I was watching "Dateline" last night and it was a repeat, but the point of the show was to observe children in a mostly natural environment to see how they would react to things such as bullies and strangers at the door. There was another part to it about teens getting into a car with someone they think has been drinking, but I didn't watch that part.
Some of what I saw made me think about how I'm teaching my kids to respond to bullying and/or strangers. Kara is to the point in her life where she wants to answer the door and phone. Most of the time it isn't a big deal. But there are moments when we are home and I'm not near the front door that she bolts to the door to open it for whomever is knocking. This is what scares me. Teaching children about "stranger danger" doesn't just apply to when they are at school, park, friends houses, or stores. This directly effects ,and most importantly, the safe haven of your home.
One would think that if someone is knocking at your door they would not have ill intentions, but in this day and age, that is just not true. Granted most in home burglaries or kidnappings are not random, but it's scary nonetheless.
So anyway, I was saying to my self "Self, you really should hone in on education about door knocks." In all seriousness, repetition about what is expected and hoped for is the key to success about opening the door to a knock. Aaron even wants to stage a practice for Kara, to encourage her to make the right choice, no matter who is at the door. It is hard to not open the door for people who claim to be police, firemen, etc., but teaching your children to call the 911 operator to verify the emergency worker would help in this situation. It's not wrong!!!
Bullying is a completely different circumstance. I believe that I have taught Kara, and I'm now in the process of teaching Mason, to be kind to everyone. To accept everyone for who and what they are and that in no circumstances is it Okay to be mean to anyone. I asked her this morning what she should do if she witnesses "Joe" being mean to "Bart" (imaginary people to only entice the moral behavior I'm seeking and not making it personal to her) She said she should tell a grown up .. good response. Then she asked me who Joe and Bart were. LOL
So then I "princessed" it up for her about Rapunzel and Cinderella. A second response enticed her to say that it's not okay for Rapunzel to be mean to Cinderella, and that she would never be mean to Cinderella cause she's a pretty princess! HAHAHA
So I took to a personal level with her at her school, since this is a place where most bullying takes place. According to the report on Dateline last night 85% of a student population are witness bystanders. These are the most powerful people in a circumstance of bullying. They have the power to step in and befriend, distract, or tell a teacher. But the sad part is, most don't. I asked her if "George" was being mean to "Dave" (names have been changed from the students' real names) what should she do? She said to tell George to stop being mean and if it didn't stop and/or got worse to tell Miss Jess. I asked her should she play with Dave? She said yes that would make him happy.
At 5 years old Kara is already, unknown to her, aware of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. I am proud of her and hope that I can repeat the education with my boy. He's a storm to be calmed. =) I hope that parents learn that education about bullying and strangers needs to begin LONG before children are ever in a situation where they would need that knowledge. Kindergarten is the wrong time to teach about bullying. It needs to begin when your child starts playing and socializing with other children.
Peace.
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
What's that smell?
I often wonder what possesses us to have more than one child, but then I remember the desire for one more kid to love, one little boy was my desire. I got him. =) And while I love my kids to the deepest depths of my heart, they might be (and mostly are) the cause of what I call Mental Case Mommy!
My kids are like 3 years and 5ish months apart in age. A pretty good spacing in my opinion. One out of diapers, one in; one able to talk back, one able to scream; one willing to help clean up, one willing to make the mess; one to eat all his or her food while the other throws the plate in disgust. I mean honestly, who wouldn't want to experience this. ;)
Most days in my house go like this:
Wake up at the butt crack of dawn to Kara in the bathroom and Mason screaming for food from his bed. And for the most part, I enjoy their independence and ability to let me know what they need and when they need it, but honestly, the last thing I want to wake up to is the screeching of "FOOODDDDIIIEEE!!!!" from down the hall! But let's say I don't get to him fast enough, maybe I need to use the bathroom before I leave the safe confines of my own bedroom. Before I know it, I have Kara in my room telling me Mason is awake (thanks for the obvious point out sweetheart). Yep, I am the lucky potty performer with a constant audience. =) Where was I, oh yeah .. Mason .. if I don't get to him quick enough, I will soon be listening to the banging on his door coupled with the yell of "FOOOODDDIIEEE!!!" that is slightly muffled because he found his pacifier in his bed before ditching the bed.
