Everything in it's own time.

"I don't know why I haven't figured out how to make this blog a priority. I enjoy it, other people can do it - so what's my deal?"

That's the kind of inner monologue I try really hard to ignore. But sometimes the negativity overcomes, and maybe then, is when I really need to think about the WHY. Why am I feeling this anxiety over something so trivial? I don't want to turn this post into some sort of mental health analysis, but I do want to address that overwhelming feeling of "Why can't I do it all?" that I know we have all dealt with from time to time.

I have this constant need for change. It actually feeds pretty well into my other constant need for a "project", most of the time. But sometimes I take a step back and realize "What the hell am I thinking I can refinish my dining room set and a dresser, get the body I want, make 100 handmade Christmas ornaments, train my puppy, raise two children, make our home, and shower every day for?!" That's like, 3 full time jobs in there. For real. No wonder things start to go slack and the walls* start to feel tighter.

All that to say, that I really do love to write, here and in general, but everything in it's own time. A beautiful friend recently reminded me that I am only going to be the mother of small children for so much longer, and while I'd love to be able to document each and every moment with eloquent sentences and breath-taking photos - sometimes I'd also just like to BE IN those moments.

So I will continue to be an infrequent and random blogger, and probably also a person who continually puts too much onto her own plate, but I will be sure to take the time to reflect and silence the self degradation when it occasionally requires silencing. We all do the best we can with what we have. And I have these two, which is, basically, totally unfair for the rest of you. Sorry. ;)

*The walls. My clothes. Whatever.

M.I.A.

Obviously, you should stop believing me when I say I'll be back in a week to write about such and such. I'd like to blame the delay on a puppy chewed power cord for my laptop, but let's face it, it probably had more to do with priorities and procrastination.

But on that note - I DID IT! I ran the Melissa's 10K! I was really happy with my time and we had a beautiful weekend in Canmore. We got plenty of time to be Auntie and Uncle to Fiona and Cedric because Nana stayed in Sylvan with the girls, and they made us a precious welcome home sign (which I may have only very recently taken down).





We feel so lucky to be able to go away for a couple of days and come home to our babies, feeling refreshed and, not to mention, to an immaculate house complete with empty laundry baskets and closets full of clean clothes! My mom actually apologized for not having washed the floors. Of course we promptly asked her to leave as punishment. :P Seriously though, such a great weekend.

 Our weather has been changing. Mornings are frosty, the trees are getting bare, the mittens and winter hats are out. We have been enjoying our puppy, and the girls don't mind bundling up to walk him in the mornings. Tessa and I are nestled in to our routine of 1 on 1 time Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Elise is, of course, happy as a clam in Kindergarten. She actually won an award in September for being an excellent school citizen, and this Mama may have cried when the award winners paraded into the gymnasium to "Eye of the Tiger". Just. So. Precious.


  She let me curl her hair for School Picture Day and now I want to curl it every day!

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend complete with two turkey dinners, friends and family. Saturday night, our friends Amy and Dan hosted a potluck. The kids played, men watched sports, ladies gossiped and hogged appetizers in the kitchen. Then we had a fantastic meal, the kids decorated sugar cookies and played some more. It was epic times and I know my kids will remember it. On Sunday morning we drove to High River and my Aunt hosted 20 odd family members for another fantastic meal. (They're odd, I mean it.) Nothing makes me feel more cozy than knowing my babies are making cousin/friend/holiday memories and I LOVE a giant family gathering. We stayed late, drove home in the dark and jammied babies fell asleep almost instantly. Top 10 weekend. For sure.

 


We had a lazy holiday Monday, and now lunches are packed, babies are sleeping, and Mumford and Sons are singing me a lullaby. I won't bother trying to say I'll be back in a week or two or whatever because, who knows, what if the dog chews through my new power cord or something crazy?! I will be back though. :)


 

As promised..

I'm back to tell you what my girl thinks of her new digs. Kindergarten, that is.

Since she only goes Tuesdays and Thursdays with the occasional Friday, she's actually only been 3 times. But the bell rings at 8:27 and we don't pick her up until 3:00, so the days are long. She comes home pretty much exhausted and barely makes it through dinner and bath. Her moods have been.... Trying. I anticipated all of this though, and we are just riding the wave of adjustment. The best part, is that she LOVES school. Her teacher is this precious little sprite, who is warm and welcoming - but runs a tight ship. (How could you not, with twenty-one 5 year olds in your care?!)


Needing a Mama back rub on afternoon number 2.

Homeworking.

The first day, she came home a bit upset over the whole concept of recess. At first she told us she didn't want to stop learning to go outside. And when we talked a little bit more about it, she added that there were "just too many kids out there. Like 600." Poor babe was just nervous. We talked about how some things just take getting used to, and that there are always parts of the day that won't be her favorite, but that they are parts of the day nonetheless. The second day, though, her best buddy was recovered from her sickness and met us at the doors. She had a much better time at recess, with Lila to play with. And we haven't heard a word about it since.
  Mrs. Cocks' favorite color is green. So is Elise's, now. ;)

These sisters have actually been loving on each other a lot more often since school started too. Absence makes the heart grow fonder? Whatever is it, this Mama's enjoying the frequent photo ops.
  Morning 2.

Morning 3. Getting chillier.



Tomorrow, after school, the girls both start dance classes again. They are excited and I am happily laying out leotards, tutus and tights and doing bun practice runs.. I love that my girls love dance.
 

I'll be back later this week to talk about the Liebster Blog Award, and this lady, who sweetly passed it to Flaird from her own fantastic blog about family and business, here.

Happy Hump Day.