Working It Out

“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of.  You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. “

 ~Albert Camus

Do you ever feel like you just need a day off? 

The end of last week I felt as if I had come to the end of my rope, literally. It had been one of the most challenging weeks I have had as a Mom and it just kept heading downhill. Each day would start out promising and then go south like a brick in water. And the journey was painful. 

On Friday night when my husband got home from a long week at work I proclaimed that I was officially clocking out as a mom for the weekend and he was on his own. I needed to get out of the house and be alone, be with some other girls….something other than being a mom. Fortunately my husband is already very hands-on with the kids so he accepted with no questions. Well, he did have one but I gave him the hand and said, "nope, off duty." (I know, not so nice but I think he knew to stay away after that one.)

 I have fortunately grown wise enough to recognize when I need to take a step back and just breathe. I spent the next 48 hours getting to know myself again. Not being held to a time limit or wrestled away from something due to a crying baby or poopie diaper. And, it felt good. Really good.

I always tend to get caught in a funk after the holidays so the timing of my mood was right on schedule; however, different from years past, I also felt as if I had fallen out of touch with myself.

As much as I love being around groups of people, I am wired to need a certain amount of alone time and I had reached empty. Sitting with myself and having time to just roll through the thoughts in my head without interruption was exactly what I needed. After treating myself to a pedicure I went to an old favorite sushi spot for a late lunch and glass of wine. I spent an hour reading my Marie Claire magazine without feeling guilty or rushed. 

As I settled into a state of peace and comfort, I looked around and observed the people surrounding me. Two moms and their middle school daughters were having lunch next to me. Listening to their conversation I realized that my little guys have little problems and was thankful that I didn't have to deal with counseling my kids on bullying and silent treatment from the popular girls. Soon enough the group of moms and daughters were laughing and it made me smile because I was reminded that in the midst of our challenges we can find hope.

A couple of tables away I watched two girlfriends who were enjoying a day together. When they got their check one swiftly picked it up and said to the other, "no, I want to take care of YOU for a change today." The other woman was so touched and it made me get goose bumps. I thought of how much I appreciate my good friends.

(I had these adorable cozies made by The Cozy Project for my best friend and me so we think of each other every morning  although we're far apart.)

On the far side of the restaurant sat two elderly couples. Just before they got up to leave one couple handed the other a gift bag. I never saw what was in the bag but the other couple clearly felt it was sentimental and immediately started recalling distant fond memories of their friendship. All four began laughing and hugging and I found myself feeling joy inside for my own family and friends.

 

As I carefully watched the people that surrounded me during that lunch, I kept receiving pictures from my husband of the treasure hunt he was guiding our kids through while I was away. 

By the end of the meal I felt that my tank had been filled. I walked to my car and just before I left decided to look at Instagram. There I saw a quote from a father to his very pregnant daughter: "...if life travels at the speed of sound, it's too soon silent. Enjoy the noise, enjoy the chaos, enjoy the mess--order is overrated." 

I had made the weekend date with myself because I felt my life was out of order but at that moment I knew it was just as it should be. 

Life is a series of ups and downs but it is the low moments that humble us, teach us and push us to appreciate the rainbows in our life. I put my phone away and drove home to be what God has blessed me to be-a wife and a mother. And for this I'm grateful. 

 

 (Jumping on the bed with my kids: Something I've vowed to do more of in 2013.)

 "Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told:

I am with you kid, let's go!"

-Maya Angelou

Pregnancy, Peace Corners & Possibilities

"When nothing is sure, everything is possible." - Margaret Drabble

In less than two weeks my own world is about to become unsure. In a mere few days I will no longer be making that long trek into the city for work, I will be back at home with my littles and, a new life will be joining our family. 

Although scary, I love that life is full of unsures because, combined with the unknowns in life are 

          big, 

               bright, 

                    new possibilities. 

(Emerson kissing her future little.)

And nothing screams new possibilities like Spring. 