When I finally get to him and open his door I'm typically greeted with a foul smell. Please don't ask what it is .. use your imagination. All the way down the stairs Kara is telling me that she is going to cook breakfast this morning and that she would like hard-boiled eggs for breakfast and that Mason stinks. Then she proceeds to tell me about all the things on her mind. Having a conversation with my 5 y/o is like having a conversation with a box of talking crayons. Speaking of crayons .. they do change poop colors if consumed in large quantities.
Where was I, oh yea .. Kara's conversation abilities. Surprisingly she makes a lot of sense to me. I find the waking up to colorful conversations with her are intriguing and inspiring at the same time. You wouldn't believe how much you can learn from your children's nonsense conversation if you listen carefully. They will tell you all sorts of things about themselves.
Oh back to my day, so before I can even have my first cup of coffee I've been demanded to make breakfast. So I quickly set my kids up with a piece of fruit .. as Mason has been demanding a "nana nana nana" the whole way down the stairs. But before I can even do that, I have to change that source of stench that greeted me when I opened Mason's bedroom door.
Where was I going with this post, hmm .. I forget, but I suppose that is a significant source of my Mental Case Mommy syndrome. I am a definite struggling survivor with severe mommy brain. You know that thing that you lose when you have kids. I only have 2 kids I can only imagine how severe it gets with more subsequent children.
I had a point today with my blog, but I can't remember where I was going with this. Having my two kids has been a great experience with a ton (and I mean I lost count) of interesting experiences. And by interesting I mean .. those times when you think .. "I'm throwing the towel!"
Going from one child to two is extremely different. It was literally a slap in the face eye-opening experience. With one, everything is mostly simple. You get a schedule going pretty early in their life, you're only managing one child at the store, restaurant, church, etc. You only have to worry about the care for one child. Finding a babysitter is the easiest task, going on vacation is easy cause you only have to buy one row of seats on a plane (instead of 4 seats not together). Ya know .. you'd think that airlines would do an even amount of seats together instead of an odd number. I mean seriously .. how many people travel in multiples of 3? My guess is not very many.
Anyway, back to my point, whatever that was. Juggling the two of them has made me realize that a schedule isn't completely necessary, the house doesn't have to be spotless (for now), though I'm 100% opposed to being late for anything, I'm late for everything now. Pre-feeding kids is Okay to do before you go to a restaurant, carrying an arsenal of treats in the car is a MUST! Predicting the outcome of a situation becomes an art. Knowing where BOTH of your kids are at the same time is a magic trick. But the most interesting part of having two kids is finding that you can operate best under an extreme amount of pressure and come out shining like a diamond.
My husband is amazed that our house is not an exact replica of a dump site when he comes home from work. Our kids are active all day and keep me on my toes. I'm constantly picking up after them, all while trying to teach them how to pick up after themselves. He is also amazed that I get anything else done that doesn't directly involve my kids. When life was just about Kara, things were so much easier. My house was spotless (I'm a closet neat freak), the beds were always made, toys picked up, dishes put away, no funny scents hanging about unable to be narrowed down to a location, her toys were OCD organized, my laundry was done, there wasn't clutter on my kitchen counter or dining table. Awe .. the life with one child is so blissful, right?!?!
Add in number 2, and make him a boy! All of that goes OUT the winder.. Yes I just said winder cause that's what I typed. HAHAHA! Anyway, my focus is now on keeping BOTH safe, happy, and entertained. My house is still MOSTLY cleaned, though I'm preparing for the day when I'm able to keep it at my preferred standards again. My laundry isn't usually done all in one day, my counter and table are littered with crap, toys are not OCD organized, and sometimes (okay a lot of times) I simply cannot locate the source of a smell. HAHAH
In all, life with two is better than one. I wouldn't trade them for the world. But man I'd love a vacation!
Peace.
My kids are like 3 years and 5ish months apart in age. A pretty good spacing in my opinion. One out of diapers, one in; one able to talk back, one able to scream; one willing to help clean up, one willing to make the mess; one to eat all his or her food while the other throws the plate in disgust. I mean honestly, who wouldn't want to experience this. ;)
Most days in my house go like this:
Wake up at the butt crack of dawn to Kara in the bathroom and Mason screaming for food from his bed. And for the most part, I enjoy their independence and ability to let me know what they need and when they need it, but honestly, the last thing I want to wake up to is the screeching of "FOOODDDDIIIEEE!!!!" from down the hall! But let's say I don't get to him fast enough, maybe I need to use the bathroom before I leave the safe confines of my own bedroom. Before I know it, I have Kara in my room telling me Mason is awake (thanks for the obvious point out sweetheart). Yep, I am the lucky potty performer with a constant audience. =) Where was I, oh yeah .. Mason .. if I don't get to him quick enough, I will soon be listening to the banging on his door coupled with the yell of "FOOOODDDIIEEE!!!" that is slightly muffled because he found his pacifier in his bed before ditching the bed.
