Happy New Year!

Today is the first day of 2013. Exciting and scary. Every New Year's I can't help but think ahead to all the fun, and not so fun, things we'll encounter.

In 2013 Bean will turn 2, our pitbull 4, the cat 5, our dachshund 6, and the husky mix my dad and I rescued together turns 13. Yes, 13. I'm 90% sure this is his last New Year's. He's not a spring chicken anymore. But I am so thankful he was here to spend time with Bean, and his patience with her exceeds my expectations. Sometimes, it greatly exceeds my own. He taught her so many things that only a faithful companion or the furry variety can teach a child. One thing I heard this year that I loved was, "Lock a dog and your husband in the trunk for an hour... who will be happy to see you when you let them out?" Funny! But true. Not that I'd ever lock anyone in a trunk.. but it did lead me to think what if I locked Bean and a dog in there (hypothetically of course) they both would be happy to see me!

As we drive around, or walk through the mall I see tons of kids "plugged in" MP3 players, electronic toys, iPads, iPhones, etc. Yes, I have given our phone of iPad to Bean occasionally to help keep her awake on a long drive in the car (so it doesn't mess up nap/bed time), and also if I'm cooking and need her to detach herself from me for 15 minutes. But, the more I am out and about, the more it's obvious that this plugged in state is becoming the "norm". I see couples on dates, sitting across the table from each other but both of them are on their phones.

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It's sad. As I became aware of crutch we have created with electronics, I noticed that my husband and I are more plugged in than we both had realized. A five minute car ride to the store, and I'm on his phone browsing, or playing a game to pass the time. It's a five minute ride, Mar! Look outside!!

So my husband and I made our first resolution.

Cut back on our "plugged in" time. During the hours that my husband is awake, and with us during the day before he goes to work, we will set our cell phones, and iPads on silent. Turn the computers and TV off. We'll spend our time playing, coloring, teaching and learning from each other. We'll spend quality time with each other, instead of spending time with each other while not really being present.

I'm really looking forward to this resolution. It's going to be a positive change for all of us. I'm especially looking forward to being able to watch my husband and Bean play together more. He tends to get so caught up in doing the dishes, or other things that need to be done around the house that I feel his quality time her takes a back seat occasionally. With cutting technology out, where he used to sit on his phone and play games while she nursed, now since he resolved not to do that he can do the dishes while shes nursing and that gives them more time to play together! Exciting right?!

I hope you make the best out of 2013!