Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It is so nice to be welcoming in a new year. It feels like a fresh time - one that invites change, and renewed effort. I’ve definitely felt the lack of blogging - the lack of the everyday stories that I want to tell, and pictures I want to share, news, tutorials, info, discussion, whatnot.

I have found that I’ve missed the brain-clearing effect that blogging has, as well. For some reason (several reasons) I haven’t been able to sleep well for the past week or so - laying awake LONG into the night, mind racing. I’m hoping to leave some of that here on these virtual pages, too. :)

We have had a GREAT holiday. Jared has been off of work since the 23rd of December, and we’ve been totally laying low. It has been really nice to just hang out, play with the kids, eat way too much holiday-type food, and NOT teach any classes. ;)

Here are a couple of Christmas pics:

Sweet Ele. In our new green backyard! :D Three years in to our life in North Carolina, and I am still completely in love with the winter. I say “winter” in air quotes, of course.

Rowen on our walk on Christmas day. She barely stands still, so photos of both eyes looking right at me (and not making a face) are still as rare as ever. :)

Two nights before Christmas, we went to visit the kids’ sitter. Rowen made her a Christmas card, complete with a picture of Ms. Linda swinging the kids on the swing (Rowen’s favorite activity). It was very well received. :)

Look at those sweet letters! I am totally amazed at how much progress this girl has made at writing. We have to help her spell almost everything, but she writes so quickly and so naturally, it seems like this progress has happened overnight.

Oh, and the pictures she draws! Bring tears to my eyes. There are few things more satisfying to me than to watch her learning to express herself in words and pictures. Hopefully you’ll forgive lots of future posts with Rowen’s artwork in them. ;)

Here’s one she did a few days ago:

This is Rowen and Daddy taking a walk. I love that they are heads with legs and big smiles. :) She used one of my punches to punch a heart, and taped it on.

And my favorite part of this drawing, is the exclamation point. A couple months ago we were reading through some of her phonics books and she asked what this thing was at the end of the sentence? I said, it’s an exclamation point. We use it when we want to say something louder. So we started playing this game where she’d cover the exclamation point in the story with her finger, and I would read the sentence quietly, and then she’d pull her finger away and I’d READ IT LOUD! and she would laugh like crazy. So now every time she is excited about something and wants to make sure something is loud, she simply adds an exclamation point. :) Pretty much this is after every word. She takes after her mama in this I guess. ;)

January Word

I also want to choose a new word for the month of January. I’ll plan to do one every month.

My word for January, after thinking about it - is:

Trust.

I am working on some projects right now that are things I’ve never done before. This is partly what’s been keeping me up at night, I think. I feel a lot of pressure to make things exactly right, and a lot of pressure with the unknowns, and the planning, and so forth. And I think that this word will be a good reminder. To trust myself. To trust the people I’m working with. To trust God, that he will answer my prayers. To let go of fear and uncertainty and worry.  I tend to be the one who tries to take things all on, and to feel like I need to have answers for others, and answers to my own questions, and to be uncomfortable with uncertainty, but in looking back, I see that all my best work has been done when I just let go, and trust, and have fun. :)

So, would you like to join me in a word for January? We can make a mini-album of our year-long project at the end of 09. :)

Have you had good holidays? Have you made any new year’s resolutions? Are you looking forward to 09? Got any big hopes, plans, goals for this year?

My big one: Blog 6x a week. :D

Comments

[~ Kim ~]

Happy New Year to you and yours!!! :)

I think I am going with BELIEVE for my word this year ... its the one I'm leaning toward at the moment anyway! :)

Just wondering ... did I miss the last couple class winners for December Photo A Day? I saw weeks 1 and 2 but can't find 3 and 4 ... were they put on hold for the holidays or have the announcements been relocated?

Thanks in advance for the info! And again, Happy New Year!!

