Thursday, January 2

Thankful for the year that was and the year to come

Hello and welcome to the very first Thankful Thursday for 2014. I just know that this year will be full of awesome and plenty to be thankful for. I look forward to sharing my joy with you and am beyond thankful that you have decided to come along for the ride.

Looking for the bright side amongst the darkest clouds is just in built into my nature. And while it might not come naturally to us all I do honestly believe that if you stop to think for a moment or two, you can find a reason not to be blue.

Beautiful sunflower
image from here
There is little brighter than a sunflower
While 2013 was not my most spectacular year it was by no means anything to shy away from either. In fact if I am really honest there were some parts of the year that I am super thankful to have experienced.

Like getting on a plane and traveling interstate ALL BY MYSELF. In March I totally threw caution into the wind, abandoned the kids and did something that benefited no one else in the family. Attending my first blogging conference was something I was thankful for all year long.

As much as I may have struggled at times (both before, after and during the event) I really am glad I didn't sit at home wondering  what it would like to be there like I did the year before. Sadly I doubt that I will make it to DPCON14 but I am pretty ok with that. Well I have a few months to make myself pretty ok with that.

Other exciting bloggy opportunities presented themselves the whole year through. I think though the one I am most thankful for is being able to spend a few hours with Samuel Johnson and the Love Your Sister crew. Having said that though I must admit that I was pretty thankful that Miss Cinders asked yours truly to babysit Things I Know while she had a little break and even more thankful that Francessa passed on this little old Thankful Thursday linky.

But enough reminiscing of the year that was, because let's face it I have probably done more than enough of that the last few days.

Fast forwarding to the current moment and I could not be more thankful for all the blissful family moments we have had over the last day or two.

On New Years Eve we treated ourselves to a trip to the movies and dinner. And even though the restaurant was closed and we just ended having popcorn and lollies for dinner there was so much love and laughter our bellies were more than full.

I am so thankful not just for having such wonderful children and husband but being able to go out and have a night out with them as well. I know for so many families that is just not a feasible option. And I must admit it is only a feasible option for us once in a blue moon which does help to make it all that little bit more special.

Heading home to watch fire works on TV and play a new card game from Christmas with Zany was not just the perfect way to end the night but also the year. I am so thankful that the pressure to go out and get blotto to see the new year in is now so many years behind me.

New Years Day was greeted with a sleep ins for everyone and a lazy morning to boot. I started to beat myself about not doing this and not doing that but then remembered I had made no real resolution to anything so there was no point getting worked up. I am thankful that I let myself off the hook at times. I am even more thankful for making sure I got most of the jobs out of the way the day before so that I could enjoy that time guilt free.

So on this second day of the new year, what are you thankful for?





 photo fwbksignature_zps702ebc7d.jpg

*editor's note*
For some reason when I originally posted this post it got a broken code somewhere and mucked up all kinds of things. I have been able to get the post back without it mucking up the blog anymore but the comments are another thing altogether. Apologies to all who left a comment I will see if I can work it out at a later date.

*editors new note*
Oh yeah! All sorted baby. Will blog it all out someday

16 comments:

  1. Happy 2014. You have created some great memories for the past year. I think it's important as a mum to take time occasionally to 'refuel' yourself. I know it's hard to do without guilt ( and sometimes impossible to do at all) but you do bring back a refreshed mum and that's great for everyone. Parenting has been the hardest thing I have ever done ( and it's lifelong once you commit as you know) but like anything hard the rewards are so amazing. I have fond memories of celebrating New Years Eve as you did, as a child myself and as a parent. Now my kids are grown ups ( 22 and 24) I love that at midnight they will still text from wherever they are to make that new year contact and that connection of us always brings a tear of joy to my eye. For my family I am always thankful, like you :) xx

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    1. Happy 2014 to you as well lovely. You are so right about the importance of looking after ourselves and every now and then throwing caution to the wind and saying screw I am doing it just for me!

      Thanks for stopping by and joining in

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  2. Happy new year, bonus points for you for jumping straight back into things. A sleep in on New Years day is TRULY something to be thankful for!

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    1. Oh it really was a blessing that sleep in. Zany (7) is normally up before the crack of dawn so it was great to see the sun beat her for a change!

      thanks for swinging by and joining in lovely

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  3. This post if perfect Rhianna. Such joy can be felt from it. So great you got to do something just for you with the conference. Wishing you well for 2014. x

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    1. Thanks lovely the conference really was an amazing time, so glad I made it happen. Wishing you well for the new year and so pleased to have you on board again this week

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  4. Never be sorry about a sleep in! Your New Years sounds fabulous, what better than lollies and popcorn lol. I'll come to DPCON15 with you, I've always wanted to go one and like you this year is out of the question and thats okay. Hope you have a lovely thankful thursday, I'm running around like a mad hatter today trying to get organised for our road trip to Perth tomorrow but a post is very close to the top of my list of things to do :)

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    1. Road sounds like fun! Safe travels my dear and 2015 could very well be on. Mind you I haven't ruled out other bloggy conferences for the year, just this one.

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  5. Happy New Year!! Wishing you all the best for 2014!! I got a sleep in until 5.55am on new years day, I was thankful for that!!

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    1. Thanks Ann and right back at you with the well wishes for the new year. Isn't it funny what we consider a sleep in these days?

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  6. Happy New Year Rhianna, your New Year sounded perfect. We gathered with a few friends and went crazy with sparklers. Really I would have been just as happy to leave early and do what we call an Eastern States New Years (9pm finish as we live in WA) and gather my book and read in bed, the Christmas activities have left me exhausted. Rae xxx

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    1. Thanks Rae, and it really was just so enjoyable. Too funny about the Eastern States NY. It certainly has been a busy time

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  7. We escaped sans kiddies for my birthday on Dec 30 too, like you it's a very rare occurrence in our house too so it was a great chance to recharge thr relationship batteries - even if hubby did fall asleep at the table!

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    1. Oh no for poor hubby being so tired! Glad you had a special time for your birthday though

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  8. What a great year you've had and it's going to be another great year ahead. I finally managed to blog a thankful post on a Thursday!

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    1. Yay!!! Thanks so much for joining lovely, wonderful to have you along. Wishing you all the best for the new year

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Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you, thanks for stopping by, it really means a lot, you taking the time so say hi. I try as much as I can to write a reply but if for some chance I don't get to it please know that I always read them.