My friend Jenny told me her New Year’s resolution was to make her home a haven for her family. A place where her kids feel safe and cherished and her husband can come home after a long day at work and feel relaxed and content. And it got me thinking what a wonderful goal that would be to make for myself. I am usually wound so tight and I know this will take great effort on my part, but I am determined to make our home a happy place not just for 2014, but for always.

So I woke up with a very specific intention today. I resolved not to yell at the kids. I promised myself I would take time out to play with them. Since it’s the weekend and Scott doesn’t work, I would take a minute to do something I enjoy so that I feel recharged. I would make a healthy dinner which we would sit down to eat as a family. And I would exercise as much patience as possible with everyone.

So I played Legos at 7:30 this morning for forty-five minutes, went to my Pilates class then came home to shower, fed the kids lunch, played with Grace and then went to Whole Foods. I bought all organic ingredients to make spaghetti and meatballs and a big colorful salad and a threw a pretty, little chocolate cake into the cart as well. I brought it all home, showed Noah and Luke the “prize” if they would eat a good, healthy dinner. And they were jumping up and down with excitement. Luke helped me set the table. We said prayers as a family before we ate.

The warmth was palpable as we sat around the table. Then magic happened. They ate my spaghetti and meatballs for dinner! The two pickiest eaters on the planet ate real food that didn’t have a speck of peanut butter or jelly on it. And they ate every, single bite! Scott closed his eyes with joy (which is what he does when he’s really enjoying a meal) and practically licked his plate clean. He had just come in from shoveling the driveway and had broken the shovel against the heavy snow. Of course Gracie ate and loved it as well and everyone- including Gracie- enjoyed a slice of rich chocolate cake afterward.

I was in heaven. Our house felt so warm and happy. And now Scott and I are lounging in the living room in front of a toasty fire, feeling truly blessed. It made that day when Luke fell out of a chair and knocked his tooth on the counter top a few weeks ago seem like a distant memory. And while I know there will still be tough days head, I am truly grateful for all of the things that went right today.

(Thank you for inspiring me, Jenny!)