[Jamie]

I am going with Prioritize for Jan. I love getting back on track, refocusing, fresh vision. I am super glad to see you back on your blog, its been an amazing year for me.. your teaching and talents have taught me so much and really got me amped up for 09. Thanks and God bless
Jamie

[Bonnie]

Happy New Year!...note that I made it louder. ;) You are so wonderful and I learn so much from you. I love it that you are sharing more of your perspective and life on your blog. Your children are beyond adorable and I do believe you have a budding artist. Her picture of her and her dad is a treasure. My word is "actualize." Actualize my beliefs, my true self, my dreams and goals, my love of my family, and most importantly continue to actualize my faith especially while I learn to give it all to God. Thank you again for making the blogging world a better place to be.

[Heather L.]

The kids are getting so big, Jess.

My word is "perspective". I too have had heart pounding, mind racing, sleepless nights over work. If not put into perspectice, I completely lose WHY I live - to serve God, to be His hands to both my family and those around me. I feel the tugs of selfishness. I want to get MY things done, and suddenly my children are categorized as nuisances. Slap me around a little, will ya? They are so very precious to me. I can cry at the drop of a hat if I start thinking about how cherished they are.

Okay. PERSPECTIVE it is. My life is pretty darn good.

[LivE]

Hey there, my dearest friend! Happy New Year with huge hugs for you, Jared, Rowen & Ele!

Love that precious drawing of Rowen... have you put it in a keepsake book yet? (Watch those books take over your library shelves as the years go by... I still have to learn how to sort through the drawings of my five boys and keep only a few and let go of the rest; I always think that each one needs to be kept! LOL)

Trust is a good word, Jes! Perfect for this first month of the new year! I know how nerve-wracking these weeks are but do trust yourself fully, because you are awesome--you always have been and you always will be. The unknown always contains some amount of uncertainty--that's part of the adventure called life. :) But as long as you trust yourself, and you know you're giving your very best (as you always do), there is nothing that can go wrong. Even if there may be imperfections that arise along the way (another "given" in life), as long as you've given your best, then everything is still perfect and just the way it should be. ;) Know that I believe in you 1000 percent! :D

Since you got me thinking about my word for the month (which may very well turn out to be my word for the year too! LOL): mine is PRAY. I like it cos I think it's something no one can ever do too much of, and it always results in only good things. Thank you for making me stop and think about this. :)

Here's to more great adventures in 2009 and much laughter shared across the miles! Love ya!

[Brianne N.]

My word for the year is "Joy". I feel that so many days, I pack a million things into such a small amount of time, that I never truly get to enJOY anything. Working full time outside the house and then coming home to a little guy (3 yrs), I feel a lot of the time he gets the short end of things. So my focus this year is to enjoy my time with him and my husband, surround myself with people that bring me joy, and to bring joy to others through my work and creativity.

I would love to join you in a word-per-month! Joy will be my year long but it would rock to have a monthly focus too!!! And YAY for mini's!!!

So glad your family had a great holiday! God Bless!

[gladie]

Happy New Year! :D
glad you brought up this word-thing, makes me think. I really need to sit back and just enjoy these little moments with my sons in stead of hunting them down with camera. Yes. My word: ENJOY.

[Monique (Monsu)]

Happy New Year to you and your family, Jess!
I loved reading about how Rowen gets the whole reading and writing thing!
It is such a priceless skill!
I like your word, it will be applicable in so many ways! My chosen word is Balance, and I've even made a layout about it! You can view it here:
http://www.jessicasprague.com/cpg/displayimage.php?pos=-28457

[NIcky H]

My word (which was a word for the YEAR until I read this. ;) ) is Challenge. I want to challenge my mind and go back to college, challenge my creativity and learn more techniques, and challenge my body and work out/eat better.

I love those pictures! Gorgeous!

[latz]

Happy New Year dear Jess and family! "winter" around here means hibernation unless you want to spend 15 minutes getting each kid bundled up without overheating yourself. But it is worth it to spend some time outdoors. Super cute drawings by Rowen. Love her people with big smiles. I also adore that photo of the boys--I bet it will be one of your favorites this year.

