Well, there is no better way to get started again after a 2 month hiatus then to just get to it.
Since November is the wonderful month of Gratitude, I thought I would post my daily thankful thoughts.
My days have been long and tiring and it is so hard having Jeff gone as much as he is. SO. HARD.
This will be good for me to recognize that great blessings are mine and I have the choice to appreciate them or bask in self pity. I'm choosing the former.
My thankful thoughts today are centered on our health.
In a world full of scary things like cancer, major dietary allergies, and every type of disorder you can imagine, all five of us have our health. Wow. That is pretty amazing.
We have been blessed with bodies that can walk, run, exercise, play hard, and do pretty much anything we ask of them physically. (age appropriate of course)
I have recently read of so many families whose children are born with heart defects, missing genetics that cause rare diseases, cancer, and loss of limbs, burn victims, and a plethora problems. My heart goes out to them. I do not truly understand their pain and the daily frustrations they live with. But I sincerely pray for them, and hold my boys a little tighter when I realize how fortunate we are.
Trials come in many sorts and sizes.
I am so grateful that we have been blessed with our health.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
What dreams may come...
So I dream pretty much every night. Usually they are crazy and I only remember bits and pieces.
A few nights ago, however, I remembered everything.
Because I dreamed I was having triplets.
Yup, triplets.
You'd think that I would be freaking out in my dream state.
I mean, three babies at once - how would I feed them, bathe them, care for them, and oh yeah - take care of my other three children. (all while Jeff is in permanent school/work mode)
But nope.
I wasn't worried about any of that.
The one and only thing I was worried about was what to name them.
Remember how we always have the hardest time naming our kids.
Well try naming three at once.
hahahaha.
It was really funny.
And in case you wondering, I now know what I will name 1 girl and 2 boys or 2 girls and 1 boy.
My dream mind was still working on three of the same gender.
ps this is not an announcement!
A few nights ago, however, I remembered everything.
Because I dreamed I was having triplets.
Yup, triplets.
You'd think that I would be freaking out in my dream state.
I mean, three babies at once - how would I feed them, bathe them, care for them, and oh yeah - take care of my other three children. (all while Jeff is in permanent school/work mode)
But nope.
I wasn't worried about any of that.
The one and only thing I was worried about was what to name them.
Remember how we always have the hardest time naming our kids.
Well try naming three at once.
hahahaha.
It was really funny.
And in case you wondering, I now know what I will name 1 girl and 2 boys or 2 girls and 1 boy.
My dream mind was still working on three of the same gender.
ps this is not an announcement!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Everyday Miracles
A little while back Jeff and I made the decision for me to stop selling my handmade items. It seemed like an easy choice at the time - I had so many orders over the holidays last year that all my spare time was spent crocheting. It was a blessing, but it also was a burden on my little family and they missed out on having their mommy around for Christmas. Oh I was there, but I wasn't really there.
You can read more about that decision here.
Well...a few weeks ago I received an email from Bijou Market inviting me to apply for a spot in the upcoming market. I have done their Fall Holiday Market for the past 2 years and it has always been a great source of income for our family. At Christmas time, that is especially welcome and we have made more than enough to cover all of Christmas/traveling/etc.
So the thoughts started rolling around in my brain: How can we make this work? What if I just stick to the owl rattles and the hats? What if I spend X amount of time per week and don't do custom orders....etc, etc.
You get the idea. We contemplated all of our options and were leaning towards doing the market.
Just this last one. To help. With Christmas.
Except.
Except we had prayed. We had made this decision before.
We felt the peace that comes from knowing we made the right choice.
And that wouldn't go away.
I struggled for a few days.
We are doing okay financially, Jeff has a steady, good job. But we are students. Looking at 3 more years of debt. And this would help with that as well.
What to do...what to do...
Then I read these beautiful words from my sister in her post: Lately. (Go read it. Please.)
She quoted me. She quoted my post about choosing not to work.
And I knew without a doubt that the decision we had made months ago still applied today.
