Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2013s Over Onward and Upward to 2014

Well, I'm jumping on the band wagon... This time of year everyone makes posts of their year in review and what they plan for the next year. I wasn't going to cave and be part of the majority, but here I am... Just call me Lucy. (Get it?? Lucy... The oldest female human remains they found... A cave woman... Maybe I'm too much of a geek since I found that so very entertaining.   http://www.pbs.org/saf/1103/features/meetlucy.htm)

At the beginning of 2013 I had a slew of goals that would take me out of my comfort zones and dared me to be adventurous! All of those were derailed and replaced by new goals/achievements that pretty much did the same thing. Which I couldn't be happier about. For instance, instead of trying out for the Phoenix Suns dance team (which heck, I may still do) I got married! Instead of competing in a solo blues dance contest I got pregnant! (...which Dabney just said is kinda the same thing!)

Can you believe it?? I'm having a baby anytime between now and a couple weeks from today! I kind of am still in disbelief! I get a jolt back to the reality of it all with every kick to my ribs or every time I walk in front of a mirror! I am SO EXTREMELY happy that I get to be sharing and experiencing this with my best friend and the perfect companion! I am convinced Dabney and I were pretty much made for each other; unfortunately, as a result, this kid has no hope... She is going to have the most awkward "awkward phase", have the worst teeth ever (until braces, but will continue to have problems with them moving), and will probably be super embarrassed by her parents all the time. I've thought about this a lot. 

Last year I managed to  snag a man that has become an incredible support to me in every aspect, takes care of me when I cry (even if it's as dumb as me not being able to turn the hot water on), makes me laugh so hard that I have thrown up (multiple times), is still attracted to me when I look my worst, and no matter how much time we spend together it doesn't seem like it has been long enough. It still amazes me how unconditionally he loves me, I have never had that kind of relationship before him and I had never imagined having one. To top it all off he is going to be an amazing father, even if at times he doubts himself; I know it because I know him and have seen him with his nieces and nephews he is so full of love there is no way he couldn't be!!

Last year we made a goal to broaden our teaching and take our show on the road. Which we did, quite successfully I might add. We took it easy after I got pregnant, since I didn't know what to expect, but in 2014 we hope we can start to build momentum and do it again!

I was going to make specific goals for 2014, but I think just general ideas would be best. This is going to be a new chapter in my life that is going to involve much more than just myself. With that in mind I feel The best goal I can have is to be flexible. A baby is a ton of hard work... And I've already started to have the feelings of inadequacy because of it. I wasn't being flexible. I need to learn to let go of things when they aren't perfect according to the plan. I mean if everything went perfect where would the fun in life be?!

In 2014 I'm going to get out of my comfort zone! I have always wanted to choreograph dance numbers, but never have. I've always felt I'm not creative enough for it and have always been scared of what my peers might think. I'm making a goal to give up that silly notion! I am a talented dancer that has a ton of potential and before I can reach my full potential I have to start unlocking it!! Why should I sit by the way side and let others do it without standing up and giving it a shot?! In the next year I am hoping to organize a solo girls chorus/team out here in Phoenix. Working with just the follows has been something I've wanted to do since I moved here, but have been too nervous/ scared to do so... Again silly notions!

I am going to read more... And actually finish books once I start them! I have about 5 books that I have started reading and have yet to finish!

I'm going to be more genuine in all my relationships. In the last couple years I have gone through some pretty emotionally wrecking experiences and have been too focused on myself and not other people, rather I've only been focused on certain people. Yes, I have new and old friendships that I have built and are great, but there is so much more I can do to bring happiness to the lives of people around me. My mom was a really good example of that. She would always be thinking of other people. In the last year I feel I have done somewhat of the opposite and only cared about me and people in my immediate circle. This year that is going to change!

To go along with the last item, I am going to start writing thank you cards for things I am given. Getting a present is great and dandy, but getting a thank you card makes a person really feel appreciated. (I got this idea from a friend, Beth Grover, on Facebook)

I also want to run in some sort of organized race... Not a marathon or half marathon... More like a 5k or 10k. I've been wanting to do that for a while, the last time I did something like that was in 8th grade!! I figure it's probably going to be a great way to lose some of this baby weight too!

I  feel really good about the things I have set out to do and am optimistic about 2014, it's going to be a good year. No matter what! I mean how could it not be?! I'm starting the year off as a brand new mommy!!


(Maybe I'll even blog a bit more....)

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Karen, You are an amazing woman, with incredible talents. You love life and it shows with your smile, your attitude and your true passion for Dabney. He is the lucky one! I wish we had gotten to know each other better when we worked together, I'm sure we would have been great friends! I love reading your posts on FB about your life of dance (and your crazy pregnancy dreams). I have set a goal for myself this year as well. I want to hike to the top of one of the mountains here. Not for any other reason but to say I did it. I too would like to do an organized run/walk; 5K, 10K or something. Maybe we can do that one as a team. I know you will be a wonderful mommy and Dabney will be a wonderful daddy. One piece of advice about Parenthood...Love em when they're bad and love em when they're good. It's what my dad told me after the birth of my oldest son (who is now 31 yrs old). I didn't understand what he meant at first; I thought, that's crazy of course I'm going to love em! It took a while, but I figured out what he meant. Happy New Year Karen and Dabney! Cindy :)