Happy New Year and more

From our family to yours, Happy New Year. We feel so blessed this year. 

Just a few things to share as we get back to work today...

1. We are making some changes and moving some things around on the blog to make way for some major updates and some wonderful changes, there may be some broken blog links and some content the is rearranged.  If you feel like you've lost something that used to be there, pop us an email and I will see if I can help you find it. The changes will be awesome, I can't wait to share them with everyone!
2. We get a lot of emails this time of the year as many families are heading back to their school year. Many of those emails are worried ones about not being ready with their planning and worried about getting back to things. The holidays can be such a build up, a busy time and when we put them to bed it can feel like there is a lull in life a bit and it can leave us struggling to feel caught up despite all this extra time we had. Don't get overwhelmed. If you aren't ready to start back this week then don't.  Stand back at re-evaluate your rhythm, what needs to get back on track? Sleep? Meals? Remember that YOU keep the rhythm so start with you. Take a day to get your menu planned out and another day or two to get your schooling in order.  If you have bigger children, have them do some topic based reading this week on themes you are introducing or have them do some math practice. Get them involved in this time of planning for the new year. Put them to work helping you.  If you have young children, take this extra time to get them back on a good sleep rhythm, get back to one yourself - get to bed on time tonight and get up early tomorrow to work on planning. Set aside computer time, don't let the computer distract you. If you are having trouble with rhythm and the foundations of Waldorf, consider our program Thinking Feeling Willing, it is perfect for all moms on this path, no matter the age of your children or the place you are in your journey. Take the steps to getting the help you need in ordering your life so you can feel confident. Be kind to yourself but firm in your desires and goals. Being kind to yourself doesn't mean you get off the hook for planning and getting things in order. Your children deserve a good rhythm.  You are capable of providing it.  There are just a few steps you need to take in order to get there. You can do it. 
3. Did I mention how blessed we feel? Sure we've had our share of crazy this year and there were a few places where we had to adjust our expectations, but overall we are blessed. So are you. It is so often just how we look at things.  I watched friends send out messages like "thank goodness 2011 is over." I can't help but think about my own part in all that is life and all the wonderful lessons we can be taught if we are humble and teachable. It took me a long time to get to this place fully and I know I still have plenty of growing room. I am looking at 2011 as another year that I learned. 2012 as one that is waiting for my successes and my mistakes - it will be fabulous! What do you have ahead of you? Anything fun?  I sure hope so!  Life is such a wonderful adventure. If you are not where you want to be, get there. Find a way to actively work on it. Get strong in who you are and where you are headed. Stand firm. Be a Beacon for your family. It is within you.  Look forward. Be better than the YOU of yesterday. 

I wish you all peace and good will in the days ahead.  We love working with this community and the opportunity it gives us to grow and to shine. We love our work and sincerely hope you love yours. These children are all blessed to have us all as parents. Let's work to strive even more everyday. 

Love and blessings to you all.

Melisa & Erik Nielsen