We felt that beautiful peace again and we knew that we could make it work.
Somehow.
Last week, the everyday miracle came.
The assurance that we made the right choice for our little family and our sweet boys.
Jeff's doctorate started this month. He has to have at least two internships. This while teaching seminary 3/4 time and taking full time classes. Usually, they have to be unpaid internships (due to S&I (Jeff's work) rules).
He was called by one of the professors in his program who we respect very much. (He is also in our ward and we adore his family.)
This Professor offered him a paid internship.
And Jeff's work approved.
I mentioned to Jeff that this might have been an answer to prayer and to our decision for me not to work.
Then on Sunday, that *might have been* turned into reality. For a rare moment I was in Sacrament with only one child. Tave was sitting quietly and I was able to really listen to the talk. A sister in our ward spoke on recognizing the everyday miracles that occur in our lives.
I loved her thoughts and what she shared.
But I loved more, the overwhelming Spirit I felt that told me that the blessing of the internship was a direct result of our choice.
Tears came to my eyes and my heart was full.
Heavenly Father knows our family. He knows are needs.
I know that we are being blessed because we chose for my work to be our children.
I am truly in awe of the miracles that occur, daily, in our lives.
You can read more about that decision here.
Well...a few weeks ago I received an email from Bijou Market inviting me to apply for a spot in the upcoming market. I have done their Fall Holiday Market for the past 2 years and it has always been a great source of income for our family. At Christmas time, that is especially welcome and we have made more than enough to cover all of Christmas/traveling/etc.
So the thoughts started rolling around in my brain: How can we make this work? What if I just stick to the owl rattles and the hats? What if I spend X amount of time per week and don't do custom orders....etc, etc.
You get the idea. We contemplated all of our options and were leaning towards doing the market.
Just this last one. To help. With Christmas.
Except.
Except we had prayed. We had made this decision before.
We felt the peace that comes from knowing we made the right choice.
And that wouldn't go away.
I struggled for a few days.
We are doing okay financially, Jeff has a steady, good job. But we are students. Looking at 3 more years of debt. And this would help with that as well.
What to do...what to do...
Then I read these beautiful words from my sister in her post: Lately. (Go read it. Please.)
She quoted me. She quoted my post about choosing not to work.
And I knew without a doubt that the decision we had made months ago still applied today.
We felt that beautiful peace again and we knew that we could make it work.
Somehow.
Last week, the everyday miracle came.
The assurance that we made the right choice for our little family and our sweet boys.
Jeff's doctorate started this month. He has to have at least two internships. This while teaching seminary 3/4 time and taking full time classes. Usually, they have to be unpaid internships (due to S&I (Jeff's work) rules).
He was called by one of the professors in his program who we respect very much. (He is also in our ward and we adore his family.)
This Professor offered him a paid internship.
And Jeff's work approved.
I mentioned to Jeff that this might have been an answer to prayer and to our decision for me not to work.
Then on Sunday, that *might have been* turned into reality. For a rare moment I was in Sacrament with only one child. Tave was sitting quietly and I was able to really listen to the talk. A sister in our ward spoke on recognizing the everyday miracles that occur in our lives.
I loved her thoughts and what she shared.
But I loved more, the overwhelming Spirit I felt that told me that the blessing of the internship was a direct result of our choice.
Tears came to my eyes and my heart was full.
Heavenly Father knows our family. He knows are needs.
I know that we are being blessed because we chose for my work to be our children.
I am truly in awe of the miracles that occur, daily, in our lives.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
In which I let you in on a secret...don't judge me
So I heard something today that made me stop and think. A lot.
And it is this: Shouting/yelling is the new spanking
I get it. And I think I do it.
I haven't meant to. These precious little people in my home are my life. They are THE most important part of me. I love them more than I ever ever thought possible.
So why do I end up being crazy-yelling mom way more often than crazy-fun mom?
When did that happen?
I read two different articles tonight that brought me to this realization.
And I want to change.