When I finally get to him and open his door I'm typically greeted with a foul smell. Please don't ask what it is .. use your imagination. All the way down the stairs Kara is telling me that she is going to cook breakfast this morning and that she would like hard-boiled eggs for breakfast and that Mason stinks. Then she proceeds to tell me about all the things on her mind. Having a conversation with my 5 y/o is like having a conversation with a box of talking crayons. Speaking of crayons .. they do change poop colors if consumed in large quantities.
Where was I, oh yea .. Kara's conversation abilities. Surprisingly she makes a lot of sense to me. I find the waking up to colorful conversations with her are intriguing and inspiring at the same time. You wouldn't believe how much you can learn from your children's nonsense conversation if you listen carefully. They will tell you all sorts of things about themselves.
Oh back to my day, so before I can even have my first cup of coffee I've been demanded to make breakfast. So I quickly set my kids up with a piece of fruit .. as Mason has been demanding a "nana nana nana" the whole way down the stairs. But before I can even do that, I have to change that source of stench that greeted me when I opened Mason's bedroom door.
Where was I going with this post, hmm .. I forget, but I suppose that is a significant source of my Mental Case Mommy syndrome. I am a definite struggling survivor with severe mommy brain. You know that thing that you lose when you have kids. I only have 2 kids I can only imagine how severe it gets with more subsequent children.
I had a point today with my blog, but I can't remember where I was going with this. Having my two kids has been a great experience with a ton (and I mean I lost count) of interesting experiences. And by interesting I mean .. those times when you think .. "I'm throwing the towel!"
Going from one child to two is extremely different. It was literally a slap in the face eye-opening experience. With one, everything is mostly simple. You get a schedule going pretty early in their life, you're only managing one child at the store, restaurant, church, etc. You only have to worry about the care for one child. Finding a babysitter is the easiest task, going on vacation is easy cause you only have to buy one row of seats on a plane (instead of 4 seats not together). Ya know .. you'd think that airlines would do an even amount of seats together instead of an odd number. I mean seriously .. how many people travel in multiples of 3? My guess is not very many.
Anyway, back to my point, whatever that was. Juggling the two of them has made me realize that a schedule isn't completely necessary, the house doesn't have to be spotless (for now), though I'm 100% opposed to being late for anything, I'm late for everything now. Pre-feeding kids is Okay to do before you go to a restaurant, carrying an arsenal of treats in the car is a MUST! Predicting the outcome of a situation becomes an art. Knowing where BOTH of your kids are at the same time is a magic trick. But the most interesting part of having two kids is finding that you can operate best under an extreme amount of pressure and come out shining like a diamond.
My husband is amazed that our house is not an exact replica of a dump site when he comes home from work. Our kids are active all day and keep me on my toes. I'm constantly picking up after them, all while trying to teach them how to pick up after themselves. He is also amazed that I get anything else done that doesn't directly involve my kids. When life was just about Kara, things were so much easier. My house was spotless (I'm a closet neat freak), the beds were always made, toys picked up, dishes put away, no funny scents hanging about unable to be narrowed down to a location, her toys were OCD organized, my laundry was done, there wasn't clutter on my kitchen counter or dining table. Awe .. the life with one child is so blissful, right?!?!
Add in number 2, and make him a boy! All of that goes OUT the winder.. Yes I just said winder cause that's what I typed. HAHAHA! Anyway, my focus is now on keeping BOTH safe, happy, and entertained. My house is still MOSTLY cleaned, though I'm preparing for the day when I'm able to keep it at my preferred standards again. My laundry isn't usually done all in one day, my counter and table are littered with crap, toys are not OCD organized, and sometimes (okay a lot of times) I simply cannot locate the source of a smell. HAHAH
In all, life with two is better than one. I wouldn't trade them for the world. But man I'd love a vacation!
