Survive or thrive?

I'll be honest, whenever people have talked about New Year's resolutions I didn't really get it. I've never been one to set a goal for the new year. It just never resonated with me. Until this year.  I had been reading some blogs of some ladies choosing a word for the new year.  And this year I knew I was ready for something different than last year.

Last year was great! Shepherd joined our family, Justin got a long awaited and prayed for job, I transferred to another department that I LOVE.  But it was a tough year too.  It took us a good 6 months to get used to our new routines.  So most of the year was spent surviving.  Grabbing McDonald's on my way to the grocery because who knows when I'll eat next.  Showering whenever I had time, usually at the end of the day right before I crashed in bed.  Starting my day tired and not getting breakfast until after the kids got lunch.  Minimal time with Justin, and rare date nights.  Feeling like I wanted to serve and love other people, but I just didn't know how to work it in to our new life.  Grabbing quick moments with God here and there.  It was a good year, it was also a tough year.  

So when I thought about I wanted 2014 to be different, I first thought about my 2013. If I could have give 2013 a word it would have been "Survive". We were in survival mode for most of the year.  But yeah, I wanted something different for 2014.  I wanted more that to just make it through the year. More than just surviving. I wanted to THRIVE.

I want to go deep with God and make our time count. I want more than just reporting off to Justin when I get home from work. I want kisses, and dates, and smacks on my butt :) I want to be intentional with Inara and Shepherd at home. I want to love and encourage the other people in my life. I want to thrive.  I want to take care of myself, so I'll be around for a while to take care of my family.

As I shared before, I am learning to be brave.  I think maybe I never set a new years resolution or set goals because I was afraid of failing.  But I am choosing to be brave this year. I want to thrive, and I'll only get there by trying.  Yeah, I'll get behind on my reading plan.  I'll yell at the kids.  I'll be lazy. I'll fail.  But, by the grace of God, I'll get back up.  I'll keep trying.  I'm praying God will help use this word to direct my year and my heart.  To keep it pure and simple. A devotion to him and a good steward of the things he's given me.

What would you give use for a word to describe 2013?

What word would you like to use to guide 2014?