So it’s been a while since I’ve chosen One Little Word. I don’t even remember the last one I chose.
And you know what? Even when I have chosen a word, I haven’t followed through on making it meaningful. On using it with intention.
And I want this year to be different.
So I sat down to think (and think) about the word I wanted to choose.
And I thought about something that happened when we were in Florence.
The owner of the apartment we were renting came by to meet with us. He was just lovely. We chatted about Italy and about our big family. I was telling him how in America people make interesting (?!?!?) -read thoughtless at times- comments about large families.
And how plenty of people think we are just nuts.
Recently someone said to me “I don’t know why someone would want to have four kids!”. Uhhh….what’s the proper response to that? I’ll tell you what. The slow blink.
Anyway…
He said crazy? Oh no! Coraggioso.
Courageous.
And you know what? It was one of the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard. Most words tend to be prettier in Italian…but this one just went straight to my heart.
I want to be courageous.
And that’s my word for 2014.Coraggioso.
1. I want to be courageous by standing up for myself. In saying no thank you. In saying yes,please. In saying what I want and need to say.
2. I want to make decisions that aren’t always the easiest and the safest. I’m sick and tired of censoring myself based on whether someone else may or may not agree with what I have to say.
3. I want to show my girls how to live life courageously.
4. I want to try new things professionally this year, things I’ve been scared of.
5. I want to explore this world.
6. I want to be able to ask for what I want. What I need.
7. I want to be honest with myself.
8. I want to love courageously and completely.
9. I want to immerse myself in this culture and language without worrying about making a fool of myself.
10. I want to be strong. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
I want to live life courageously. I want this year to mean something. I don’t want it to slip through my fingers or pass in a flurry of not remembering.
That’s my OLW. What’s yours?
xoxo
What is One Little Word?
It’s a wonderful concept that the amazing Ali came up with.
You can read all about it here.
Ali is also offering a class that you can join here.
Love your word and yes, everything sounds just beautiful in Italian 🙂
An online friend just made me jump over the edge and join Ali’s class today and I already chose my word and blogged about it 😉
Love your word! Love your ‘big’ family and your adventures. We only have five in my family! :). My word this year is ‘focus’ and I blogged about it today also! Happy New Year, Stephanie!
I’m taking the class for the first time this year. I’m excited! I think my word is WORK. I have recently that having the life I want requires working hard at things I don’t want to do…and I HATE doing things I do f want to do, so I don’t do them. That will hanged in 2014. I will learn to embrace hard work.
You go girl. I’m not doing OLW (hell, I quit scrapping) but my goal this year is to be kinder to myself.
Have you seen the movie with the same name?
We (the kids and myself) loved it!!
And, I love your OLW. Very inspiring!
https://www.facebook.com/courageousthemovie
That’s a beautiful word in English and Italian! Love your list too. My OLW for 2014 is purpose.
Love it! It is beautiful in Italian. I haven’t come up with a word as last time I did not follow through with it and darn it, it was a good one!
Wonderful! 🙂
You, you are already courageous!! But I cannot wait to see what more you do. Happy New Year.
Great word for you (and, yes, so much lovelier to hear it in Italian)! My OLW actually turned in to two words ~ Be More ~ a little similar to yours, maybe?
Happy New Year to you and your lovely family.
Totally agree, most words are so much prettier in Italian, compared to any language. I’m adopting your word, Corragioso, as my word for 2014. In Icelandic it is “hugrökk” but the Italian is the one I’m using 🙂 Buon anno!
What a wonderful word! I am so sorry some Americans consider a family of 6 crazy. I grew up in a family of 6 and am so happy to have the 3 siblings I do have. I have a friend who thinks my 3 kids are a lot (she only has 1 child). I can only feel sorry for people who think it’s a lot to have 2, 3 or 4 kids. I find it to be truly wonderful, richly blessed to have what I have. I’m sure you do to. My heart burst open over and over again for my children and am incredibly thankful for each and everyone of those precious kids I get to call mine!! You are obviously an amazing mother, your children are happy and well loved. 🙂 Happy New Years! xo
I just want to wish you much success with your beautiful choice of a word. I love following your journey through your words and photos. I happen to think of you as one of the most courageous women I know of, but it’s what you think and choose that really matters, obviously. As a fellow parent of twins, my favorite question is always “Did you plan to have them?”…as if.
