Cheers to the New Year & A 5 year OLD- wise beyond her years!

I am still trying to convince myself that starting of 2013 without any expectations is the WAY to go!  However, that is usually not that way I roll, I'm one of those people who tend to try to make everything play out EXACTLY that way I've already imagined it in my head.  Which usually just ends up making me frustrated or trying to control way too many outcomes.

That is why today on the 5th birthday of my little LADY, I need to remember what I have learned since she was born, to just focus on the positive---THIS one specific focus will lead you to HAPPINESS!  My little sweet birdie, really did send me for quite the tailspin from the day she was born... nothing with her is what I expect it to be.  We really do butt heads and she has to do things in her own way on her own time, which has worked out well and FINE!  She really has bloomed ALL by herself when SHE was good and ready!  I on the other hand am still trying to find the rhythm of her drum.  Looking for the positive has allowed me to surrender; somewhat, to see the beauty in her I never knew could actually be born from me.  That daughter of mine has such a pure & simple spirit, always kind hearted and soft spoken.  I'm still amazed that she is so honestly pure and sensitive, but at the same time knows right from wrong.  She was late to vocalize her spirit and I truly believe she gained some powerful observations skills during those extra months of just observing those around her.  Now as she enters her fifth year she has certainly found her voice and is learning how to assert herself in the world in a way that is more effective and compassionate than I could have ever hoped to witness.

I tend to be very pushy/controlling/aggressive by nature and my daughter is the complete opposite in the most beautiful combination beyond what I ever could have imagined.  The Truth of it is she really takes after my husband and it is because of the TWO of them I am constantly reminded how special the parental bond is and should be nurtured in ALL ways.  Whenever I feel overwhelmed or LOST in crazy frustration I just repeat to myself, "How would her dad handle this?"  Then I try to meet in the middle and if I'm doing half as good of a job as he does with her...We are ALL winning!  Just trying to be present in the moment and giving focused LOVE without EXPECTATIONS is when LOVE comes full STRENGTH back to you--- To both my husband & my daughter--- Thank YOU for allowing me to accompany you and at times PROUDLY watch from the sidelines as we NURTURE our beautiful Daughter-- Happy Birthday Fiona!

We had planned on spending our New Year's Eve celebrating at a local Casino in a ADULTS-only atmosphere but my mother-in-law got sick and in embracing my new philosophy of NO EXPECTATIONS, I was ready to change my plans for an "KID-friendly" evening....and it just so happened that we got a last minute invite to a friends NYE house party--- WE OBVIOUSLY had WAY TOO MUCH FUN!  Just look at the FUNNY Snapshots~  Thanks Debbie & Travis King~  Sorry About the "BUSTED BANANA!!! I really did TRY to help clean it UP!

Then the next morning, I was WAY too tired to wake up and run I decided to sleep in and then my husband woke us ALL up to go walk around City Island and to watch the CRAZY people jump in the river for the Polar Bear Plunge!  Brrrrrr- it was chilly!

Cheers to ANYTHING GOES in 2013 FLICKIGNER FAMILY!