Peace.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Binky Battle: The Real Reason I Cave
It's probably time I take the pacifier from Mason once and for all, but I can't seem to bring myself to remove the "numnum" from him. It has nothing really to do with his crying or whimpering for it in the middle of the night, or the lack of sleep we'll get for days and nights. Or that every time he puts in his mouth he wants to snuggle up on my shoulder with a blanket wrapped around him. Okay, maybe that last reason has a lot to do with it.
The truth is, he is my last baby. I can't have more kids. And while a lot of people will jump on the "be grateful for what you got" bandwagon let me elaborate a little more about how I'm feeling about this, before you start to accuse me of ungratefulness.
I always wanted 3 or 4 kids, I loved being pregnant with Mason. I love holding my newborn for the first time touching their fingertips, kissing their noses, wrapping them tight into a little human burrito. Meeting for the first this person that has been growing inside of me for nine months. Seeing for the first time their facial features, trying to figure out who they look like more; me or Aaron. Laying on the couch completely exhausted only to be lulled to sleep by the sleeping baby's breathing in and out on my chest.
Why do I cave on the "numnum?" Because I don't want to lose my last baby. Kids grow up too fast, and before you know it they are off and leaving for college. Mason is my boy, MY baby boy. I have a really hard time with digesting the fact that never again will I get to feel those exciting kicks inside my belly, or get the sleepless nights because of a hungry baby (Okay maybe not so much that one). Or watch my own baby learn to crawl, walk, talk for the first time. Taking away the pacifier is a right-of-passage. It means he's done needing that comfort from the pacifier. It means he's growing up. It means that I'm done raising babies to toddlers. And this saddens me.
The truth is, he is my last baby. I can't have more kids. And while a lot of people will jump on the "be grateful for what you got" bandwagon let me elaborate a little more about how I'm feeling about this, before you start to accuse me of ungratefulness.
I always wanted 3 or 4 kids, I loved being pregnant with Mason. I love holding my newborn for the first time touching their fingertips, kissing their noses, wrapping them tight into a little human burrito. Meeting for the first this person that has been growing inside of me for nine months. Seeing for the first time their facial features, trying to figure out who they look like more; me or Aaron. Laying on the couch completely exhausted only to be lulled to sleep by the sleeping baby's breathing in and out on my chest.
Why do I cave on the "numnum?" Because I don't want to lose my last baby. Kids grow up too fast, and before you know it they are off and leaving for college. Mason is my boy, MY baby boy. I have a really hard time with digesting the fact that never again will I get to feel those exciting kicks inside my belly, or get the sleepless nights because of a hungry baby (Okay maybe not so much that one). Or watch my own baby learn to crawl, walk, talk for the first time. Taking away the pacifier is a right-of-passage. It means he's done needing that comfort from the pacifier. It means he's growing up. It means that I'm done raising babies to toddlers. And this saddens me.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Multiple Personality Mom
I've been thinking a lot lately about me as a mom, me as a wife, me as a friend, and me as me. There are a lot of people in there. But they are all me. Perhaps a psychiatrist would diagnose me multiple-personality or some sort of disorder like that. And I think that, in this respect, it would be an accurate account to my mental state (and all mothers for that matter).
It's funny how quickly we become more than who we thought we were and nothing we recognize. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom and a wife. I have only two children versus some of my friends with 3+. And though I wanted more, I'm sure that there is a reason, a very logical reason, that I only have two. I see the light when I lose my patience, when I feel like the day isn't going to end, when I look at my kids and only see monsters. Okay Okay, they aren't physically monsters, but you know those days where they pull the "momma momma momma momma mom mom mom ..." "WHAT!?!?" "Hi." Oh my gosh, those days are the days that nearly push me over the cliff, and just when I'm about to voluntarily jump, it's bedtime.
Then I sigh, and suddenly all the anxiety and frustration that has built up over the entire day fades away into a mist and I'm ready to do it all over again the very next day. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. But really I just love and adore my kids. They can be the most frustrating and yet the most rewarding aspect in my life. Especially when Kara says "Mom I have a secret for you" and then whispers in my ear that she loves me .. or when Mason blows me kisses or puckers up from across the room and walks the whole way to me to give me a kiss.
Kids are no walk in the park and there are many people that I know that should not have them. :) But aside from my superficial judgment, children are a beautifully endowed to us mothers by our Creator. We are blessed and chosen to be the mother to OUR children. No matter how the children came into our life, foster, adoption, birth, or bestowed by a family member in death. These children are ours to care for, love, teach, learn from, and let go.
