Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Gratitude
It has been a while since I last posted...life has been pretty busy, as most of yours are. I believe it's a sad aspect of the way our society is set up right now...go, go, go. We don't know how to *not* do things. It's an epidemic.
Even I had been burned out from a very busy year last year, and over the summer resigned myself to signing the kids up for less this year, and to a certain extent I succeeded. But I still found myself occasionally coming across a class for something or other, and realizing we had nothing on that particular night, or at the particular time the activity was taking place. So, I would consider it, and either my inner peaceful self, or my DH, would gently say "Don't do it". But I struggle with not filling up my calendar. But what I have discovered this fall, is that by not having a full calendar, we have time for spontaneous outings, *down-days* (or pajama days), and I have time to practice yoga. The kids also have been doing creative things, that normally they never get finished, let alone started. We have been playing more games in the daytime, baking or cooking together, watching some neat documentaries, playing on the trampoline, or just hanging out together. It's been a wonderful start to the fall and I am grateful for our life together!
Speaking of grateful, a dear friend of mine is having a party tonight. She has been struggling with aspects of her life for a few years now, and is in a much better place now - mentally and physically. This being Thanksgiving weekend, she has decided to have a "Gratitude Party" to show her friends how grateful she is for all they they have done for her and her son. I think it's a great idea. I think we should all have a gratitude party once in a while, to show our family and/or friends how much we love them and are blessed to have them in our life.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Not Camping
Our family was slated to depart for our first camping trip this summer today, but I sit at home with our baby, while DH is camping with our 3 children.
Despite my attempts to protect our baby from the strong sun rays this past weekend while in Liverpool for privateer weekend, he got burned non-the-less. I am not just talking a little burned, but a second degree burn on his cheeks. I feel so bad - I thought I was being very careful, we even purchased a new portable umbrella to take everywhere, and we did. He was only out from under the umbrella for 3 short little walks. Needless to say, I didn't feel like he needed to go camping, especially as hot as it is, and is expected to be.
We didn't want to disappoint the other 3, so it was agreed that DH would take them for the planned 5 day trip. I was thinking it would be good, you know, daddy time alone with the kids, while I would get some alone time with baby, get lots of rest, do lots of reading, eat well, and maybe even write something seems how the house is quiet and I won't have any interruptions - which is my usual excuse for not getting any writing accomplished. But as the moment of their departure neared, I felt tension - almost a panic attack. What would I do all by myself? Who would I talk to? Who would talk to me? I would miss days of my children's life.
Maybe I'm over-reacting I thought. Get over it, and smile as the family minus 2 drive off for a week of biking, swimming, playing, campfires, & marshmellows. I mustered up some cheer, and waved as they pulled out. Coffee...I'll go warm up that 1/2 cup of coffee I've been meaning to drink for the past 2 hours. I can do this, maybe.
An hour later, the phone rings. It's our cell - maybe DH forgot to tell me something...no, it's Connor. He's crying. He says he misses me and wants to come home. I think at first that he's trying to trick me; but no, he's sincere. Oh, this isn't going to help me get through - now I want them to come back and pick me up - but that wouldn't be the responsible thing to do given Lachlan's burn - it's so dusty at the campground (I'm scared he'll get dirt in his open blisters), and there would be no relief from the heat for him. So, I try and comfort Connor, and then Charlie (Liv's asleep). They'll be at the campground in an hour or so, and then they'll head to the beach and start having fun - and not be missing us so much.
Well, 3 long cell phone calls today - ouch, the bill won't be pretty. But what could I do - I missed them terribly, and in a way was glad to hear they missed me too. Connor still says he wants to come home tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure he'll opt to stay.
Me on the other hand...I'm already wondering if Lachlan will be healed enough by Thursday, and then maybe I can get a drive to the campground - or halfway - with friends who are travelling that way...
The house is so quiet, which I thought I'd like for a change, but really I want my noisy children back.
