Writing in 2014

Writing.  As soon as I say it, it seems like it should be the easiest thing in the world to do.  I have thoughts all the time that would be brilliant written down.  In my mind, I'm an expert on multiple subjects, but once I sit down to write, I'm intimidated... by what, I'm not sure.  Readers?  More thoughts? 

So, here I am, writing.  Several years ago I had a blog and it was fun to write and my family enjoyed reading it.  Now, I have two kids (what?!?), a career, a house, and more things to tend to than my two hands can handle.  Of course I don't have time to write!  But, this is the year to make time and organize all these swirling, growing, fantastically scattered thoughts. 

Here is a snapshot of my day today:
Colin (8 weeks yesterday) slept til 5 a.m!  After having a small party by himself, he went back to sleep until about 8 when I woke him up to keep him somewhat on schedule for the day.  We did our morning routine after that and got ready for our moms group at church and play time for Madeleine.  We were at the church until lunch time, then came home to eat and take naps.  The ladies in our group prayed that the kids would sleep at the same time and sure enough, today they did.  I did a few calendar things and phone things and just kind of rested.  Everyone woke up and ate then we went to Madeleine's dance class.  That will be a post in and of itself; it's so bizarre, that place.  Then it was home for Colin to eat yet again, and get dinner together.  It was a very quick day.  The days go by so much faster with two.  Like, so much faster. 

Today at our moms group, we talked about our word for the year.  Rather than five or 15 resolutions for the year, what is a word that I can begin 2014?  I really don't know yet.  I don't want it to be something I just make up, but something that the Lord gives me.  I told them today, I feel like 2014 is really fresh; I am done with school, I'm not pregnant.  We are settled.  Nothing is baking or stewing or waiting to finish or happen.  I feel at peace.  Sure there are things that I want to grow and change, but it's a different sense this year.  I already have a stack of books I am really hungry for; I think about what I can write about all the time.  And rather than thinking in terms of Facebook posts or Tweets, I really want to develop those short thoughts into paragraphs. 

I go back to work tomorrow after being gone for 8 weeks, adding to our family, and starting a new year.  I feel like this is the week our new normal begins...  Madeleine declared today that she was "going to be good today" and she actually was.  So I like to think of that as foreshadowing for the week of our new normal... it's going to be good.

Here I Go... Again

Here I am for another blog!  I've blogged before but let it go when a lot of life kept happening.  I love blogs!  I read them and get ideas and laugh and love knowing about other people's lives.  As open as I am, I should do this!  Plus, I have way too many things to say for the likes of Facebook or Twitter.

Today is Monday.  Mondays are the days I tend to worry about.  Mondays don't bring many plans or activities.  Madeleine and I love plans and activities.  So I generally feel pressured to find something to do, as neither of us are very good at staying home.  I read a blog of a Stay At Home Mom who said, "I love being a SAHM but I'm not good at the staying at home part!"  Amen!  But lately, it's really hit me how I am a working mom!  Or at least a part-time working mom.  I really love having my own thing to do.  My world.  My people.  Then I come home ready to be a mommy again.  It's funny how God gives us desires and hopes and dreams outside of the people he gives us, too.

This Easter was so weird.  Madeleine was sick for a few days leading up to Sunday and she just wasn't feeling great on Sunday.  So we went to church for the egg hunt and stayed long enough for me to hear Jack preach.  Then we came home and she napped for a while, but not long enough.  She's still feeling bad this morning.  So we didn't get any family pictures or cute pictures, only a few in her dress with her sick eyes and snotty nose.  I'm pretty bummed seeing everyone's super cute Easter pictures on FB and we are left with the memories of a really hard weekend.  I'm not a good sick-kid mom.  I'm learning just how impatient I am and how much of an agenda I really have.  Praying that God will redeem this time, this weekend!

I just finished Ann Voskamp's "1000 Gifts" and it was so AMAZING.  I read it during Lent and it was truly a life changing read.