Epiphany and my One Word

This post contains a lot of stuff personal to me. If you're looking for lots of kid pictures, this is not your post. Hang in there. 

2016 is a beautiful year. I can tell. The number is just pretty to look at, for one thing. For another, I started it in a place of hope for positive changes for our family.

Some of these changes I can't control. But I'm starting with that which I can change. The journey toward care of my adult self, which my anxiety diagnosis began in 2012, keeps unfolding and exposing new tasks. The annoying digestive inconsistencies I've experienced for years worsened considerably in 2015, and I spent the last week of the year really struggling with food. I don't want to have to keep feeling bad, but I don't want to fear all food, either.

My NP has recommended, rather timidly, that I attempt a low-FODMAP diet, but as diets of any sort are generally my horror, and the patient work and discomfort of slowly re-introducing one food at a time to find determine my sensitivities sounded like more trouble than it was worth.

Funny how things can change. I'm no longer willing, I decided, to remain passively dreading a tummy ache or bout of nausea, etc. As of January 1, I am FODMOP free. So far? I'm feeling great.

I start each day with a couple of dances on Wii (today I started with Outkast, Boney M. and James Brown) to break a sweat (such positive mood benefits so far!) and then proceed to eat no gluten or other high FODMAP foods, instead eating simple stuff we made ourselves. 2012 me would not believe this. But my 2016 One Word is Health. I intend to focus on every kind of health I can, from psychological to physical to relationship health. I finally have the energy to switch to an offensive tactic, and I love it.

I ended 2015 a bit depressed about things I could not control. I'm beginning 2016 motivated to show up to the things I can control. I hope this inspiration lasts!

We said no to the 7pm Epiphany service last night. I love Epiphany, but that was the kids' first day back at school and we were all wiped. Instead, we did a good old Epiphany tree burning and carol sing in the backyard.

We threw in the last of the rainbow crystals for good measure!

That little tree really burned!

I hope we get plenty of use of this fire pit in 2016. It's been a joy.

We said goodbye to Christmas last night in a flourish of rainbow flame. Onward into 2016 and all the possibilities it contains!

I still love my commute. Even in winter. 

Empty campus at almost 8am

Bring it on, 2016.