life

Christmas Vacation

A couple Christmas seasons ago, after hearing it referenced and raved about year after year, my husband and I watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation for the first time. Confession: We didn’t think it was that funny. There are many Christmas movies I love to rewatch, but it’s not joining the list. (Before I get in trouble for that opinion, as far as cult classics go we are all for The Princess Bride. Our three-year-old, in random moments of quiet, will quip, “Anybody want a peanut?” I’m confident he’s a future fan.)

I’ve slowly gotten back into posting this year and I’ll be back next year, but I’m planning a pause for the month of December. I love this time of year and we try to slow down and keep things relaxed in our house. As much as we can anyway with two energetic kiddos who react to all holidays like Buddy the Elf ready to greet Santa.

May the season bring comfort and peace, and may it have the fun of cozy pjs and favorite Christmas movies, be they of the comedy, classic, or Hallmark variety. (No judgment.)

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Halloween Traditions

My earliest memory of Halloween was the year I was Belle. My grandma, who I was convinced had the talent to craft anything, made me the classic yellow dress. She added colorful jewel embellishments which made it extra awesome. I was shocked to find out not all families participated in Halloween festivities. I knew about the scary stuff, but my Halloween was a Belle dress, free candy, pumpkins, and the Peanuts special on TV. The costume changed, but the fun and sugar overload remained.  Continue reading →

Happy Fall Y’all

Driving home recently my three-year-old shouted, “I’m so excited to go apple picking!” This excitement, the daily question of when we’re also going pumpkin picking, and his intent to wish people wherever we go a happy fall means a dream is coming true: I’ve passed on my love of this season. Double win, the baby’s fascination with our autumnal wreath and other decor tells me he’s on the right track too. I love the small parenting victories. Continue reading →

Out of Office Reply

Between preparing for a family vacation, working on a group project with a looming deadline, and everyone in my household deciding it was a fine time to be sick, there is no post coming this month. (Or can I count this???) Instead, I’m choosing rest. If anyone reading feels overwhelmed and exhausted, I hope this may encourage you to find rest. Whether it be cutting yourself slack on your self-imposed deadlines or trusting that no IS an acceptable answer to what someone else is asking of you.

Rest.

The Story of Summer

Once upon a time there was a mommy who signed her child up to do fun activities. Fun activities he asked and said he wanted to do. Each night before the fun activities, the mommy would prepare all the needed things. Clothes picked out. Snacks packed. Alarms set so the mommy wouldn’t oversleep (as if that were even possible for a mommy of small children with no reverence for sleeping in). Continue reading →

Progress Report: Goals

I don’t have a habit of making New Year’s resolutions, but I did set a few goals for 2019. Now that it’s about to be halfway through the year, I’m happy to say it’s been going well. I’m disappointed in myself, however, to have taken this long to recognize my goals have an alliterative theme. Continue reading →

Nothing

I didn’t know what to write about this month. I even had a break from other projects that gave me a little extra time to sit and figure it out, but all my ideas stayed filed under “maybe later.” To be honest, I really wanted that extra time to relax, so I did. After all, inspiration often strikes when I’m not looking for it. This time? Nope. So here I am, on the final day of May, writing about nothing. Continue reading →

Filling Fear

As a rule-follower, I am often so scared of getting into trouble that even the thought of it is enough to make me anxious. Naturally, I used to think a cavity would get me in trouble with the dentist. Every six months, a pounding heart and sweaty palms would accompany me to my routine dental exam and cleaning, and each visit always ended in relief. The hygienist even threw around comments about my “perfect teeth.” I was consistent in this way into adulthood, to the point where I naively assumed I was set for life. In reality, I was set for 28 years, 42 weeks, and three days. Continue reading →

Every Moment

When my firstborn was seven months old, we went on vacation for a week. A feat, for sure, and full of good memories, but when we returned home, he looked so much older. What the heck was in that beach air?

Now, I look at his baby brother who is too quickly nearing that same age and decide time is a fleeting, fickle thing. “They grow up so fast,” new parents hear from well-meaning family, friends, and strangers. “Cherish every moment.” Continue reading →

Restart

Two years and two kids later…

Hello, poor neglected blog. Life has been full.

Repeatedly, the busier my schedule, the less writing I accomplish. One of my goals this year is to get back to writing regularly, beginning with reviving my blog. I’m starting small, aiming for at least one post a month (sneaking in at almost the last minute, January). I’ll be wrapping up topics and ideas started before my break and am considering a fresh look in addition to new content.

Although a brief check-in to start, I’m back.