A Brand New Year

A Brand New Year....

           
                The Same Ol'e Me...Only Better!

I fully recognize just how lucky I am...

sometimes my lens gets a little foggy 

as I cloud it with stressors or desires for material items. 

Still I see and appreciate all that I have and all that is good!

My husband is my rock! 

My support! 

He is handsome, charming, 

and has the unbelievable ability to make me laugh 

when I am feeling my most frustrated!

My two children are my inspiration! 

They are kind and smart and affectionate. 

They inspire me to be better at everything!

I am lucky to have 2…well 3 amazing sisters! 

Bernadette has and will always be a sister to me! 

My sisters and I are extremely different from each other 

in so many ways and still have relationships that are 

unbreakable and invaluable!

My parents…well, it's hard to find words for them! 

They are incredible role models for marriage, love, 

friendship, faith, communication, work ethic, 

parenting, generosity, and family. 

I love them and appreciate everything they've given me!

Domenic’s parents have never treated me like an “in-law.” 

I’ve always felt part of the family. 

They provide unmeasurable support and love 

for both Domenic and I and for Luke and Nicholas. 

They are wonderful parents and amazing grandparents.

We are blessed with wonderful friends and family members. Some we see often and many we see only once in a while. Friends and family are invaluable and special 

and we could never live without them.

We have jobs that allow us to do what we love! 

Teach! 

We work with kids and there is no better job on the planet. 

It’s not always easy. 

It’s not always fun! 

There are days where we’d prefer not to go.

But it’s the world’s best job!

We have our health!

There are no words to describe how valuable that is!

Still….

There are always areas for improvement!



This year is going to be excited

(and maybe a little terrifying)!

This year we will be welcoming 

a little brother or sister for Luke and Nicholas!

WE ARE HAVING ANOTHER BABY!

Baby Mingacci will be joining us this summer!



Definitely a little terrifying.

Man to man is out the window

and we need to operate in a zone!

So with a new year, 
with many expected and surely unexpected 
twists, turns and suprises....

We set goals for ourselves!

This year, I have many goals!

Some will be easier to keep than others!

And some will be easier to measure than others!

1. This year I want to simplify....in every way!

    I want to simplify in "stuff" and learn to trash things I don't  

    need, don't use, or don't make me happy!

   

    I want to simplify my calendar. I want to learn to say yes to  

    things I am most excited about or know are most 

    meaningful to the people I care for most....and learn to say 

    no when I know I just need a break.

    I want to simplify my stressors. (Sounds pretty lofty to me!)
    I really just need to practice not stressing the small stuff. 

    This has always been tough for me. I need to just trust that 

    everything will turn out ok and everything happens for a 

    reason!

2. This year I want to get myself back to slowing down! 

     Breathe in the moment! Smile when you're upset! Pick up 

     where you left off! 2011 was a great year for me on this one! 

     2012 not so much!

3. I want to blog more! 

    I want to remember special moments!

    I want to log what I'm thankful for!

    And I want to add my crazy love for music into my daily  

    stories!

4. I want to be a better Me!

    

    I want to be more patient with the boys!

    

    I want to laugh and sing out loud with them everyday!

    

    I want to listen more than I talk!

    I want to go on even more dates with my husband!

    I want to go outside more than I'm in front of my computer!

    I want to be healthy and recognize that for much of this 

    year, my body is not all my own!

    I want to read more!

    I want to take more pictures!

    I want to play the piano even more than this past year!

    I want to give Domenic a night off...just because!

    I want to be more reasonable and realistic!

    I want to be less judgemental!

    

    Even with all my goals, I want to not be so hard on myself!

And if worse comes to worse and many of these goals end up on my list next year.....I know I'll be ok!

Because everything happens for a reason and in the end it all works out!

See I'm off to a great start!