My kids are still very young. But in the next year I'll be letting go of one of them to school. I know that in her short 5 years of life she has taught me more than I have taught her. I thought at one time kids were so simple to raise. I am guilty of what I call "Pre mother advice giving." I knew everything before I became a mother, only to realize that the moment I became pregnant with Kara I knew NOTHING! What a shock!! ;)
Letting go of our children into the hands of their own decision-making abilities is so nerve racking. The only rest I can take in knowing Kara will be okay is knowing that I've allowed her to find her sense of independence.
Children have taught me how to care for and love someone so unconditionally. I think that children are purposely design specifically for this in order to show us an example of God's love for us. We learn to love deeply the minute we hold our firstborn child. It's not that we don't love our partner, parents, siblings, etc., but loving our kids is what teaches us that unconditional love. It's deep, it's unexplainable.
As a mother I have found that two kids is enough for me. You don't particularly understand the trials in motherhood until you have two or more children to care for at one time. Don't get me wrong, there were times when it was just Kara that I thought I'd pull my hair out. But two kids is way way WAY different than one. And then you add in the spacing of the age. The closer the children are together in age the different the trials you have in mothering. My children are more than three years apart.
Look I don't want to deter anyone from having additional children, but just be aware the more you add the more you suffer. HAHAHAHA JUST KIDDING! The more you have the more you have the more love you get. :) Not that I'm an advocate for huge families either. I guess it's a personal choice and what God hands you.
I always try to remind myself that when I'm having a bad day, my kids are being monsters, and I have a patience deficit, that I, at the very least, have today with my kids.
Peace.
It's funny how quickly we become more than who we thought we were and nothing we recognize. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mom and a wife. I have only two children versus some of my friends with 3+. And though I wanted more, I'm sure that there is a reason, a very logical reason, that I only have two. I see the light when I lose my patience, when I feel like the day isn't going to end, when I look at my kids and only see monsters. Okay Okay, they aren't physically monsters, but you know those days where they pull the "momma momma momma momma mom mom mom ..." "WHAT!?!?" "Hi." Oh my gosh, those days are the days that nearly push me over the cliff, and just when I'm about to voluntarily jump, it's bedtime.
Then I sigh, and suddenly all the anxiety and frustration that has built up over the entire day fades away into a mist and I'm ready to do it all over again the very next day. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. But really I just love and adore my kids. They can be the most frustrating and yet the most rewarding aspect in my life. Especially when Kara says "Mom I have a secret for you" and then whispers in my ear that she loves me .. or when Mason blows me kisses or puckers up from across the room and walks the whole way to me to give me a kiss.
Kids are no walk in the park and there are many people that I know that should not have them. :) But aside from my superficial judgment, children are a beautifully endowed to us mothers by our Creator. We are blessed and chosen to be the mother to OUR children. No matter how the children came into our life, foster, adoption, birth, or bestowed by a family member in death. These children are ours to care for, love, teach, learn from, and let go.
My kids are still very young. But in the next year I'll be letting go of one of them to school. I know that in her short 5 years of life she has taught me more than I have taught her. I thought at one time kids were so simple to raise. I am guilty of what I call "Pre mother advice giving." I knew everything before I became a mother, only to realize that the moment I became pregnant with Kara I knew NOTHING! What a shock!! ;)
Letting go of our children into the hands of their own decision-making abilities is so nerve racking. The only rest I can take in knowing Kara will be okay is knowing that I've allowed her to find her sense of independence.
Children have taught me how to care for and love someone so unconditionally. I think that children are purposely design specifically for this in order to show us an example of God's love for us. We learn to love deeply the minute we hold our firstborn child. It's not that we don't love our partner, parents, siblings, etc., but loving our kids is what teaches us that unconditional love. It's deep, it's unexplainable.
As a mother I have found that two kids is enough for me. You don't particularly understand the trials in motherhood until you have two or more children to care for at one time. Don't get me wrong, there were times when it was just Kara that I thought I'd pull my hair out. But two kids is way way WAY different than one. And then you add in the spacing of the age. The closer the children are together in age the different the trials you have in mothering. My children are more than three years apart.
Look I don't want to deter anyone from having additional children, but just be aware the more you add the more you suffer. HAHAHAHA JUST KIDDING! The more you have the more you have the more love you get. :) Not that I'm an advocate for huge families either. I guess it's a personal choice and what God hands you.
