Roll Up, Roll Up, 2013 is here!

We kicked off 2013 with a trip to the Moscow Circus

Happy New Year!

I don't know about you, but for me 2012 came and went like a smoke ring in a stiff breeze. That tends to happen when you jam quite a few major life events into 12 short months. There has been a lot of change. A lot of newness. A lot of wonderful things. A lot more ups than downs this year. With so much going on though, I did get to the end of the year feeling very much like the clowns in the above photo - my head spinning from side to side with an incredulous and dazed look on my face.

A brief recap of the year gone by:

After 18 months in Sydney, we packed up our life to return to Tasmania.

We had "The Big Adventure" - the 3 month trip-of-a-lifetime caravan trek around the country.

We moved back to Tasmania.

The Kids changed Schools, our second child starting school for the first time.

The Pianoman bought into his own business - a dream of working for himself has been high on his agenda for a long time.

We added a menagerie of animals to our farm - the Chooks, a couple of Indian Runner Ducks and 2 pet Lambs.

We started raising sheep for the plate.

I started knitting again.

I learnt to crochet.

I'm learning to spin on a wheel (there's a very good reason I haven't posted my attempts!)

We started our rather substantial vegetable garden.

We enjoyed our 10 year anniversary trip to Vietnam.

I was pregnant (and spent most of the 9 months feeling rather ill and debilitated)

We started to renovate the house and I use the word 'renovate' very loosely.

We celebrated 6 more birthdays and our 11th Wedding Anniversary.

And finally, and obviously the most wonderful life-changing event was the birth of baby Flynn. Those kids bring so much joy and make me proud every day.

And here we are in 2013. I love new beginnings. If it's been a wonderful year then you can start the new year feeling positive about the year ahead and if it's been a not-so-good year then you can start the new year on a clean slate. There is no question that 2012 was a great year for our family where we are finally continuing on with living the dream we started 6 years ago when we bought this little patch of earth after years of dreaming, saving and searching - the dream being to raise a family and live a simple and more sustainable life in the country somewhere.

I have no resolutions this year. I'm just looking forward to 2013 being a year of consolidation. I do love change but even good change can be exhausting. I'm looking forward to being a little more like the Echidna in my Blog banner above and less like the clowns. The Twins will be starting Kindergarten this year, freeing up a few days a week just to myself (and Flynn). I'm looking forward to some more hours to potter in the garden. I'd like to do more knitting and crocheting and learn to sew. I'm mostly hoping to get some more sleep and to put more organisation into the chaos part of "Organised Chaos".

Whatever 2013 brings, and it is sure to bring some surprises and challenges along with some good things, I'll be mindful of the following quote by Buddha:

"Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree in the midst of them all"

In other words, I'll try to "roll with the punches". What about you? Any burning resolutions or dreams for this year? Are you a "roll with the punches" kinda person?

Hope 2013 is a wonderful one for everyone.

Mel xx