This past summer, we visited my family who now all lives in the rural mountains of Georgia.

We traveled to the highest peak — Brasstown Bald.

The cool temperature was a natural escape from the heat.

And the high elevation offers something we don’t always get — clarity.

Where we’ve been. Where we are headed. Who’s around the corner. What sits on that tree top.

If only we could just sit on the mountain of our own lives some days and see what is coming around the bend.

I’ve been enjoying the concept of “Start Where You Are” very much. Beginnings. Fresh, lovely beginnings.

I’m in the middle of one right now.

I chose not to climb the corporate/political ladder and, therefore, my full-time job is likely ending in May.

And so the beginning I’m in the middle of is carving myself a new life not just for me, but for my family.

This new road is rocky and has me wondering if I can sustain Awesomely Awake full-time?

Can I be a full-time Writing Mama again?

Will carefully walking into such uncertainty bring some level of security, at least eventually?

My amazing husband believes we have to listen to the Universe. That it is telling us something.

I’m listening. I’m waiting for the answers.

You are all guiding me. 

I’m sitting and waiting, and as Awesomely Awake as ever.

And while I do that, I continue to be profoundly moved by the growth here.

Pinch me.

I must be dreaming. 

As I work through this personal life change that may very well only be taking me back to my authentic self … here are few things you can look forward to this year.

Parenting Book Club — Our first book will be “Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting,” by Dr. Laura Markham, creator of AhaParenting.com. We’ll start the book Feb. 1 and work through the entire thing one chapter at a time over on my new Google + Community, The Art of Parenting. I’m co-hosting that space with a bunch of awesome Mamas.

More Awake Mama Series — I am terribly behind on these but I can’t wait to get back to them. I have some amazing Mamas lined up.

Project 52: Stay Awake  — Of course, this is happening each week.

The 10-Day Awake Adventure — I will take you on a journey from distracted parent to awake as a family. The only thing you need is to be open to the changes you will find once you begin. This is the handbook for my book, “The Playful Family.” For 10 days, you will discover new ways to connect, engage and have fun together. This will be a Pay What You Can e-mail course with a Facebook group. First Adventure takes off on March 1.

Capture the Moment– The days are long but the years are short and we don’t want to miss a thing. Each day we have a choice. We can float through and survive or we can stand solid and balanced and aware of everything happening around us. This 5-week e-course will be the guide you need to remember in detail all those amazing moments that have passed right before your eyes — moments that you knew instantly you need to remember but haven’t done a think about. Moments where you witnessed amazingness only offered to people who are raising little humans {and who are awake enough to notice}. First session starts Feb. 15. and ends March 15. Registration opens very soon!

The Abundant Mama Project — Of course, more of this. More. More. More. Next class opens Nov. 1.

And, now … I am happy to offer a giveaway of another e-course that I think sounds just lovely being hosted by A Natural Nester.

I just met the author and I am thrilled I did. Because right now, where I am, it’s winter in every sense of the word and taking a little e-course on nature journaling sounds about exactly what I need. So I signed up … and then Liz offered two of my luckiest readers a chance to join in on this e-course as well!

* six seasonal writing prompts to help you discover and connect to the natural wonders of WINTER in your specific environment.

* creative exercises to get you exploring, recording, and connecting to your natural world.

So, here’s your job. In the comments below, tell me what YOU need most right now in your own life, where you are.

Leave your name and EMAIL in the comments below and let’s get nature journaling together! Deadline to enter this giveaway will be this Friday.