It is official; a couple of weeks ago our little Emily started 2nd grade. It is so hard to believe that our baby is already that old. Everyone talks about how quickly this life can pass by, but many seem too busy to enjoy it. I am totally guilty of this. I get so wrapped up in what I think I should be focused on that I can too easily miss the joy of just enjoying and being in the moment with my family and friends. I get so caught up in wanting my house to be perfect, my kids to be perfect, and my work to be pristine that somewhere along the line I have stopped enjoying the joy in the everyday moments.

So, as we enter into Emily's 3rd year of being homeschooled, and as I juggle the love and passion I have for my work with that of my family, this mommy has decided to work on some changes. First, I want this year to be fun. I want Emily to see that while learning is indeed work, she can also have a whole lot of fun in the process.

I am getting rid of the all the pressure I unnecessarily put on myself to achieve something that someone else may call success. So what if my daughters dress themselves and don't match, who cares if my house isn't perfect (ever), and big deal if everyday isn't a marathon of accomplishments I can cross off my list. This year I am going to work on doing less, loving more, and finding joy in every minute of my life—the good, the bad and the messy.

So, here is to a new school year, and to my super smart 2nd grade girly who amazes me everyday with her intelligence and her love. I grabbed this picture of her on our first day of school. I just can't help but keep falling in love with her smile. :)