This year we are trying a radical new experiment.  It's something no one in our family is used to, but we're learning.  We are saying "no" to a few extra activities this year.

Saying no is difficult under regular circumstances.  But around holiday time when so many special, once a year activities come up (especially for our daughter) we always try to do them all.  Then we wind up frazzled, exhausted, snapping at each other and ready for the rush to be over.

So this weekend, we sat down as a family and discussed the seemingly endless list of places to be and things to do.  We narrowed them down to a few things that we all want to do, and are going to let the rest go.  It's not going to be easy, but it has to happen.  Our daughter won't be living at home with us forever and we have to make time to enjoy our family now.

Don't forget that you don't have to do everything and be everything all the time.  We're refocusing this year on what's important, and I'm excited about the change.


33 days to go....