I remember that relationship is what I truly crave from Him and not just rescue. I search my soul and find places I haven't completely given over to Him. I ask for direction and guidance and wisdom to face the year ahead.

Since January 2007 ended I haven't stopped looking forward to January 2008. Happy New Year! has a different meaning to me. And I love it. And it's totally tradition now.