[Kelly Mills]

"Accomplished" Almost 8 years ago, my husband and I became guardian to his sisters children. They were 14 & 9 at the time, and had lost both parents a year apart. Without a doubt, this journey over the past 8 years has been wonderful, while at the same time, it's been the hardest, most taxing thing I've ever taken on. Now...here we are 2009! One will be graduating from college with a degree in nursing. The other, graduating from high school and going into the military. Although once a parent, always a parent we feel as if we have "Accomplished" our goal of raising these two children and the time is quickly approaching when they will spread their wings and fly! This, after all was our goal with them from the very beginning. To overcome, find joy, and know that through Christ ALL things are possible. Russ and I, although making many, many mistakes, must allow ourselves to embrace our achievement in living up to our commitment to his sister, and to feel good about what we Accomplished. And you know what? It does... It does feel good to accomplish such an important task... Happy New Year

[hanna]

My word for this year is going to be gratitude. I really want to focus on being thankful for what I have and stopping to enjoy what is happening right now. Those are lovely pictures of the kids.

[Jana]

Happy New Year Jessica, Jared, Rowen & Ele!!! I'm looking forward to more exciting adventures on the Spraground! I love Rowen's art and the game you play with the exclamation point!. As a teacher of young children, once my kids learn about that, they overuse it with great delight. It's so fun! You get an A+ for working with your children as you do. We need more parents like you! Those things that come naturally to you & me, don't for most.
I think I'll borrow your word trust. I need a heavy dose of it as my dd goes off to college next week for the first time. It's very hard for me to let go & TRUST that everything will be fine.
TFS dear friend!

[Alis in Wnderlnd]

Morning! We too had a WONDERFUL holiday filled with family. I am not sure we've ever had such a good time. We didn't travel--everyone came to us--and there were several days we stayed in pjs all day playing. Although, we did have a TON of snow (chicagoland) so we did some sledding and built a fabulous snowman.

Those pictures are fabulous! did you use a color pop action? I went to college in Virginia, and miss those winters, although it did snow often in February there.

I chose a word for the year: Vision. I need some with every aspect of my life. Scrapping, organizing, working out, meal planning, date nights, and spiritually to name a few. Sometimes I need an extra boost finding a vision, while other times I just need help keeping it. I also need quite a lot of help letting go when my vision doesn't come to fruition as well as I had hoped. I think it may help with lower the stress I put on myself to get everything perfect. It's just not necessary.

Maybe it's the same thing you are feeling. Trust it will be fine. I am super excited for 2009 and excited for what you have designed for us as digi scrappers! Whatever you throw at us, it will be great. I am ready to catch that ball and ready to throw it for a double play! (My husband would be so proud of that reference to summer since he always says now "The days are getting longer; it's almost summer!"

[Karen]

My word for the year is LEARN. I need to learn to take control of one issue in my life and there are two areas (photography & hybrid scrapbooking) where I have very specific goals for the year. The past two years I chose RELAX and COMMIT, and both words served me well. I like the focus one word can have, and how it can encompass more than one area of your life.

[Monda]

I have settled on a big challenge for me - my word for 2009 is Edit. Edit my stuff, life, commitments, - and papers - I'm drowning in paperwork. I am a caregiver to my Mother with Alzheimer's and as her only child (albeit I'm 48) I need to edit her stuff as well - and that's an emotional journey I've been avoiding. I need to clear out to make breathing room for the people and things I love. Here's to the fortitude and strength to make my word for 2009 into an action. Happy New Year ~Monda

[Tya]

Happy New Year!
I like that you're doing a word a month.
I don't know that I'm that ambitious so I've picked a word for the year - SIMPLIFY.

[Cara (SweetTomatoScrapper)]

Happy New Year, Jessica! My word of the month is courage. I'm taking on the challenge of starting a new online business and I need the courage to keep it up as it is not something I HAVE to do(which I'm afraid will make me it easier for me to cave in the tough times), but I want to follow this through and see if I can make my vision come true. I look forward to your 6x a week blog and your new classes (which will be wonderful because you care enough to make them so...so no worries!).

[Melanie]

My word for the year is GROW.
Grow as an artist, as a mother, wife, PERSON.
Of course, seeing everyone else's words and ideas behind them make me second guess myself, lol. Last year I picked a word, LIVE. But didn't do anything toward it though. So this year, I am going to print it out, cut it out and make art with it. Then leave it where I see it everyday.
I know I have said this before, but your kids are so adorable!!! My oldest has taken to writing stories out the last few days .. amazing the leaps they make sometimes, huh?