Wishing you and your family an amazing 2014 filled with love and courage and adventures!
Yes, I totally know where you are coming from…I grew up in a family of 14! People thought my parents were crazy!
My little word is: ME.
Might seem selfish, but this year I really want to start taking care of myself. That means getting into a routine of washing my face with yummy scents everyday, getting a haircut more than 1x/year, running as many races I can! I tend to put myself aside and even if I spend 15 minutes each night taking care of me, then that’s great! I also want to try and read at least 10 min (if not more) everyday. I really miss reading and so this year its all about me!
I grew up with 4 brothers & 4 sisters. My Mom is NEVER alone. I have 2 children. Oh how I wish I would have been able to have more. Courageous? Steph, you are one of the most courageous and inspiring women I know. But you are not courageous for having 4 wonderful little people at your feet. You are BLESSED. You know you are staying in Italy for that 4th year, don’t you 😉 Thanks for being you. maggieb!
MY OLW is adventure – http://www.hollyhumbert.com/2013/12/one-little-word-2014.html
Stephanie, in my mind you have always been courageous. I have always looked up to how you handle trials and conflict with grace.
I agree with Holly. You are most certainly an example of courage in my life. The challenges that have been thrown at you? The number of times you have hugged your husband goodbye and sent him off into harms way? You would find me in the fetal position rocking in the corner! I am excited to see how God works in your life with that word as your focus this year!
Happy New Year Stephanie! It is funny how we see ourselves vs how others see us. Courageous is a great word … and I see you that way already. You have done so much in your life that has taken courage, and pushed ahead to do more, to be more. I have followed your blog from the beginning and have been in awe of what you have faced and how you have done it with courage.
Wishing you a exciting year ahead that brings you joy and fulfillment in a way that you see the courageous woman you are.
I love that word! I honestly haven’t done OLW yet, and haven’t thought about it….it’s like my PL mind block, but I do think I need to sit down and sketch out some goals for this year…and I”m running out of time!
Happy New Year to you and your family. I also had four children, when people would ask me “why did you have four kids?” I would answer with a smile because I didn’t want five! ( thank you goes to Bill Cosby). Wonderful word choice, it fits you to a tee.
Love your word and love it in Italian. 🙂 My OLW seems to have become Curate. I had a couple others in mind and then saw this in Ali’s comments yesterday and it seems to be really sticking. My previous favorite was Flourish in 2012 and I chose Cultivate last year but pretty much ignored it. Curate lines up with some of the things I had been thinking about for the new year so here we go. 🙂
Many have already said this, but in my mind, you are one of the most courageous people I “know” through the internet. I love that you are taking ownership of the word and expanding on your already inherent courage.
I chose a word last year and can’t even remember what it was, but I know how powerful this concept can be if you follow through with it. My word for 2009 was a phrase–“trust yourself”–and it was what kept me sane as I went through a divorce and rejoined the workforce. My word for 2014 is “go.” I have half an empty nest now, and I want to GO on adventures with my son, with my friends, with myself. I want to GO faster and stronger in my running. I want to GO after what I want, instead of talking myself out of things.
I am excited to see your journey with your word.
Oh dear Stephanie, you are so courageous. I have “known” you for awhile now, I think since Harper was a baby and I look to you for all kinds of things. I watched how you fought through your pain when J was deployed numerous times, how you held on with all your heart to the hope that he would return whole, how you did it all with grace with not one but 4 little girls. I am such an admirer. I watched you move from one place to another, making each house a home, not just a temporary place to live-gosh I love that ! I watched you grow from an insecure new mom to a confident, beautiful, risk taking mother of 4 lovely girls. I wish I could meet you someday. Never, ever underestimate your impact on your friends near and far, you are so loved.
great word! so many of those reasons really resonate with me too-thanks for sharing!
