Sip Slowly!

Just wanted to say hello! As I rushed around this morning, getting the kids ready for school drop-off, my tax appointment, and whatever else inevitably crept onto my must-do list...I stopped.

For one brief moment, I let myself take a deep breath and refocused. As soon as my coffee had finished brewing, I poured my "rocket fuel" into the prettiest Vera Bradley mug with matching coaster/warming top ever! One of my dear clients had given it to me for Christmas, and I adore it.

No matter how crazy things are, or how hectic my day becomes, I always try to make something seemingly insignificant turn into a special moment for myself. Even if it turns out I slug my coffee out of a pretty mug!

So, as we moms often find, the kids always come first. But that doesn't mean we should always come last!

Grab a pretty cup and sip slowly, even if it is just one sip in the middle of a morning vortex!

100 Days of Kindergarten

I was asked to be a parent volunteer at my daughter's school to celebrate reaching 100 days in kindergarten. Today was the day, even though we were technically at 99 due to a snow day on Monday!

Since I went to kindergarten in, oh, 1982, things have changed! I went for half a day, ate snack, played dress up, did crafts and, on occasion, peed my royal-blue corduroy pants.  I think we even napped! All that action in three hours.

We did learn letters and listen to stories, but I am positive we didn't do anything like these kiddos until we got to first or second grade! And need I mention we did not have computer lab, either, since computers did not exist then! (Haha, they did, but obvs not for that capacity!) I was sent a list of kid-friendly web sites that my child works with, so we can have continuity at home!

Whatever the case for public, private, testing, consolidation, I'll tell you this: I am the proud mama of a kindergartener. Her world is expanding as fast as her mind, and I am grateful I have the flexibility to be wherever she needs me to be. I will never apologize for working just two to three days a week.

Well, here's to the last 80 days of kindergarten for Darby! Did I mention we register Gabe for his turn in the big K in March? Yeah, remember my ugly cry face? Just saying, I don't think anyone is prepared for that one! Hahaha!

Love your kids no matter what,
Lindsay

Sweet Home

I am so grateful to be home with my darlings almost full-time.  I feel like the luckiest mama because I get to have a creative and flexible job outside of the house as well as be able to take care of my home and family!  Things have been so different for us lately since my hubby has changed jobs.  He loves his new role and we are all transitioning more smoothly than anyone could have anticipated!  It is such a nice feeling to see all our hard work and sacrifice paying off, finally!

Just wanted to say a quick hello!  Hope you are having a great day!
L

Decisions, decisions

It doesn't have to be all or nothing. Real life rarely is. But sometimes you just have to make some sort of decision...and make it work. All this time I have been trying to figure out a way to make raising my kids, working and going to school work...the traditional methods I have been looking at have really been all or nothing. I have finally found a part time evening program that begins in the spring that fits my families priorities (being with our children) and current financial needs (being able to pay the bills!)

When I actually made the call to sign up for admission testing, I really didn't know how we were going to cover the cost of school, if financial aid was available, how much hair I would have to cut to pay the credit card if we had to use that (please don't judge--it would have been the last resort...) But once I made the decision to just DO it, everything has been falling into place. Financial aid is available, the schedule fits, and I get to start working on my future, without losing out on being with my children or my necessary income! I have found the best compromise for my life now and my life in the future...all I had to do was decide that I deserved it.

Patience

I am trying to breathe. It's quite alarming, at times, when I realize there seems to be no oxygen in my body. Some days are harder than others, with toddlers you never can tell! I have learned so much about myself as a person by being a parent. Some things I don't like as much, and I embrace the opportunity to improve myself as a human. My children deserve the best mommy in the world, and I have to admit, I struggle with patience sometimes.

I try to roll with things, but I am not very laissez-faire. I am planning a career change into nursing, but it will be another two years until I can begin school. I try to be patient and just enjoy each day as it comes, knowing that one day, my kids will be in chool and I will have the perfect opportunity at that point to go to school myself. But some days I just want to change it all! Not my husband, home, children, but just kind of reset my career button. Nothing I've done is a waste, but I just wish I had done a little more career planning when I was younger.

That is when I need to breathe and dig a little deeper for patience. My favorite thing is to be home with my babies. But since I have to work as well, I just need to remember that these are the things that I need to do to take care of my family. When I do continue my education, it will be for the same reason...to take care of my family. But I will also have the chance to take care of myself a little better, too. After all, I don't want to worry away these precious years that I have my babies all to myself! Once they start Kindergarten, they'll literally be in school for the next 18 years, with college. If they have the rest of their lives for school, then I guess I do too!! So I will harness Guns n Roses and try for just a little patience!!