This first article is awesome. She explains the things that she is doing to try to be better. And I love that. I love that I am not alone. I think I fill my life with so many things that 'have to get done' that I forget to relax and just ENJOY my kids. And then crazy-yelling mom comes out because I am so stressed with getting everything else finished and my kids are preventing those things from happening when or how I think they should. When in reality, three little boys are the most important part of my agenda.
The next article reminded me that how we act is a choice. The way my home feels is important to me. I want it to be somewhere our family feels is safe. Somewhere we all feel valued, loved, appreciated, cared, for, safe and secure. The place we can come to where we will be understood and listened to.
We have been having serious issues with listening and obeying in our home. I have been SO. FRUSTRATED. I really don't know how to emphasize that anymore. Some days I want to go scream in my room, pull out my hair, and stamp my foot on the floor. Or better yet, throw my own tantrum. Which is what yelling is. My own tantrum.
I realized tonight that this 'listening & obeying' issue is probably a result of my lack of communication skills. (aka: yelling) It may not be entirely my fault (vacations, lack of sleep, lack of schedule, house remodel, and lots of visitors have most likely also been a factor) but I am definitely not helping to make it any better.
So tonight I am:
Setting a goal
Finding my triggers
Coming up with a positive first response
And praying that I can be a better mom
This whole motherhood thing is so much more than I ever thought it would be. More tears, more smiles, more frustrations, more joys, more trials, more hope, more change, more failure, more love. Definitely more love. I hope that no matter how good or bad I may be...they always always feel how much I love them.
(READ THE FIRST ARTICLE...she describes things so well and has GREAT ideas for how to be better and change)
And it is this: Shouting/yelling is the new spanking
I get it. And I think I do it.
I haven't meant to. These precious little people in my home are my life. They are THE most important part of me. I love them more than I ever ever thought possible.
So why do I end up being crazy-yelling mom way more often than crazy-fun mom?
When did that happen?
I read two different articles tonight that brought me to this realization.
And I want to change.
This first article is awesome. She explains the things that she is doing to try to be better. And I love that. I love that I am not alone. I think I fill my life with so many things that 'have to get done' that I forget to relax and just ENJOY my kids. And then crazy-yelling mom comes out because I am so stressed with getting everything else finished and my kids are preventing those things from happening when or how I think they should. When in reality, three little boys are the most important part of my agenda.
The next article reminded me that how we act is a choice. The way my home feels is important to me. I want it to be somewhere our family feels is safe. Somewhere we all feel valued, loved, appreciated, cared, for, safe and secure. The place we can come to where we will be understood and listened to.
We have been having serious issues with listening and obeying in our home. I have been SO. FRUSTRATED. I really don't know how to emphasize that anymore. Some days I want to go scream in my room, pull out my hair, and stamp my foot on the floor. Or better yet, throw my own tantrum. Which is what yelling is. My own tantrum.
I realized tonight that this 'listening & obeying' issue is probably a result of my lack of communication skills. (aka: yelling) It may not be entirely my fault (vacations, lack of sleep, lack of schedule, house remodel, and lots of visitors have most likely also been a factor) but I am definitely not helping to make it any better.
So tonight I am:
Setting a goal
Finding my triggers
Coming up with a positive first response
And praying that I can be a better mom
This whole motherhood thing is so much more than I ever thought it would be. More tears, more smiles, more frustrations, more joys, more trials, more hope, more change, more failure, more love. Definitely more love. I hope that no matter how good or bad I may be...they always always feel how much I love them.
(READ THE FIRST ARTICLE...she describes things so well and has GREAT ideas for how to be better and change)
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Sister
Weston really wants a sister. He talks about it a lot. And not that he doesn't love his brothers. He LOVES them so much. I couldn't ask for a better big brother. He is so sweet and kind to them and truly tries to take care of them. However, we have 'sister' conversations about 1-2 times a week. Here was the latest:
Weston: Mom, are you pregnant?
Me: No, do I look pregnant? (thinking to myself, I BETTER not look pregnant, I have been working waay too hard to lose weight!)
