Swinging on Birches

So, I have to tell you about my weekend. I snuck out with baby girl on Saturday leaving my flu-ridden husband and son to do some grocery shopping. I went to two stores, strategically chosen based on price and availability of what I was looking for.  I decided that since the rest of my weekend would consist of cleaning up after the sickness of others, canning, and (although I didn't know it then) being sick myself, I deserved a special once-a-month treat of a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. I'm sure you agree. So, an hour after heading out, I found myself in a line at Starbucks in front of 3 young women, all who looked approximately like this. Seriously. They were gorgeous.  Exotic faces and shiny dark hair, perfectly fashionable outfits, waists approximately the size of my left thigh ordering mochas with no milk, sugar or cream (ok, that part may be a bit of an exaggeration...).  But, if I were a man, I would've totally been drooling. And, there I was.

I just didn't think it would be this hard. I thought I'd have years to prepare for these moments...graduations, going to college, moving away, getting married. I never realized these sorts of moments would come so quickly. I was watching Wardie at the playground recently and he was trying to talk and play with some bigger kids. The kids were totally ignoring him. They weren't being mean, they just had their own agendas, their own plans. And he wasn't in them. And my mama heart hurt for him. I mean, come ON!? Why weren't those kids noticing him? He was just trying to play! And, why didn't they think he was the cutest child on the planet? And, didn't their parents teach them manners and how to be kind to younger and smaller kids!? I mean, look at this face... How could someone not  want to hang out with that kid!? But, I resisted the temptation to jump in and reassure him. And, after trying again and getting the same response from the bigg

So, I read this book. And I loved it.   Not only am I particularly interested in crafty sorts of things, but the story of friends from so many walks of life all in different situations coming together was just really refreshing to read about. And, of course, I began to think about my own girlfriends. They're awesome.  And busy.  And I'm busy.  So, I don't see them near as often as I want to as finding the perfect date and time sometimes requires three trillion emails or texts just to be cancelled due to a.sick child, b.exhaustion, c.much needed family time or d.all of the above. And then I read this book. And the solution occurred to me--why don't I stop complaining about how I miss my girlfriends and life is just too crazy and DO something about it!?   So, I did.  I invited ladies that I knew well and just wanted to see a bunch more and those that I don't know hardly at all, but secretly stalk on facebook  would like to for a twice-a-mont

My husband is pretty awesome.  I give him a hard time quite often--not because it's fun for me (although I do find it frighteningly easy...) but I think because he has 'raised the bar' over time which tends to create even higher expectations of perfection.  At least for me. But our life has been pretty chaotic lately.  I feel like I keep saying that, but I swear, it's even more than usual.  We now have a 4-week old precious girl joining her 3 year old brother and we've hosted two large gatherings in the past two weeks.  Crazy.  Really.  I promise there's a point here beyond my busy schedule. One of the things I've learned from my husband as his personality has rubbed off on me over the years is that everything does not have to be perfect.  Seems simple, right?  It would be if I weren't one of those walk into a freshly remodeled room in our house and notice the things I would change or the undone parts.  Really!?  A room we've waited 5 years to

Well, it's been almost 5 months since I've posted.  I have no excuses;) But, quite a bit has happened in our life in that time.  I quit my job and began watching children in our home and besides all of the chaos and transition that comes with all of that, I am now 17 weeks along with Baby #2!  As we never thought we'd have children in the first place, this is a true blessing for us. And, as of today, January 5, 2012, I have now entered my thirties! It's sort of depressing.  I mean, 30 always seemed ancient when I was growing up.  But, being a practical lady (am I old enough to be called a lady?), I figured that I had two choices.  1. Embrace 30 and all that is yet to come in my life or 2. Be miserable forever. Although the latter does have its appeal at times, as I reflected more and more often on all that has happened in the 30 years I've been alive, my heart is full and I am happy with my life thus far. If my life can be as full when I look back on the n