So This is Christmas.....And a Happy New Year!

Whew! Holidays are over! Anyone else feeling sad and excited at the same time? This year I realize that I’ve spent way too many holidays being sad, and stressed, and emotional. I’m over it. Done. Finished.  Any of you struggle with taking a few moments to actually be in the moment? Anyone get caught up in sad memories, instead of happy? Or what about those of you who worry so much about pleasing and accommodating others that you lose sight of what really matters? (Here you can insert a picture of me waving my hand wildly in the air, pick me! Pick me!) It's almost as though we spend all year storing up our feelings and emotions, letting the pressure build until we are conveniently surrounded by those who love us most and.....POW! BAM! BANG! 'Tis the season? How about those of you who stress over an extensive Christmas checklist? Cookies –check. Presents – check. Christmas Eve service – check. Christmas lights – check. Drama – check. Tears – check.  Wine – check. Hard liquor – ch….wait, what?

What's Up Wednesday? Randoms - That's What!

Anyone else have a series of random thoughts and experiences traveling through your mind daily? Would you consider them distractions? Or perhaps insightful, poignant thoughts from your amazing mind? I’ll go with both. J I usually need a mid week mind cleanse to get a few things out and make room for what’s going to happen next. That, and it’s becoming difficult to have a conversation with my husband without a 7 year old interjecting her comments. And, I’m pretty sure that he already thinks I’m crazy. If I share some of these things out loud, my craziness will be confirmed and it’s way too soon in our relationship (of 15 years) for that to happen. Thus, this exciting list of random thoughts is presented to you. Enjoy!

 

Writing 101 (or why I have a strange desire to share my feeeeeelings all over the Internet)

Now that I’ve made a personal commitment to writing and posting more on the blog, I figure I should probably take a step back and reevaluate my purpose.  That seems to be my task at hand lately – trying to focus and get it together, on this blog and pretty much in every facet of my reality. And in the process of juggling, I don’t know, LIFE, I’ve had to consider why I think I need to pour out my soul to the wise and wonderful internets. Because evidently I need to add one more thing to my to do list... (or perhaps I’m pensive because I’m trying to avoid all of the work that I really need to be doing right now…..) In any case, let’s chat a bit about why I (want to) write.

A Loving and Genuine Letter Celebrating the Magical Wonderfulness of Teething…

Dear Pearly White Precious New Baby Tooth,

Good Morning. And afternoon, evening, middle of the night – because you are with us all.the.time. While we eagerly anticipate your arrival and appreciate your plans to propel our son from gummy, toothless babyhood to piranha-esque chomping toddler town, please consider the following words of encouragement.

Finding Hope During October's Sea of Pink

October is Breast Cancer month, a time for us to reflect upon and pay special attention to those affected by breast cancer. Sometimes I can’t help but get a little bit, I don’t know, frustrated? Slighted? When everyone is calling for stories of survivors, or accounts of those who are battling breast cancer now, I get a little selfish. We should absolutely pay our respects and celebrations to them, but what about those who fought the good fight and moved on to greener pastures? Rarely do you see celebrations of stories about those who have suffered and lost at the hands of cancer. Instead, we tend look to those stories with pity and sadness.

Traditionally we consider someone alive or a survivor as one who is living and breathing among us. But I disagree.

Everything is Different...

Currently our (re Cadyn's) favorite Pandora station is the Disney station featuring songs from classic movies, including princesses, monsters, and lions. (Side note here – Pandora, thanks for playing inappropriate commercials discussing different types of sexual acts on a kids' radio station. No, my child will not be watching the new season of Girls. Thanks anyway!)

I have always said that the world would be a sad, sad place if we didn't have music – both the instrumental and the lyrics. Music is such a powerful thing! I mean, this Pandora station has taught me to feel the love tonight, go the distance, be prepared, have no worries, contemplate my reflection, paint with all the colors of the wind, listen to nature, and my personal favorite, finally see the light. With that bunch of wisdom on repeat, I think we are all set for lessons in life!

Happy New Year!

For most, January first marks the beginning of a new year. A chance to start over, reclaim those resolutions that have fallen so far behind and begin the year with a fresh start. Last year we said 2011 was going to be a year of much needed change and looked forward the experiences ahead with anticipation. Instead, 2011 has been a year of reflection. No. Excitement? Not really. Anxiety? Sometimes. Struggle? Occasionally. Crying? You bet. How about if we say that 2011 has been a year of who knows what? BINGO!

You see, at the beginning of 2011, Jona and I felt unsettled, but in a good way. We knew something was going to change, perhaps a new job for Jona coupled with a move to another town, or hopefully another baby that we have tried so hard to have these last few years. What we didn't know, however, was that God had something much more important planned for us. Can I honestly say that I accept and appreciate the change? Not yet, but in time (cross your fingers!). On April 17, everything stopped with one phone call bearing the news of our anticipated change – my dad had been in an accident and before the words were said, I realized that he was no longer with us.