Weston: No, you don't. I just really want a sister.
Me: Oh. Okay, well, we can pray to Heavenly Father and ask him for a sister next. But we will take whatever baby he wants us to have.
Weston: Yeah, but if we get a sister we get to get so many cute things for her. And she'll be so cute. (think of him saying cute in this higher pitched, sweet voice.)
Me: Yup, that would be so fun. :)
Weston: Yeah...
Weston: Mom, are you pregnant?
Me: No, do I look pregnant? (thinking to myself, I BETTER not look pregnant, I have been working waay too hard to lose weight!)
Weston: No, you don't. I just really want a sister.
Me: Oh. Okay, well, we can pray to Heavenly Father and ask him for a sister next. But we will take whatever baby he wants us to have.
Weston: Yeah, but if we get a sister we get to get so many cute things for her. And she'll be so cute. (think of him saying cute in this higher pitched, sweet voice.)
Me: Yup, that would be so fun. :)
Weston: Yeah...
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thinking with my fingers
I'm feeling a bit, oh I don't know, something tonight.
I figured I would start to write down my thoughts and just see what came out.
Jeff and I have been doing a lot of talking lately. Talking about life. About being a mom. About our home. About wanting to move but not being able to. About just enjoying being where Heavenly Father wants us to be. About losing weight, eating healthy, getting fit, completing our family (not yet...don't worry), working, Jeff going to school, the kids, the cars, the bills, the to do lists, etc, etc, etc. About being more and doing more.
We talk a lot.
Sometimes I think we talk ourselves in circles when trying to make life decisions.
I guess what most of it has all come down to is this:
I love making things. I love creating things. I love feeling like I'm contributing to our income with what I do. My online sales don't quite accurately reflect the success I have had the past few months with my business. I do my best at local markets and through word of mouth. And they have kept me busy. So busy. I feel so very blessed to be able to earn money from my home. We were able to get my very special surprise Christmas present because of my little crochet business. So I definitely have loved that aspect of working.
But I also hate it.
I hate that I don't really remember the months of October- December. It was one endless late night after another.
I hate that every nap time, every bed time, every single spare moment is spent crocheting.
I hate when I lose my patience with my sweet, beautiful little boys. Because that happens all to frequently when I'm sleep deprived and stressed.
I hate that my boys don't even have what I spend hours creating for others....Weston asked me the other day when I was going to make his owl beanie (as I packaged another one to ship off). I had to inform him that winter was almost over but I would make sure to make him one when winter came again and he could pick out the colors.
Another day, Ryder reached for the owl rattles I had just completed. He LOVES them and just laughs and giggles whenever he sees them. He started to bring it to his mouth so I quickly had to rescue the bird and put it away in the 'items completed' bin. I handed him his bird rattle (that doesn't have cool ears to chew on) and he quickly dropped it.
I hate that I'm late with every single birthday....My friend's birthday was on Monday and I still haven't brought over her handmade gift because I don't get to make it until Sunday (because that's the day I don't 'work', so I allow myself that day to make gifts for other people, unless of course I just can't bring myself to pick up a hook.)
But more than all of that...
I absolutely hate that I feel like I am failing as a mother.
Weston is going to kindergarten in the fall and I still have not started the Daily Activities Schedule that I've been saying I would do since he turned 2. We have a haphazard schedule at best, throwing crafts in rarely, coloring time usually (because it's easy), playdoh time sometimes, and games even less. I will be saying goodbye to my baby for half of every day and I haven't even done all of the things I wanted to with him.
What is wrong with me?
I have such a short time when I am their world. Such a short, short time to read, to play, to make messes, pretend, build forts, sing songs, and fill our day with everything they deserve.
What is the money I make actually going to get us that is more important than them right now? Will I remember the outfit I bought in 5 years? Or the extra dates we were able to on? (I do think dating is important, but we could do it for much less money). There are some worthwhile things that I try to pay for with my earnings, but the conclusion that Jeff and I have come to is that none of that is more important than our boys early years. We cannot get those back. Ever. Once they are gone, they are gone, and so is the opportunity for teaching, learning, and growing together during those precious influential years.
