New Year’s resolutions have become a huge tradition in many peoples’ lives. Come the first of the year, they set their goals and intentions for the year. While I’m sure there are at least a few who thrive and tackle these goals…the unfortunate majority fall short and give up well before they turn their calendars over to February.

As you may have figured out by now, I am an all or nothing type of girl. I also hate to fail at things. I also set really high standards for myself, therefore putting a lot of pressure on myself and setting myself up for failure often. It’s not a pretty cycle. (Hey! We all have our weaknesses.)

But I also really love the idea of starting the new year with a clean slate and setting intentions. That’s why the first time I heard about One Little Word, my heart leapt. A list of resolutions I would surely fail at. But striving to incorporate one little word into my life for one year? Fail-proof method, amiright?

So maybe 4 years ago, I started choosing one little word every year. And I’m continuing it this year. Although, surprisingly enough…this year it didn’t just come to me like it has every year before. I thought about it and prayed about it. I mulled over others’ one little word hoping something would just feel right. But here I am, nearing the end of February, and I just now settled on a word. But you know what? I found it! And it feels right. And as always, better late than never! My one little word for 2017 is…..

And let me tell you why.

I have spent my entire life planning things down to every last detail. I love list-making and the sheer joy it gives me to cross off that list one by one is borderline obsessive. I get excited about the future and love to dream up all the possibilities. But sometimes, just sometimes, this dreamy, planning self of mine can get so caught up in the possibilities, that I forget to be present in the moment. I forget to savor what is sitting right in front of me!

This pregnancy (as well as every one prior) has not been easy on my body or on my emotional state. While I told my husband that we are never allowed to use the words “we’re done”…we both know that with the way thing are going, we probably won’t be doing this specific journey again. And while every inch of my body is screaming, “just make it through today” each and every day…I don’t want to get so caught up in the end result (which will be amazing) that I forget to savor the amazing tidbits along the way. Like my husband reaching for my belly in hopes of feeling that first kick. My daughter laying across my lap singing to the baby. My son sharing his excitement for learning how to change diapers (YEP…for reals people! How lucky am I?)!

There are so many ways in which I can count the challenges of this pregnancy, but also so many ways I can count the joys.

And just in the way this could be my last pregnancy…this could be my last baby. We all know how quickly those first years go. Every parent has looked their babes in the eyes and pleaded with them to stop growing. Every single one of us has helped our child get dressed and think….I blinked and you were big! And I don’t want to miss one second of this.

So this year I choose to savor each precious moment, each adventure and experience and remember that life is a blessing. What do you do to stay present and savor the moment with your family?