When I wait too long in between posts, it cripples me when it comes to ever posting again. I hate the thought of not writing the things I should have, and then having to go back and try to remember them all. I never can remember them all, so I guess I’ll start here.
We are going on year two of very strange Milwaukee winters. Last year was so mild and warm, and hardly any snow. This year has been more of the same, although it was only 5 degrees when I dropped the boys off this morning. Anyhow, one day, a long time ago, we got a little snow. When Josie saw what had happened to our grass she knew just what to do!
She went to the pantry got out a broom and set out to clean up that mess! She is such s little mama sometimes.
**In other happenings around here…
I don’t even know what has been happening. Each day is a blur. We just keep waking up and keep doing what needs to be done. Over the Christmas break Josh wanted to give me a day for myself, because he knew that quite literally, for the next 9 months or so, that would be absolutely impossible for him to offer. So, I took him up on it. It started out great with lunch out with a friend, but then after lunch I didn’t know what to do! Strangely, I had a doctor’s appointment that afternoon, and found myself just trying to “pass the time” until I got to go to the doctor. Being a mom of young kids has really done a number on my ability to stand independent of them all. After the doctor, I was ready to wrap up “me” day and head home, but Josh convinced me that would be a terrible waste of a thoughtful gesture on his part, and suggested I head to Chicago to go to the temple. So I did. It was wonderful to be there. Earlier that day I’d felt so strange being separate from my family and responsibilities there, but when I went to the temple, the identity crisis that I had experienced earlier went away. When I am at the temple, I am first and foremost a daughter, and I was returning “home” so my Father could care for me for a time. It was peaceful. It was rejuvenating. Spa days are nice, but the relaxation that comes from a massage is fleeting. The realigning and peace that takes place in the temple has the potential to change my heart. I left there with an extra spring in my step. Why don’t I go more often?
Our lives are full. I try not to make them so full that I miss opportunities for growth and teaching of both myself and my kids. I think that happens. I try not to say “no” to anyone if I don’t have to. I try not to shy away from things just because it would be “too hard” to do given our situation. As I was driving home from the temple I was reminiscing on our earlier years here in Wisconsin, and of the many temple trips Josh and I made with our two young boys. It was an all day event that required extensive planning on my part, but looking back was so worth it! Sometimes, life gets so full that I feel like we kind of stop living. Josh is in a position right now where he really does have to put life on hold so that he can ensure a life for us in the future. I’m ok with that. Elder Nelson gave us the ok on that, so we are at peace moving forward with temporarily excusing our very busy daddy from much of life, but there is no reason why I have to stop the ride for the rest of us.
My one goal for 2013 is that I do better at making each day separate from the one before and the one that will follow, in some small way, otherwise, where are the memories for my kids? If I don’t, it will be one big blur of getting up and doing what needs to be done. Ech. That’s not good enough. Wish me luck!