I have a list of things I want to do that has been sitting on the back burner while I crocheted:
I don't think this list is unrealistic. I really don't. Not if I plan ahead and have things laid out day by day. This won't ALL happen EVERY single day, but I feel like I can make time for each of these by assigning them a part of every week. Right now most of this doesn't happen at all. And that is not okay.
So I am giving up some pretty big things. Like my etsy shop. I am sad. So sad. It's not going to happen right away, and it's not going to be closed forever. Just until my babies are in school. Just until I feel ready to take it on again or maybe not at all.
But I truly feel that I am giving up something good for something even better.
And I am so excited to become the mother I have always wanted to be.
This video made me cry tonight as I thought about what I really want to do and be and what that means I will have to give up. But I can do it and I want to.
This blog made me excited to get going.
This talk confirmed to me why we have been feeling this way.
This picture reminded me that I can do it because I already have it in me.
“Motherhood, is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”
Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. (1965–75), 6:178.
I figured I would start to write down my thoughts and just see what came out.
Jeff and I have been doing a lot of talking lately. Talking about life. About being a mom. About our home. About wanting to move but not being able to. About just enjoying being where Heavenly Father wants us to be. About losing weight, eating healthy, getting fit, completing our family (not yet...don't worry), working, Jeff going to school, the kids, the cars, the bills, the to do lists, etc, etc, etc. About being more and doing more.
We talk a lot.
Sometimes I think we talk ourselves in circles when trying to make life decisions.
I guess what most of it has all come down to is this:
I love making things. I love creating things. I love feeling like I'm contributing to our income with what I do. My online sales don't quite accurately reflect the success I have had the past few months with my business. I do my best at local markets and through word of mouth. And they have kept me busy. So busy. I feel so very blessed to be able to earn money from my home. We were able to get my very special surprise Christmas present because of my little crochet business. So I definitely have loved that aspect of working.
But I also hate it.
I hate that I don't really remember the months of October- December. It was one endless late night after another.
I hate that every nap time, every bed time, every single spare moment is spent crocheting.
I hate when I lose my patience with my sweet, beautiful little boys. Because that happens all to frequently when I'm sleep deprived and stressed.
I hate that my boys don't even have what I spend hours creating for others....Weston asked me the other day when I was going to make his owl beanie (as I packaged another one to ship off). I had to inform him that winter was almost over but I would make sure to make him one when winter came again and he could pick out the colors.
Another day, Ryder reached for the owl rattles I had just completed. He LOVES them and just laughs and giggles whenever he sees them. He started to bring it to his mouth so I quickly had to rescue the bird and put it away in the 'items completed' bin. I handed him his bird rattle (that doesn't have cool ears to chew on) and he quickly dropped it.
I hate that I'm late with every single birthday....My friend's birthday was on Monday and I still haven't brought over her handmade gift because I don't get to make it until Sunday (because that's the day I don't 'work', so I allow myself that day to make gifts for other people, unless of course I just can't bring myself to pick up a hook.)
But more than all of that...
I absolutely hate that I feel like I am failing as a mother.
Weston is going to kindergarten in the fall and I still have not started the Daily Activities Schedule that I've been saying I would do since he turned 2. We have a haphazard schedule at best, throwing crafts in rarely, coloring time usually (because it's easy), playdoh time sometimes, and games even less. I will be saying goodbye to my baby for half of every day and I haven't even done all of the things I wanted to with him.
What is wrong with me?
I have such a short time when I am their world. Such a short, short time to read, to play, to make messes, pretend, build forts, sing songs, and fill our day with everything they deserve.
What is the money I make actually going to get us that is more important than them right now? Will I remember the outfit I bought in 5 years? Or the extra dates we were able to on? (I do think dating is important, but we could do it for much less money). There are some worthwhile things that I try to pay for with my earnings, but the conclusion that Jeff and I have come to is that none of that is more important than our boys early years. We cannot get those back. Ever. Once they are gone, they are gone, and so is the opportunity for teaching, learning, and growing together during those precious influential years.
