While laying in the grass on a wet towel on a breezy day at the pool this summer, I wrote the above words on a fresh page in my journal. My mom was watching my daughter so I could have a few hours to myself, to stop, slow, think, breathe and be quiet. On that fresh, unblemished journal page, these are the words that poured forth.

When I wrote them, there were still four whole months left in 2012, and I thought that "change" was the most important word of the two, as you see I scrawled it in all caps. But through the last several months, I've come to learn that "EMBRACE" is the most important for me - the word that will hopefully define my life in 2013.

I love the idea of choosing one word to focus on throughout the year. Several of my favorite bloggers (like Sarah & Amanda to name a few) have done the same, and it's inspired me to choose my "one word" for 2013.

Here are some of the dictionary's definitions of embrace:

to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to embrace an idea
to avail oneself of: to embrace an opportunity
to take in with the eye or the mind

Yup, all of those. I'm in. So here's what I'm thinking...

Now, where do I start? Embracing who I really am is a big one. You see, at age 35, I've just had a huge epiphany - I am a different than who I thought I was. I have an entire post on this coming soon, so let's just say this: I'm still an introvert. But after living in this skin for thirty-five years, it's like I'm meeting myself for the first time.

Yes, this year is about embracing. I love the way blogger Sarah Bessey says it:

Let me be fearless about aging. Let me welcome each day, each year, as a friend and own them as a gift. Let me welcome the changes in my body and in my opinions.

And this goodness from Psalm 27:1 in The Message:

Light, space, zest—
that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.

Hello, 2013. Let's do this. Let's be more organized and more grateful. Let's read more books. Let's send more snail mail.

I've created an inspiring little space on the hutch in the butler's pantry where my leafy green 2013 planner can live everyday, safe from toddler hands. Set on a beaded flower mat, surrounded by smooth river stones from Colorado and a sweet gum tree pod, it's far better than my planner from last year which floated from room to room and is scribbled throughout with a two-year-old's artwork. I love my daughter's artwork but not in mama's planner, please.

So, I thought I'd share a few of my 2013 goals - none too many or too lofty, but realistic and hopefully inspiring...

Plan ahead better on birthdays. I always turn my calendar page and realize there are birthdays coming up that I haven't planned for. Even if it's just a handwritten card in the mail, I want to celebrate birthdays better this year.
Send more care packages. I think it's time for another snail mail exchange! Snail mail is good for the soul.
Learn to knit. I want to make handwarmers and mug rugs and scarves and hats and all kinds of fun things. A visit to Shabby Sheep might be in order.
Read more books. I'll try to do better than the scant 8 books I read in 2012. Man, 2010 was a good reading year - all those hours spent rocking and nursing a newborn - 27 books!
Sew & embroider more. Funky curtains for the guest room, pillows and pillowcases, and a "mapron" (man-apron) for Steven. I've got a lot of projects in my mind that need to become realities, like this adorable typerwriter pocket pillow from the latest issue of Country Living...
Yoga. I've been saying for the last two years that I want to get back into yoga regularly. It's time. There are even mommy + me yoga classes in our neighborhood for $8/class.
Make it back to the northeast this summer. This past August in New Jersey was very healing for me. I'd love to go for a little less than a month this time, and for our little family to take a drive up to the beautiful Adirondacks in New York state for a few days.
365 days outside. I was inspired by my Instagram friend Aimee of the blog Wild Boy Yonder who recently posted this - a commitment to be outside every single day for a year. Here in Dallas, most of the year will be easy, but summer...ouch. The summer is scorching here, but we can still commit to make it outside every day, if just to play in the sprinkler.