We celebrated its unveiling with a new butterfly and bug sensory box. Filled with green rice and bursting with icky-fun, colorful plastic critters, the container has been a fun source of entertainment for the kids as they use their hands and nets to catch them. 

(Find the recipe for the rice here.)

I also added some of our favorite verses about bugs. I typed these up in Word, cut them out and had them laminated for durability.

We loved having Uncle Josh here to celebrate Sissy's birthday and she knows she has a special place in his heart since he's her godfather. 

Not only did he become photographer, party prep planner, mover and furniture builder, but nursery school volunteer.

He read a favorite book about monsters to Emerson's class to which the kids yelled "again! again!" with delight. The teachers finally rescued him after a three-peat.

But it was just enough time for me to catch this....I love when I capture a moment and this was definitely one of nothing but pure admiration and love.

Hunter's class enjoyed having Uncle Josh read the "Alphabet Adventure" and "Are You My Mother?" (which happens to be one of my brother's favorite Dr. Seuss classics). Hunter ran up and gave Josh a huge hug when he was finished which was heart warming.

The kids have played hard with family, parties and activities abounding. Kathleen found them like this one day at the end of nap time....is it possible to get a cuter picture?

OK, maybe....

Sissy is still enamored with running water and washing dishes. It's the one past time that keeps her peacefully occupied for long lengths of time. 

I tried our first pedicure and she sat so still and patient while I painted on the sparkly-pink glitter polish. 

(That's a very special sticky under those adorable toddler toes. 

It is a reminder that the hubs and I have a date night at 8 pm. 

Date nights are one of my favorites--there's nothing like a little one-on-one time with my best buddy. 

My good friend Amy kept the kids for us so we could have some pre-baby alone time.)

Sissy loves to pull off her socks, bend down low and stare at the shiny-goodness. Aahhh, the possibilities with a girly-girl are just endless for my ultra girly-girl heart!

I have become mildly obsessed lately with learning about Peace Corners after first discovering them from one of my new favorite ladies, Shawn, on her blog (a must-read!), Awesomely Awake.

Raising two head-strong, independent toddlers made the concept of a Peace Corner extremely enticing. 

We all know that peace is not something that comes naturally to children, nor to us for that matter. The best teacher for our kids is to model peace ourselves which I strive to do on a daily basis although challenging at times.

As with most families, my two kids have very antithetic personalities so I know their eventual learned methods for finding peace in their lives will come in different ways. 

When we set up our Peace Corner, I felt it was important to include various items to allow for exploring which ones my littles will gravitate towards. As time goes on I plan on adding more items to our new special place but, for now, here is our sacred little space...

 (Small table and chair, "calm-down" activities; such as, building blocks and a Rubix Cube paired with our Mind Jars, gentle-smelling candle, and "peaceful" reading: Hands are Not for Hitting, Love and Kisses, and Listening Time.)

Right now, my kids are most fascinated with the Mind Jars. As described on Here We Are Together, I've explained how we can shake the jar and, similar to the swirling glitter, imagine our head full of whirling, anxious thoughts and then watch them slowly settle while we calm down.  

 I am on the hunt for a small basket to call our "Calm Down Basket" and hold our calm down activities. 


When one of the kids (or I) feel they need to visit the Peace Corner, they can pull an activity idea from the basket that will help them find peace. 

Hunter has taken great pride in showing our guests his new quiet place. I also get tickled when the kids start arguing or I note that he needs to asked to be excused before bolting from the breakfast table (yes, we practice manners in our house. You can take the girl out of the South....) and he announces, "I go to my Peace Corner." 

I look forward to learning more about teaching peace to my kids and adding to this special new place in our home. 

And, if all else fails, I know some edible-glitter dusted marshmallows will do just fine.

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

You and I are choice-makers in every moment of our very existence. The possibilities of new life, love, joy, true happiness and peace are within us. 

The choice is yours. Will you take it?