I have a list of things I want to do that has been sitting on the back burner while I crocheted:
- Weekly schedule that includes: arts/craft time, music time, reading/story time, games, gross motor/fine motor activities, abc's/#'s (Tave), Pre Reading (West), cooking time, pretend play. (doing any of these activities outside once it gets nicer)
- Organize the Home: declutter, SIMPLIFY our space (especially since we will be staying here all
squishedcozy for 3 more years), have a consistent, weekly cleaning schedule, small chores for boys, PAPER, Important Info notebooks - Family History: Get caught up on blog/family year books, boys memory books
- Learn to play the piano and practice
- Photography class/practice with boys (i take pics anyways, just don't do well, ha!)
- Be happier and do better about my calling
- Complete sewing projects
- Be able to make gifts when I want to
- Read
- Get healthy: consistent exercise (that basically goes away when I'm preparing for a Market), try new recipes, figure out a weekly or monthly menu and grocery shopping list
- One on one time with each of my guys
- Feel like I'm doing my best at being a mom
I don't think this list is unrealistic. I really don't. Not if I plan ahead and have things laid out day by day. This won't ALL happen EVERY single day, but I feel like I can make time for each of these by assigning them a part of every week. Right now most of this doesn't happen at all. And that is not okay.
So I am giving up some pretty big things. Like my etsy shop. I am sad. So sad. It's not going to happen right away, and it's not going to be closed forever. Just until my babies are in school. Just until I feel ready to take it on again or maybe not at all.
But I truly feel that I am giving up something good for something even better.
And I am so excited to become the mother I have always wanted to be.
This video made me cry tonight as I thought about what I really want to do and be and what that means I will have to give up. But I can do it and I want to.
This blog made me excited to get going.
This talk confirmed to me why we have been feeling this way.
This picture reminded me that I can do it because I already have it in me.
“Motherhood, is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”
Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. (1965–75), 6:178.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Results don't come for free!
I finally got my rear in gear and started working out again. I don't even want to admit how long it's been. Because of all the orders I've had, literally every spare minute was spent on crocheting (after all the mommy duties) and so everything else went to the back burner. I am ready to take a break and get back to life.
Enter Jillian Michaels. I picked up some weights, her 30 Day Shred dvd, and then told Jeff I would wake up as early as he needed to so he could do it with me. I am highly motivated when I work with someone. It is SO much easier to get going. Not only that, but I had heard it really kicks butt and I wanted Jeff to see that.
oh boy he did.
He used heavier weights than I did and he was seriously hurting.
We're going to feel it today and it feels great!
Since the dvd is only 20 minutes I am determined to get it in every day.
I'm pairing it with a healthy eating plan and trying to add the eliptical in at least 3x's a week as well.
We'll see if this baby weight can come off sooner rather than later.
It's going to be tough, but I know that once I get into my groove I can stay there, I've done it twice before!
And as Jillian says...Results don't come for free.
Enter Jillian Michaels. I picked up some weights, her 30 Day Shred dvd, and then told Jeff I would wake up as early as he needed to so he could do it with me. I am highly motivated when I work with someone. It is SO much easier to get going. Not only that, but I had heard it really kicks butt and I wanted Jeff to see that.
oh boy he did.
He used heavier weights than I did and he was seriously hurting.
We're going to feel it today and it feels great!
Since the dvd is only 20 minutes I am determined to get it in every day.
I'm pairing it with a healthy eating plan and trying to add the eliptical in at least 3x's a week as well.
We'll see if this baby weight can come off sooner rather than later.
It's going to be tough, but I know that once I get into my groove I can stay there, I've done it twice before!
And as Jillian says...Results don't come for free.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Beginning again
It has been 5 months. 5 MONTHS. Wow.
These 5 months have been FULL.
Full of three little boys.
Full of a hubby and a home and all of the wonderful busy-ness of family life.
