One Word - 2018

We have made it another trip around the sun.  We spent a season worshiping the Son and a sacrificial father who SO LOVED us, that he GAVE.  We decorated with festive decor, ate more food that we should have, and exchanged presents with those we loved.  We enjoyed the presence of friends and family that love us best.  And best of all, we got to spend time as a family, relax, and recharge.

The first thought on my mind this morning was, "I cannot believe I have to go back to work TOMORROW!  Now, don't get me wrong - I LOVE MY JOB! The construction and subsequent several step move are not on my light of highlights, but the JOB and the people make it worth it.  But, alas, I still have to get up, dress up, show up, and NEVER give up! And what a blessing that will be!  My second thought, my One Word for 2018!  So, here we go!

My word for 2018 is Welcome.  This word has so many facets, so many uses, so much MEANING.  I took a screen shot of a list of the definitions to share with you:

The word came to me about a week ago as I began to think about my One Word for 2018.  The past year has been a little rough around the edges, and left me with some open wounds, and more than a few scars.  My anxiety levels are through the roof, and I have build a whole new maze of walls and barriers to protect myself.  The first meaning that really struck me was as an adjective - the indication of being relieved or relinquished on control.  Many times this year I have welcomed the opportunity of a burden to be lifted.  But then, I thought long, and hard, about what it means to WELCOME - a verb - a friendly greeting, to be glad to entertain, to react with pleasure.

My focus for WELCOME in 2018 is as a verb.  I need to be more welcoming.  I need to welcome opportunities, and people, and anything God sends my way.  I need to welcome people in to my life, and break down the walls.  I need to exclaim a welcome when I see the people who are important to me and when I want them to know I see them and I care about them.  I need to tell people they are welcome!  Welcome to my time, my talents, my treasure.  I tend to err on the side of selfish sometimes, and it is my goal to be more welcoming.


Mathew 10:40 is the words of Jesus saying, "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me."  I think this is a great example of the reciprocity of this word.  It shows how it is a 2-way street.  We all need to work more on being welcome, welcoming, and be welcomed!  Everyone wants to feel that love, to be accepted!  I need to be more like Jesus in this way.  The passage goes on to say that even sharing a small cup of cold water, a disciple shows his love.  So yes!  Let's welcome each other.

All is this is definitely a fight in progress (ironic, as the police code 10-40 means "fight in progress").  It is hard to feel welcoming, to be WELCOME, when things are rough and it is easier to just retreat and be the best introvert I know how to be.  So this one word, this choice, is definitely going to be a challenge.   Hold me to it!


Other members of my family have chosen words for 2018 as well.  Britt chose reset.  Jake chose excel (with the emphasis on aggressiveness), and Lars is still thinking about hers.  Hers for last her was confidence and it fit so well I think there may be a bit of unease about one for this year!

As I like to do from time to time, I went back and found my ONE WORD for the last several years.  Looking back always gives a fresh perspective as we move forward.  Here is my list (and links!) to the last few words that chose me year by year:

2017 - closer  (I was anxious, and blog-averse, as we opened 2017, so it's a short FB post)
2016 - greater
2015 - brave
2014 - joyful
2013 - resolution

Thank you for taking the time to read about what I see for myself in personal growth for 2018.  And, you're welcome for any inspiration or direction I might have imposed on you.  You are welcome on my blog, in my home, and in my heart, anytime!  Just be welcoming of me, and my flaws, as well.  Welcome to 2018, everyone!

2017 Weaver Wrap Up

Here we are at the end of another year.  2017 presented us with challenges, victories, heartache, and long awaited success.  Seems like every year that goes by brings a little of it ALL to our plates, and it is our job to find the joy and the peace with in it all.  Which would not be possible without this amazing family we are a part of, and without the Number One - Jesus our Savior, in our lives for guidance and protection.

If you know me, you know I like numbers and patterns.  Specifically even numbers and predicative patterns.  You know: twins, 4 kids, 4 letter names, things like that...  So, with that in mind, I am setting forward to write 6 sentences about the last year for each member of the Six Dream Weavers family,  I will share the good and the bad.  The triumphs and the set backs.  And you, the reader, will hopefully see God's hand in it all, just as we have.  So, since I like predictable patterns, we'll go oldest to youngest.. Or, Maybe alphabetically?  So may choices!

So, six sentences.  Alphabetically.  Starts with me...

Betsey

(Side bar - it is hard to find a good picture of me!  I either have on glasses, a hat, or a silly look on my face!)  2017 was en experience in personal growth and remembering I am blessed beyond measure - including starting the 2020 project to commemorate the last weekends we have with the girls at home.  This year also allowed me the opportunity to get closer to my family, know myself better, and learn a LOT of new things along the way.  My biggest highlight was earning an amazing promotion with the Oklahoma State University Office of the Registrar and staring my amazing journey as an Assistant Registrar.  This opportunity has allowed me to spread my wings, meet so many new people (that I just love and adore), and advance my career - dreams can come true!.  I think the low points all align with the struggles we have faced as a family including growing pains, financial and job stress, as well as learning to embrace the fact that we can't please everyone all of the time.  God has shown me patience, joy in the moment, and that I have an incredible husband, and 4 extraordinary kids - all who know how to roll with the punches and make every day a joy.

