the year that was-the year that is.

The year that was.

Looking back on 2010, many feelings, memories and words come to mind.

Some of those memories and feelings stand out as happy ones and others as very sad and significant. But for each experience, be it a positive one or one that was hard to deal with, for each one I am grateful because it is through these experiences that I have grown.

This past year brought surprises and big changes. I would've never imagined that we would move to the Yukon in 2010 and say good bye to our life in Hamilton. It was so hard for me to pack up and leave Hamilton but as I have learned, taking leaps of faith can sometimes be the best thing for ourselves and yes our move to Whitehorse has been such a fantastic experience for my little family.

This past year taught me some valuable lessons about the value of relationships. After seeing someone I know lose someone very close to them, I began to look at the relationships that I had in my life in a whole new light. No way would I ever take for granted my husband, child, family or friends. I vowed to hold on tighter than ever to those that I love.

This past year has also became a year of recognizing the simple and beautiful things in life. I've included some collages from previous posts through out the year that demonstrate how I've tried to slow down and appreciate the beauty around me. This is something that I would like to pick up more. Taking photos of the simple everyday things that surround me. One of my many goals for 2011.

Another amazing opportunity that has come my way has been the take off of my part-time photography business, Birds on a Wire Photography. Since moving to Whitehorse, I have been working away at taking photos for wonderful families in my community. It has been a blessing for me to be able to do something that I love so very much and I have big plans to continue to have my business grow in 2011.

Most importantly though I think one of my most favourite memories of this past year has to be watching Noah grow from a little baby to a full on running toddler. This past year has been one full of firsts for Noah and I have had so much fun being able to be there to watch him grow. From eating his first solids, to going on countless walks and trips to the park, from his first birthday to watching him learn to walk, it's been one amazing year and I am reminded daily of just how lucky I am to be Noah's mama. Oh how I love being Noah's mama.

And so when I look back on 2010 words like faith, love, family, adventure, trust, in the now, and authenticity come to mind. I feel as though I have grown in many ways but also that I still have much more growing and learning to do.

On a personal level I want to push myself to be a better person, kinder, and more thoughtful of others. I also want to be more sure of myself. I want to trust my own judgement and decisions and to be confident in everything that I do. Those are big goals...maybe not so much goals as changes that I want to make.

As well as all those, there are the actual real goals that I want to make too. Like a new business plan for Birds on a Wire Photography that will include a brand new website. I also want to get my craft/studio organized and make it the most beautiful spot where I can paint, sew, photo edit and craft. I also want to make more things and buy less, something that I have been moving towards lately. I want to make more of a pre-school program for Noah and want to do some more research on how I can build Waldorf philosophies into our day to day life. And last but not least, this year will be the year that Winslow and I get onto a real budget where we know where every single dollar from our family income goes...a big step for us but I know it is time.

So there you have it, my goals and hopes for 2011. I want to say thank you so much for coming along on my journeys with me, for the support and friendships that have been made and comments left on my posts. I'm so thankful to have found so many kindred spirits through blogging and I continue to be in awe of all the talent out there in this little blog world.

Happy New Year dear friends. May 2011 be wonderful to you.

xox