Full of loving my new baby & having fun with my boys.
Full of book parties. (a business I started when Ryder was 6 weeks old...what was I thinking?!)
Full of crocheting. A LOT. More than a lot: Preparing for the Bijou market (again, what was I thinking?!) Then filling 23 custom orders from the Bijou Market. Then filling 27 custom orders from my etsy shop before Christmas. It was awesome, overwhelming, and time consuming. But a blessing. Such a blessing.
Full of family visits:
July - Ryder born, my parents come visit.
Aug- Spent as much time as possible with Shar & Trav before they moved to CA.
Sep - Jonathan & Rachel get married. Entire Drysdale family comes to Utah. Ryder blessed.
October - Joe & Amanda and boys come visit.
Later in Oct - Shar comes to visit.
November - Bijou Market with Endeemade/Jeff goes to TX and returns with Mom & Dad D for Thanksgiving.
December - Mom & Dad A come for Christmas. Shar & Trav come for Grandma Anthony's funeral and spend the weeks after Christmas with us.
Because life was so busy and full, some things had to go. And blogging was it. I opted for time with my boys over writing about it. But now I'm back and ready to write about these moments before they are gone. One of the things I've realized over the last few months is that my family is more important to me than anything else. More important than money, than a job (even if it is from home), and more important than the time I am giving them. I can't be good at everything, but I want to the best at one thing. And that is being a mom & a wife. They are two different things, but they are me. Who I want to be.
This journal is my way of remembering that journey. My way of recognizing the good days & bad days and coming out on top. I don't want to forget about Ryder's sweet little sounds, and Tave's hilarious antics, or Weston's sweet and thoughtful words. I want to remember every bit of being their mom. And that means I have to come back here and write it down.
I want to be able to look back in twenty years and know that I did my best because I can read about it. I can read what worked, what didn't, and why I am who I am many years down the road.
So here's to the start of another amazing year.
You're welcome to come along for the ride. :)
These 5 months have been FULL.
Full of three little boys.
Full of a hubby and a home and all of the wonderful busy-ness of family life.
Full of loving my new baby & having fun with my boys.
Full of book parties. (a business I started when Ryder was 6 weeks old...what was I thinking?!)
Full of crocheting. A LOT. More than a lot: Preparing for the Bijou market (again, what was I thinking?!) Then filling 23 custom orders from the Bijou Market. Then filling 27 custom orders from my etsy shop before Christmas. It was awesome, overwhelming, and time consuming. But a blessing. Such a blessing.
Full of family visits:
July - Ryder born, my parents come visit.
Aug- Spent as much time as possible with Shar & Trav before they moved to CA.
Sep - Jonathan & Rachel get married. Entire Drysdale family comes to Utah. Ryder blessed.
October - Joe & Amanda and boys come visit.
Later in Oct - Shar comes to visit.
November - Bijou Market with Endeemade/Jeff goes to TX and returns with Mom & Dad D for Thanksgiving.
December - Mom & Dad A come for Christmas. Shar & Trav come for Grandma Anthony's funeral and spend the weeks after Christmas with us.
Because life was so busy and full, some things had to go. And blogging was it. I opted for time with my boys over writing about it. But now I'm back and ready to write about these moments before they are gone. One of the things I've realized over the last few months is that my family is more important to me than anything else. More important than money, than a job (even if it is from home), and more important than the time I am giving them. I can't be good at everything, but I want to the best at one thing. And that is being a mom & a wife. They are two different things, but they are me. Who I want to be.
This journal is my way of remembering that journey. My way of recognizing the good days & bad days and coming out on top. I don't want to forget about Ryder's sweet little sounds, and Tave's hilarious antics, or Weston's sweet and thoughtful words. I want to remember every bit of being their mom. And that means I have to come back here and write it down.
I want to be able to look back in twenty years and know that I did my best because I can read about it. I can read what worked, what didn't, and why I am who I am many years down the road.
So here's to the start of another amazing year.
You're welcome to come along for the ride. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-1.jpg)