[Vanessa]

My word for January is: FOCUS.

With that word in mind, I hope to focus on the important things in my life - the people, my faith, my aspirations. I want to whittle away the non-essentials during January and develop my focus on the truly valuable things. (Maybe my word should really be LUCK!!)

[Vicky]

Happy New Year Sprague family! My word the for the year is courage. (although I'm liking the sound of a word a month) There are a lot of things I need to change in my life for 2009 and I will need courage to make them happen. Jess you are an inspiration with all you do and I thank you for sharing so much of yourself and your family. You have an adorable family and I look forward to seeing and hearing more about them in 2009. No worries on your new adventures, you'll do fine. We will all be here cheer you on and to provide you with support when you need it. GO JESS!!!! (I hope that was loud enough for ya)

[Heather P]

I like the idea of a word a month. I was trying to choose one for the year and was struggling to choose one. So, my word for January is LOVE - as in loving myself by making healthier choices. My two main goals for January are - learn to use PSE (which thanks to Up & Running I am making great progress on) and learn to use hubbies DSLR. I also wanted to say thank you sooo much for Up & Running -- I'm on week 3 and have learned sooo much - great class! Thank you!

[Lindsan]

Since I didn't have nearly enough fun last year I think that will have to be my theme for the whole year. So "Have fun" is the word (even though it's technically two words).

Happy New Year!

[Amy Zarrella]

relax and forgive are my words for 2009.
just wondering if the december photo of the day last two winners were announced somewhere? I don't care if I win cause I am taking ALL the new classes anyways, just didn't want to miss the winner!
Happy New Year Jess! So looking forward to taking some new classes with you this year and hopefully seeing you at the new CK digital event wherever that may be (doesn't matter cause I will be there!)

[Terebene]

I really like the picture of Rowen. She is growing a lot. Not such a little one any more. My word for January is Patience. After a busy, crazy December, I need to slow down and keep perspective and grant everyone around me (and myself) a little more patience.

[shell]

mine is RELEASE.....to let go and LET GOD! I have been putting a TON of decisions in my life to prayer, and now i need to remember to let go....and let Him take care of me!!!!

New Years resolutions.....i learned a long time ago not to be too hard on this holiday!!!! It's a huge disappointment if it falls through! SOOOO.....i chose a couple that I really want to change. 1) more weekly dates with my husband
2) more time in prayer and scripture

That should take care of a LOT of my life needs! ACTUALLY!!! ALL OF THEM! :) Happy New Year my dear friend!

[Jan Connair]

Psycho twins, Jess! When I chose my word for 2009, I chose "TRUST" as well. Sounds like our reasoning is quite similar. I especially need to learn to trust myself. But that whole thing about trusting God more and worrying less is definitely a huge part of the equation as well!

[Rebecca]

I love the idea of a new word for every month. I've never done the "one little word" project because it was just too overwhelming for me to think of a word to sum up everything I want to do , become, accomplish in one year. Plus, I get bored easily. ; ) A word a month is more do-able. Now to just think of one!

[jaynezascrapper]

Love the pic of Ele and Jared.... so sweet....

My word for the month is Focus... I need to get serious and focus on the priorities. My world is always living from one moment to the next, and i am one of those people who enjoy life and just LIVE, but in the mean time, sometimes important things get swept under the rug to haunt me and find a permanent home on to do lists, carried on from month to month. So, for this month I'm workin on finishing things; as I'm the queen of unfinished projects -And of course taking the time to refocus and prioritize.

So Here's to all of us in our quest to become better! Cheers and Happy New Year!

[Stacie]

WOO HOO! 6x a week huh?!?! I am going for 10 times a month on my blog! :) happy to hear that you are going for so many though because i love your stories! I am also loving the idea of a word a month rather than one for the year. I tried that last year and honestly I have no idea what it was. I can go back in my blog but the fact that I don't know means something so I am with you...one month at a time.
PATIENCE is my word for this month. Patience to wait for news about employment, patience with my kids and hubby, patience with life in general. PATIENCE.