I will have to come up with a word, but when I see large, happy families it just makes my heart melt! I came from a family of 6 kids….my parents lived in a one bedroom house with 1 bed and a set of bunkbeds, 2 kids on top, 2 on bottom and then I was born, crib next to their bed. Then they built on, but only two more rooms! So when the youngest was born, my mom and dad still had two of us in their room for a while! I was only able to have two kids, but I certainly would have had four if I could have….you are truly blest…..
Oh Stephanie, more than being courageous you are being obedient. God chose you to mother those wonderful girls and you listened!
Every year I have the same goal, make one new friend, a real friend. Sometimes they are here for a season, some are here for life. Last years friend Carrie, is a forever friend.
I do have a word for this year. It is compassion. I need to have more compassion. I think it will be an exciting year trying to live this out. I can’t wait.
Blessings to your big wonderful family and thank you for inspiring my creativity this past year.
Simple is my OLW. I love your word. and how RUDE for someone to make that remark about having 4 kids. I can’t have ANY kids, so 4 sounds courageous and wonderful! you do it with flair and class, too. Happy new year!
Why would someone not what four children. Man, people! My word is Commitment!
This is my first year trying OLW. I’m going with “Create”, though I did consider “Complete”, as my ability to finish anything seems to be at an all-time low. My youngest starts school this fall and I’m thinking (hoping) that will give me the time to complete more of the things I’ve created.
As soon as you had twins I had decided you were courageous. Me, not so much. Basically a wimp. Happy New Year!!!
LOVE this, and how it will mean something to you and your family, your adventures & trials. Happy New Year Steph, cannot wait to see more about your word in the coming year! I chose SELF, and cannot wait to explore it, I already have SO many ideas and plans!
Fantastic word Stephanie! Courageous is a wonderful word and the intentions behind why you chose it are amazing. Looking forward to seeing your journey unfold! With much love from another mother-of-four-with-twins-at-the-end. Big families are the best! 🙂
Most excellent word choice! I’m kicking around a few. And what keeps popping up (and just did in your post) is…*think*. Have you done Ali’s OLW class?…..in all your spare time, lol!
Bravo Stephanie! You always inspire me, so that’s my OLW. I hope to inspire others to reach new heights and be inspired by others.
Don’t listen to people who are so judgemental about large famlies….just plain silly. I think your family is PERFECT. Happy New Year.
I love the story behind your word! What a great way to find it 🙂
How rude! I don’t even think 4 kids is a lot. I grew up people that had 17 kids! Now that to me is a lot. Both of my grandmothers had 8 brothers and sisters. So 9 kids was not uncommon then. That blows my mind that people act like 4 is a lot. I have never had someone make a rude comment like that to me.
That’s a great word! My word is Change! We need some change around here. Have a wonderful and blessed New Year! Can’t wait to see your new adventures!
I always think how lucky you are having a big family when I visit your wonderful blog. I love the word you have chosen, especially in Italian, it sounds beautiful. Good luck with your year, I hope it is one of happiness, contentment and courage for you all. CJ xx
I love your OLW, but more how it came about- love, love those wise Italians! I completely relate to not wanting this year to be another one that just slips by- time is thief. Looking forward to what your courage brings for you and your family this upcoming year!
I come from a family of 9 (2 brothers & 7 sisters!) so I can completely sympathise with people thinking a large family is crazy – my family are originally from Africa and back home no one would bat and eyelid at 9 kids, but in the UK it’s… unusual:)
I look forward to seeing how your word pans out through the year & I hope it works out brilliantly for you! I’ve picked ‘BETTER’; I’m a teacher too and with all the work you have to do (planning, marking etc), I sometimes feel like I’m just coasting. So in 2014 I want to BE better, FEEL better, ACT better, TEACH better – just better insha’allah. Good luck!
Love your word in either language (although the Italian version just rolls off the tongue so beautifully)! You already are courageous – moving to another country with four young children, trying to learn a new language, becoming immersed in a new culture – need I say more? Oh, and courageous for writing about your life for everyone to read.
