I'm not much for New Year's resolutions. I tend to pick at myself—and others—far too much, so the idea of resolutions is great in theory but only sad in reality. However, I do try to think of an idea or a theme for myself at the end of the year. Something that I don't guilt myself about, but something I can stay mindful of throughout the year, and ultimately, I hope, for the rest of my life. I want to reverse the the new year's resolution idea from something I know I will fail at, into a broader, more encompassing feeling or mindfulness that I won't forget or hate myself for occasionally misstepping. I think there's room for being more kind to ourselves, always. (Honestly, that's been the theme of my 20s--learning to treat myself more kindly.) On the other hand, I do love a good solid goal and trust me, I have a few of those. (See new running shoes and healthy eating the last two days. Yay!)  I'm excited about them. I feel energized just thinking about the process of achieving them. But I'm leaving them open and flexible. And private, because I'm just kind of like that.

This last year was another year of incredible learning. We experienced ups and downs but we came out on top and I can honestly say 2013 was a very special, good, good year for us. It started out in a total blur—the first four or five months of pregnancy are a total mess for me because I'm so sick and not myself. But it was so worth it for little Sondre and a really amazing, smooth birth that I will forever be grateful for. We love this new little boy so much. Close behind was our epic summer where I kind of dropped everything and did all the fun things I could think of with Silas. It was amazing. I think it was my favorite New York summer yet. I had the realization that it was our final stretch with just the two of us and I wasn't going to let it pass lightly by. We were going to go out in a bang, because I knew the two kids thing was going to be much, much harder logistically in the city. (That has proved very true. Oh man.) We swam, went to the beach, went to the playground every day, adventured in the city, flew home to visit family, went on early morning bagel runs and late night ice cream runs, watched stars out our bedroom window, read and sang and prayed before bedtime, and watched lots of high-entertainment, low-quality tv. It was awesome. 

I had a million ideas and so many hopes for this blog and only executed one—Sondre—but I am at peace with that because the time I spent with Si and Keenan this last year was special. Our daily life together was simple; we supported Keenan completely; and I focused my energy on taking care of myself, my family, and being content. I have to read and write to feel half myself so I continued to write for Design Mom (my dream job), and began contributing weekly on sweetie Erin Loechner's new site, Clementine Daily (another dream job). The timing was right for me to pull back and focus on our Cummings microcosm. And I loved it. I have no regrets.

But I love a new year. A new season. I love to move the furniture, switch out a few pillows, scribble in my journal, and take note of where we're going. Honestly, by the time the holidays are over, I'm ready for the next thing. I'm super excited for our next chapter. And I'm really excited to share pieces of that here on Original Archiving.

Thank you so much for coming along. I can't wait to share more discoveries with you all—from design and illustration, to internet goodies that are too good to pass up; to personal anecdotes, book recommendations, new brands, and tips about city living. I'll go where the winds (my ever-changing interests) take me and I think that as long as I'm feeling it, you'll feel it too. Best wishes for 2014, dear friends. It's going to be a good one. I can feel it. xo