I always try to remind myself that when I'm having a bad day, my kids are being monsters, and I have a patience deficit, that I, at the very least, have today with my kids.
Peace.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
30 by 30
So I was reading about this list that you are supposed to make when you turn 29 about the 30 things you wish to accomplish by age 30. I never did this, so I think I'll do it now. In no particular order.
1. lose weight (I'm sure this is every woman's #1)
2. journal more
3. forgive
4. cross country ski more often
5. climb Lazy Mountain (which I've been told is not a lazy mountain)
6. run in the Mayor's Marathon (the five-miler)
7. be sure to let my friends know how much they mean to me
8. ask for help when needed (this is hard for me)
9. catch a salmon with my fishing rod
10. fix my tattoo on my ankle
11. get my nose pierced (hahaha .. we'll see if this happens)
12. take an R&R trip to Seattle (already in the making)
13. pay off some debt
14. grow my business
15. sleep a solid amount of hours every night (obviously tonight is excluded)
16. exercise regularly (it's good for the heart)
17. love on my babies everyday
18. tell Aaron I love him everyday
19. practice the piano more
20. play the guitar more often
21. effectively teach Kara the running man
22. remember to water my indoor plants regularly (I'm sure this one can be successful)
23. work on my relationship with God (it's been a bit rejected lately)
24. declutter my house
25. drive the Denali Park Road (this is conditional I have to enter a lottery and get drawn for it)
26. shoot a gun
27. remember to call my daddy every Sunday
28. embrace the relationship as it is with specific family members
29. move on from the past and not hold on to so much hurt
30. learn to love myself for who and what I am!
I think that that list is achievable. I also want to say it's not in order of importance.
1. lose weight (I'm sure this is every woman's #1)
2. journal more
3. forgive
4. cross country ski more often
5. climb Lazy Mountain (which I've been told is not a lazy mountain)
6. run in the Mayor's Marathon (the five-miler)
7. be sure to let my friends know how much they mean to me
8. ask for help when needed (this is hard for me)
9. catch a salmon with my fishing rod
10. fix my tattoo on my ankle
11. get my nose pierced (hahaha .. we'll see if this happens)
12. take an R&R trip to Seattle (already in the making)
13. pay off some debt
14. grow my business
15. sleep a solid amount of hours every night (obviously tonight is excluded)
16. exercise regularly (it's good for the heart)
17. love on my babies everyday
18. tell Aaron I love him everyday
19. practice the piano more
20. play the guitar more often
21. effectively teach Kara the running man
22. remember to water my indoor plants regularly (I'm sure this one can be successful)
23. work on my relationship with God (it's been a bit rejected lately)
24. declutter my house
25. drive the Denali Park Road (this is conditional I have to enter a lottery and get drawn for it)
26. shoot a gun
27. remember to call my daddy every Sunday
28. embrace the relationship as it is with specific family members
29. move on from the past and not hold on to so much hurt
30. learn to love myself for who and what I am!
I think that that list is achievable. I also want to say it's not in order of importance.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
2010
As I sit here and recollect 2010 there are so many things that happened this year that were amazing, some that were awe inspiring, and some that I would rather not repeat.
It's hard for me to narrow down the times that were the best and the worst. I try not to dwell on certain events. But I'll name a few that were very instrumental toward our future.
The beginning of the year defined my desire to become a full-blown teacher. I am in love with educating young minds and seeing those moments when students get it. It's the most amazing thing! However, since our children are so young, Aaron and I decided that it's best for them that I stay home. Childcare is not my idea of a place for my kids, since our lifestyle does not require I work. We have the ability to afford me to be home to raise our kids. So in time I will become a teacher of young minds. =)
Mason turned 1 in March. What a great celebration that was! I love my boy more than ever, and his birthday is just one day of the year where we get to focus just on him and celebrate the gift of his life.
In July, we flew to Las Vegas to watch my sister marry the love of her life. It's been a moment in waiting for many years, and it was beautiful to watch. I love the maturity of these two and I am patiently waiting for a niece or nephew to befall these two wonderful people. They have gone through a lot together and deserve more than ever to have everything they want.
August birthed a new beginning for me and starting my own photography business. Nature and landscape photography has been a private hobby of mine. I love nature! I love capturing nature in its raw beauty. But starting SAK Photography has allowed me to incorporate people into my already existing hobby.
