life – Page 9 – ~HB ADVENTURE~

October 27, 2014

On Saying Yes

Say yes to the best, and no to the rest.

I have learned, time and time again, how easy it is to let the word ‘no’ slip from my lips when something is asked of me. Sometimes it might be a big thing and sometimes it might be a small thing, but the habit of responding in the negative is an easy one to develop and hang onto. As a mother, I’m trying my very, very best to say yes when I can and I’m learning that life is so much more fun when I do. I’m not saying yes to toys at the store or junk food around the house, but yes to LIFE and being in the world in a way that my two littles see it.

This afternoon that meant that when Maggie spotted a slew of mud puddles left over from a recent rain storm, I said ‘yes!!’ when she asked to jump in them. We were already on our way home and I knew that everybody was about to get hangry (hungry + angry = hangry) if I didn’t get dinner started.

But the mud puddles looked enticing to that 4 year old little mind of hers and she asked in the most polite way, so we parked the stroller and the two little chickens spent the next 40 minutes sprinting back and forth in the mud. Their smiles and squeals told me they appreciated my yes. We made it home with no complaining or crying and I got dinner on the table without too much drama.

Last weekend my mom told me that she hears me laugh often with my girls. I wasn’t aware of it, but since she told me that, I’ve been hearing my own laughter booming through the house. I’m not certain, but I’m guessing that some of my laughter is coming moments after I say YES!!!

October 11, 2014

We Like to Color Outside the Lines

We are getting back in to the groove of things here, and as I meet up with friends I haven’t seen over the summer, I’ve been asked what we did all summer. Quite frankly, I don’t know how to answer that. We really didn’t do much of anything, but then when I say that I start to feel lame. As if we should have gone on some grand adventure (because who doesn’t love a Grand Adventure??). But as I look at recent pictures, and those that tell the story of the end of our nice weather and summer days, I realize that we had a good, artistic time here at home.

As much as I want my girls to know the world and the life of travel, being home is something that I equally want them to know. Being home and finding that time to be creative or at peace with using their imaginations is essential. We realized that we’d fallen into a rut with Maggie starting to think that she automatically got ‘screen time’ each day and it was becoming a challenge in our day-to-day routine The 30 minute video became a focal point for her and it became a struggle. We, as a family, decided to take a break from any screen time for the month of August and it was wonderful. Having that conversation completely eliminated from our lives was really great. We haven’t ventured into ‘being bored’ yet, but I’m sure some day that will become a complaint….and I’m okay with my kids being bored. Not having ‘videos’ as a way to relax or something to look forward to helped her to really engage in other aspects of her life that she enjoys. (In all honesty, why don’t more adults turn off the TV or set down the phones??)

I play with the girls because I like to and it is way to stay connected and to use my own imagination; however, there’s something to be said for NOT being involved with the imaginative play and having the only sound be the thoughts floating in your head. For this reason, I tend to try to step back and not control what the girls are doing once I’ve set them up with a project. It means that messes get made and toys mixed up, but it also means that they get to be creative without any ‘rules,’ coloring outside of the lines essentially.

No, we didn’t do any humgous trips this year.

Yes, we did get outside a ton.

No, I don’t think I should sign my kids up for more activities. I like them home.

Yes, I think I’m raising amazing children.

Yes, I’m working on saying “yes” more.

Yes, my children are happy being home because I’m happy being home.

October 10, 2014

Family Shot

I’m determined to have a photo book for each year of my girls’ lives for them to look back on when they’re grown. My mom did that for me and my brothers, and there were times in my life that pouring over those books, full of memories, gave me great comfort. I love pictures of people that tell stories, and, to me, there are no other photos more important than family photos.

I’ve had a chunk of time to work on Audrey’s first year photo book (Hello, she’s almost TWO….as you can see, I don’t often get a chance to work on them….but I will NOT give up!) and I came across our very fist family picture of FOUR!! At the time, I wasn’t feeling like having my picture taken, but now I practically settle into a puddle of tears looking at it.

It isn’t a super artistically beautiful image, but to me, the one who gets to have it in the storybook of my life, this picture tells a story. Parts to the story include:

1. I’d just had Audrey a few hours before and was SO glad to get to finallly hold her in my ARMS. The end of my pregnancy was scary and semi-compliacated, so to have it be over was a great blessing. I was an itchy mess, but you’d never, ever know that looking at my face.

2. Maggie, sweet, sweet, Maggie. We had a Big Sister dress for her to wear, which she did, to meet Audrey. It’s long since been peeled off and she was in her undies and a sticker from the nurse. But she was SO happy. We have a video of it, but the first time she held Audrey was something you can’t make up, put in a bottle or sell. She held onto her sister and sang gently to her….the best gift we’ve ever given our childern is the gift of sisterhood.

3. Barry. Look at him. Just look. We’re private about our marriage. But you know what? We’ve loved each other since we were 21 and it just keeps changing and evolving. With that cute little smile of his, I love the image even more. I know he was worried about me towards the end of my pregnancy, so I know that he felt great relief to finally be on the other side of it all.

This was before we knew Audrey was going to be a Danger Cat or that life could, in fact, get better.