Despite my attempts to protect our baby from the strong sun rays this past weekend while in Liverpool for privateer weekend, he got burned non-the-less. I am not just talking a little burned, but a second degree burn on his cheeks. I feel so bad - I thought I was being very careful, we even purchased a new portable umbrella to take everywhere, and we did. He was only out from under the umbrella for 3 short little walks. Needless to say, I didn't feel like he needed to go camping, especially as hot as it is, and is expected to be.
We didn't want to disappoint the other 3, so it was agreed that DH would take them for the planned 5 day trip. I was thinking it would be good, you know, daddy time alone with the kids, while I would get some alone time with baby, get lots of rest, do lots of reading, eat well, and maybe even write something seems how the house is quiet and I won't have any interruptions - which is my usual excuse for not getting any writing accomplished. But as the moment of their departure neared, I felt tension - almost a panic attack. What would I do all by myself? Who would I talk to? Who would talk to me? I would miss days of my children's life.
Maybe I'm over-reacting I thought. Get over it, and smile as the family minus 2 drive off for a week of biking, swimming, playing, campfires, & marshmellows. I mustered up some cheer, and waved as they pulled out. Coffee...I'll go warm up that 1/2 cup of coffee I've been meaning to drink for the past 2 hours. I can do this, maybe.
An hour later, the phone rings. It's our cell - maybe DH forgot to tell me something...no, it's Connor. He's crying. He says he misses me and wants to come home. I think at first that he's trying to trick me; but no, he's sincere. Oh, this isn't going to help me get through - now I want them to come back and pick me up - but that wouldn't be the responsible thing to do given Lachlan's burn - it's so dusty at the campground (I'm scared he'll get dirt in his open blisters), and there would be no relief from the heat for him. So, I try and comfort Connor, and then Charlie (Liv's asleep). They'll be at the campground in an hour or so, and then they'll head to the beach and start having fun - and not be missing us so much.
Well, 3 long cell phone calls today - ouch, the bill won't be pretty. But what could I do - I missed them terribly, and in a way was glad to hear they missed me too. Connor still says he wants to come home tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure he'll opt to stay.
Me on the other hand...I'm already wondering if Lachlan will be healed enough by Thursday, and then maybe I can get a drive to the campground - or halfway - with friends who are travelling that way...
The house is so quiet, which I thought I'd like for a change, but really I want my noisy children back.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
June28
Welcome - I am dipping my toes in the sea of blogging...not sure what I expect to gain from the experience, except to get into a habit of writing more and to document a hopeful progression of change in my life - in my mental, spiritual, and physical way of being - or not being.
I have just started reading "Raising our Children, Raising Ourselves" - thinking it will give me some real concrete ways to improve my parenting through taking a deeper look into my way of being and responding to the world around me.
My first goal is to be more patient with myself. I tend to get very down on myself when I've made a mistake, or failed to get done what I planned to.
I have 4 children - the oldest being 9 and the youngest being 14 weeks. I feel I've made alot of mistakes in parenting my 9 year old. Much of the work to be done is in how I react to him. First step - take a moment before reacting - think about the words I almost said - are they relevant, constructive, and respectful? Or are they linked to something deeper - maybe from my childhood, that serve no function in the moment, but instead work to create distance in our relationship?
I have just started reading "Raising our Children, Raising Ourselves" - thinking it will give me some real concrete ways to improve my parenting through taking a deeper look into my way of being and responding to the world around me.
My first goal is to be more patient with myself. I tend to get very down on myself when I've made a mistake, or failed to get done what I planned to.
I have 4 children - the oldest being 9 and the youngest being 14 weeks. I feel I've made alot of mistakes in parenting my 9 year old. Much of the work to be done is in how I react to him. First step - take a moment before reacting - think about the words I almost said - are they relevant, constructive, and respectful? Or are they linked to something deeper - maybe from my childhood, that serve no function in the moment, but instead work to create distance in our relationship?
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