September brought about a surgery that would forever change the course of our lives. The result of the surgery was an inevitable hysterectomy. Though to some that may seem very minor, to me it was life changing. You never really know if you're done having children until you are forced with a one-way decision.
November brings around celebration every year, but this year it was a culmination of three. Both Aaron and I turned 29, which is a birthday I've been looking forward to forever. HAHAH! It's an age for me that says "I'm a grownup." It is also the month and year that Kara turned 5. The past 5 years have been such a ride with my beautiful girl. She is smart, amazing, and altogether wonderful. I just cannot believe she is 5. This is a milestone birthday for all parents, I think. For us it was a time to celebrate Kara and all she is.
December was the month I had been dreading for three months. My hysterectomy came December 21, and was actually an amazing relief from the pain and dragging I had been feeling for the past 9ish months. I was in awe at how well I felt just fresh out of surgery. I had an amazing doctor for my care, and a wonderful husband to care for me at home. I am so thankful that I feel so much better.
Christmas is always a special time because of the birth of our Lord and Savior. December's celebration of Christ's birth always reminds me that even though I may have had a rough time in the past year, He is there to help me through the coming year. I celebrate his birth, as most do, December 25 and was overwhelmed this year with gratitude for my husband and children.
The New Year's Eve celebration is, by far, my favorite holiday. There's something that so simple and pure about the idea of a new beginning in a new year. It's never a "real" new beginning. We don't just "wipe" the previous year(s) away as if they never existed. I find that the new year is a way to remember the past and move on to the future while using our learned lessons today.
I hope that to all of you you've had a wonderful year, up and down, but most of all, I hope you all loved!
Peace.
It's hard for me to narrow down the times that were the best and the worst. I try not to dwell on certain events. But I'll name a few that were very instrumental toward our future.
The beginning of the year defined my desire to become a full-blown teacher. I am in love with educating young minds and seeing those moments when students get it. It's the most amazing thing! However, since our children are so young, Aaron and I decided that it's best for them that I stay home. Childcare is not my idea of a place for my kids, since our lifestyle does not require I work. We have the ability to afford me to be home to raise our kids. So in time I will become a teacher of young minds. =)
Mason turned 1 in March. What a great celebration that was! I love my boy more than ever, and his birthday is just one day of the year where we get to focus just on him and celebrate the gift of his life.
In July, we flew to Las Vegas to watch my sister marry the love of her life. It's been a moment in waiting for many years, and it was beautiful to watch. I love the maturity of these two and I am patiently waiting for a niece or nephew to befall these two wonderful people. They have gone through a lot together and deserve more than ever to have everything they want.
August birthed a new beginning for me and starting my own photography business. Nature and landscape photography has been a private hobby of mine. I love nature! I love capturing nature in its raw beauty. But starting SAK Photography has allowed me to incorporate people into my already existing hobby.
September brought about a surgery that would forever change the course of our lives. The result of the surgery was an inevitable hysterectomy. Though to some that may seem very minor, to me it was life changing. You never really know if you're done having children until you are forced with a one-way decision.
November brings around celebration every year, but this year it was a culmination of three. Both Aaron and I turned 29, which is a birthday I've been looking forward to forever. HAHAH! It's an age for me that says "I'm a grownup." It is also the month and year that Kara turned 5. The past 5 years have been such a ride with my beautiful girl. She is smart, amazing, and altogether wonderful. I just cannot believe she is 5. This is a milestone birthday for all parents, I think. For us it was a time to celebrate Kara and all she is.
December was the month I had been dreading for three months. My hysterectomy came December 21, and was actually an amazing relief from the pain and dragging I had been feeling for the past 9ish months. I was in awe at how well I felt just fresh out of surgery. I had an amazing doctor for my care, and a wonderful husband to care for me at home. I am so thankful that I feel so much better.
Christmas is always a special time because of the birth of our Lord and Savior. December's celebration of Christ's birth always reminds me that even though I may have had a rough time in the past year, He is there to help me through the coming year. I celebrate his birth, as most do, December 25 and was overwhelmed this year with gratitude for my husband and children.
The New Year's Eve celebration is, by far, my favorite holiday. There's something that so simple and pure about the idea of a new beginning in a new year. It's never a "real" new beginning. We don't just "wipe" the previous year(s) away as if they never existed. I find that the new year is a way to remember the past and move on to the future while using our learned lessons today.
I hope that to all of you you've had a wonderful year, up and down, but most of all, I hope you all loved!
Peace.
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