End of the Year Reflections
The year is coming to an end and soon it we will welcome 2024. I think it has been a good year for me, my husband & our family. I’ve accomplished a lot as a mother, an interior designer and an individual. I’ve learned that my husband’s achievements are my achievements too. We are a team and everything we each achieve as an induvial, is an accomplishment to both of us because, we couldn’t have done it without each other’s love and support.
I won’t talk about my accomplishments as a mother in detail, but don’t we take those little milestones for granted? We never give ourselves credit for our children’s’ success and growth! My kids are growing into wonderful little humans and I’m so proud of them. I’m in awe at how fast they are growing! My oldest is now the tallest in the family mashallah and such a kind, smart, ambitious person. How is he not my little baby who I used to let sleep in my arms while I watched him sleep amazed at how this little human grew in my belly and was all mine. How is my daughter almost my height, with that beautiful smile, so hardworking, always insisting she goes to school no matter how sick she is, she can’t miss a lesson. She is so talented; her latest hobby is making things with clay and with the encouragement of a teacher has her own Instagram where she hopes to sell her creations. My middle son, so sweet and caring, he’s our athlete, he goes to soccer camp twice a week and loves soccer (I mean football, he will always correct me, haha) My fourth is very sensitive, yet so strong. He has always been in a hurry to grow older, he was the youngest for 5 years and still feels like he needs to grow faster. He actually said: “I’ll finally be 10 in January and my age will finally be two digits!” He has tried to be independent since he was so young. My youngest, is 5, he’s learning so much at school and has such headstrong opinions! I don’t like to call him stubborn. He really knows what he wants and you can’t persuade him otherwise, he does listen when I need to put my foot down about something, but I try to discuss things with him and convince him. “Because I said so” never works. As hard as it is to be a mother to so many age groups; high school, middle school. Elementary school. Kindergarten) It is very rewarding and worth it all. As one of my YOU friends say: “How lucky am I?!”
I’ve spoken about our last renovation and how I connected with my kids through this project. We still haven’t finished all the details, and my kitchen and the moment is just a room with tables and a mini fridge, but the end is near.
I finished my first 10k in February. In November, I finished my first trail race. I’ve hit some goals at the gym, I’m so proud of where I am. I do have my personal trainer to thank for all of her encouragement and support, especially during the dizzy spell. With her help, I never gave up even when I wanted to she didn’t let me, we kept tweaking my workouts and switching things up to make it work until the doctors finally gave me some answers and I’m slowly getting better and finishing workouts without any dizzy spells.
I’ve read 16th books and I’m on book 16! (not counting the multiple books I’m in the middle of) I threw my kids an “Among Us Party” I threw an “Under the Sea” party for Eid Al Fitr. I was realistic and didn’t host Eid al Adha, since we were in the middle of renovating and things were chaotic! We had some fun, went away for a weekend, took the kids on a week trip in the middle of the renovation and all the chaos (I will post about that soon) were more spontaneous, spent a day and a night in Madinah on the most important night of Ramadan. Went on an 11 day trip, that was the most laid back relaxed trip we’ve ever been on. I will post about that too, soon)
I’m different then I was at the beginning of the year. I’m better at finding balance in my life. (That was my word for 2023) I’m taking care of myself more while caring for everyone else. I’m getting better at delegating, I’m realizing that when they say it takes a village to raise a child, its ok to let that village help you. I’m grateful I have the love and support of my husband’s family & my family.
So, as 2023 comes to an end, with all its good, bad, and everything in between. As I reflect on my life, where I am and where I want to be. I will continue to look for balance, think of a new word for the new year. I will continue to add things to my list, while checking things off it. I will do my best to help my children grow and blossom into young adults while I continue to learn and blossom too.
I hope and pray the new year brings me, my loved ones and the entire world; love, prosperity and peace.
Let us welcome 2024 with open arms and the optimism that this year will be better for humanity.