Britt

Britt has had a challenging 2017, but looking back and reveling in the blessings he was able to enjoy along the way truly make us grateful for this season.  While still looking for full time, steady employment, he has had the opportunity to take on the awesome responsibility for the logistics of our big, busy, bustling household!  What a wonderful moment in time where he is able to take the boys to school everyday, meet them at the end of the day, make sure we have groceries and meals, run all the kids to their activities in the afternoons, and be my personal Uber to and from work.  We are all so grateful for his contributions to our family in this way.  We are equally as thankful for the financial support from driving Uber late at night and working his ******** business during the day to ensure health for all those around us.  His lowest point was late in the fall when he dislocated his shoulder in the middle of the night and the subsequent recovery; we are all glad that is behind us now!


Emma

2017 allowed Emma to really spread her wings and fly after she moved away from Stillwater and all the challenges it had for her.  She faced her new surrounds, school, friends, and sports with such independence and grace - we can't help but be incredibly proud of her!  She has remained active in the Mulhall-Orlando FFA, and added another season of Lady Panther basketball to her resume.  Being a sophomore in high school with extra-curricular activities has shown her the importance of time management and helped her get organized. She still loves the outdoors - camping, trail riding, fishing, lake life, you name it - and spends much of her free time chasing those dreams.  The highlight of her year was "finally" getting her driver's permit - it's hard to be one of the youngest kids in your class!


Finn

Finn is still the crazy, unpredictable, surprise he has always been, he's just six now and is able to be more articulate about his chaos!  Graduating from Pre-K and entering Kindergarten has really allowed his personality to grow and shine - and he still charms everyone with that smile (even if you have to be pretty special to coax one out of him)!  He is a veracious reader, loves to collect (hoard?) a new treasure every couple of weeks, sings incessantly, and definitely wins the "screen time" award in our house!  He has taken after big brother in the love of video games department, and has also become quite the little dribbler by working on his own driveway basketball skills - although he is still too shy to play on a team where people might watch him.  We love watching him use his imagination as he plays with his massive collection of toys and games - he is definitely the most independent kid we have when it comes to entertaining himself.  The highlight of his year was probably this past week on Christmas morning when Santa DID come and he brought things on the (edited 20 times) Christmas list Finn had sent him!


Jake

Jake started 2017 playing basketball, and he will end it doing the same - even though there was a team change in there along the way, and a season of baseball squeezed in the middle.  Fifth grade has proven to be a good year for him - even if he says the teachers quit calling on him to answer questions because he "already knows the answers!"  Jake does everything BIG - he is 5'6" tall and weighs in around the 150 mark, his huge heart for others is a gift I hope never gets tarnished, he is the big man on his basketball team and the heavy hitter in baseball, super smart and very talented; he loves big, feels big, and is a big leader in everything he does.  He is a blessing to everyone around him, and he loves to tell stories, play video games, master all things sports related (including incessant statistics), solve every type of Rubik's cube there is, read any book he can get his hands on, and be a wonderful member of this big family.  It is hard to pinpoint the highest moment of his year, because he finds so much joy in everything he does, there is a highlight almost every day!  He is a fun-loving kid who is a patient big brother, a fantastic little brother, the epitome of a "middle child," and truly a treasure to raise and watch him change the world!


Lara

Lara's goal for 2017 was to be more confident, and we think she NAILED IT!  She not only gained confidence, she gained skills that will last her a lifetime including time management, how to talk to strangers, how to assert herself when needed, the ability to see the forest for all the trees, to try new things - even when they're scary, and how to be true to who she is.  The sports medicine program she is in has raised every bar she ever imagined, and brought about new ones she would have never known about if it were not for the opportunity and for taking that giant leap.  This year as a 10th grader she went on her very first solo date with a boy - and it was to a semi-formal dance with a SENIOR boy she barely knew.  Her smile and her giggle are infectious, and she lights up every room she walks in to - that's what confidence will do for you.  I think her highlight of the year was just in the past couple of weeks as well, when she was chosen by the wrestling athletes to represent the women of the Sophomore class as their attendant for Wrestling Homecoming - the fruits of which will happen on January 11.


We ended the year with a very precious time of relaxing and enjoying time as a family.  With the kids out of school, Britt able to use this time to be present with us, and the University closed for me, we have had a very relaxing and refreshing couple of weeks.  We also chose to keep it simple for Christmas this year.  Not only in the gift department (which we always do - 3 per kid (like the Wise Men), and a "fun" gift from Santa), but by staying home as a family of six and having our favorite, low-key, one-dish meal for lunch.  It gave us time to just be; spend time together, play with new toys and gifts, and not worry about making appearances.  I recommend it!

As we throw ourselves full force into 2018, we wish you nothing but the BEST!  Enjoy the challenges and the opportunities the new year will bring.  And never forget to praise the One who made it all possible.

Our Christmas Meal Recipe:

Sticky Chicken 

Prepare a package of frozen popcorn chicken.

While it cooks, mix over low heat:
6 Tbsp honey
4 Tbsp ketchup
4 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp white vinegar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
Salt/pepper

Bring to boil, simmer 3-5 minutes (to thicken slightly)
Toss with cooked chicken, garnish with sesame seeds and green onions

serve it with boil in bag brown rice