As long as you keep writing, I’ll keep reading. Maybe a little courage will rub off on me. Happy new year to you and yours.
love this word and how you apply it to your life! i still haven’t chosen my word for the year but i want to try and make it stick more instead of only dwelling on it for the first few months…
You have a lovely family and people sometimes don’t think before they speak. I have one child and people say things about having only one to me. I like to think those people go home and smack their heads and wonder why they said that.
Great word! Especially in Italian!
I too have four children (all college age now) and heard all those comments. I have said more than once, I have 4 children because I didn’t want 5 children. That usually stops any more comments! My kids were close 5,3, 18mos and a newborn. People would ask me if I knew what causes that? RUDE! Enjoy your girls, they grow up too fast. My kids are close and great adults if I do say so.
Great word! Mine is blessed. In 2013, mine was breathe. Happy day to you!
The origin of your word is heart “cuore” . I think it is very fitting. Have a blessed, joyful and courageous 2014!
Oh how I love that owner that said courageous to you! I have four children also and get rude and thoughtless comments all the time! Come to think of it, I have never had a nice comment, just crass assumptions. (One of MANY personal favorites, “You must be Catholic”) I really like your statements behind your OLW. I’m sure this will resonate with a lot of women. Great post! I also love that you take us all over Italy with you! This blog is a wonderful adventure. I have always wanted to go to Italy, and thanks to you, I am admiring the beauty through your eyes and creativity and imagining I am there too! You are the Rick Stevens female version with children 🙂 I could comment on every single post, but I am a lazy blog reader, in that I usually have the time just to soak it all in and marvel, without replying.
My husband and I had 4 children in 6 years. It was wonderful! Once when I was out with all four of them and my parents, a man asked my mother. “Are they are all hers? From the same father? My God!” Talk about rude! We just sat there with our mouths open!
I love your word! I am doing OLW for the first time and joined the class…am so excited for it! I chose (or it chose me)…Nurture.
I also have 4 children and I want to nurture them the best I can…my oldest will turn 13 this year and I feel like they are growing too fast and I haven’t taught them enough yet!
I want to nurture my relationship with my wonderful husband. And myself. and friend. and spritually and and and…lots to work on and I can’t wait!!!
I’m also doing OLW and taking the class with Ali. My word is FOCUS and for a lot of the same reasons you choose it (minus the living in a foreign country – I wish!) I have moved from constant on the job motherhood into a mom of grown-ups. There aren’t many tips on how to navigate this part of life either. I am easily pulled in many directions and have determined that I need to FOCUS now on who I am and what I enjoy and what my God-given purpose is. Without FOCUS I end up doing what other people give me to do and feel quite spent and un-accomplished. I hope this word will help me to say no or yes and make better choices for my time all around.
I also want to comment on the large family: I survived raising 4 children..1 girl and 3 boys. The oldest is 29 and the youngest will be 19 in a few weeks. I loved being mom and cried when my oldest turned 18 and I knew that we were approaching the end of childhood. It is a wonderful, hair-raising, push-you-to-your limits journey. My kids were not perfect, we had many challenges along the way. We also were a military family…6 years in the Navy when the older kids were little.
Now my 4 kids are multiplying adding in-laws and grand-babies to our burgeoning nest…and it is even more wonderful.
Well I could go on and on, but my advice is ignore those who think they know better. It isn’t like you are asking them to raise your children for you. Why do people think it is strange to have a lot of children and some how normal to choose not to have any. Raise children who will be a blessing to others and in the days to come many will thank you for it.
I read your other post on why people don’t comment. I guess I haven’t commented because I didn’t think you would really care what some stranger has to say…but I see now that you do. I love reading your blog, your pictures of Europe are awesome, your kids are sweet/hilarious and your family love is very touching. Keep posting!
Thank you so much, Kelly. I hope 2014 is focused and BEAUTIFUL!
that is such a great word for you!! I am torn between balance & forward… still debating each..
Mine is true!