New Year, New Chances

I can honestly say last year was the worst year of my life. Two different kids in residential treatment centers for 3 months each; one child attempting suicide; less income than ever in my working adult life despite making more per hour; the most drama filled family gatherings you can imagine; and the list goes on.

I have promised myself that we will NOT have another year like last year. Our family will not survive it. As the matriarch and only parent of the home, I set the tone. I know that when I don't do well, the family doesn't do well.

I am committed to getting this family back on track this year. As part of that, I want to journal every day. Right now, I need to be accountable to someone or I won't do it. So I am making my blog public and I'm going to be accountable to the world.

I haven't started out too well this year yet. I have missed more days than I have worked. Most of those were due to having the flu. Some were not. I need to stop making excuses to stay in bed all the time. The flu was legitimate, I admit. But I have let it go on too long. I should have been up all week this week and getting my house back in order. My Christmas tree will NOT be up until April this year like it was last year! I need to kick it in gear.

Ty has been begging for family dinners for so long. I made hamburgers on Monday. But he was heartbroken when we didn't eat together. He tried so hard to get us to. But like usual, we all went our separate ways to eat. I need to stop that; get us all at the table again.

I know I won't be perfect. I know I am going to stumble a lot. But I also know I can do this. We have been happy before. We can be happy again. I know we can.