"The Year of the Family"

So many times these last few months I have written tons of things to share with you, all in my head.  Now, I sit in the quiet of my home...let's stop there for a minute and take that in.  I am sitting in my house and it's quiet! My house is clean.  It's raining and peaceful.  The dogs aren't barking or asking to go out.  Jaydon was born 2 months ago.  The wedding was a few weeks ago.  I don't have to go anywhere, unless I decide I want to and I don't want to.  You guys need to understand, this is the equivalent of the Red Sea parting!  

I have named this year as "The Year of The Family" because of all we have going on.  It's all good stuff, big stuff and incredibly, fantastically, wonderful and completely overwhelming...stuff.  Life is like that, isn't it?  Each one of us, including the ones who married in, has something big either happening or something to figure out.  When I looked at what was coming, I wanted to run away to Montana.  I don't know why, but that's my run away spot (even though I've never been there).  I didn't.  I stayed and did the adult thing...with lots of chocolate.  

Here are a few things I picked up:
1. Break it down into bite size pieces.  You know, like those packages of mini's that come all ready for you to pop into your mouth.  Did you think I was kidding about the chocolate?!?  Ever since the kids were little, they each had a different color pen that we used for them on the calendar.  I could look at any given time and know who needed to be where.  Not since the kids were little, did my calendar look like a rainbow exploded on it.  My lists had lists.  I worked on the next important thing.  Don't rush ahead.  Enjoy each thing for what it is.  

2. Change happens.  Get used to it.  Either by default or design change will happen.  By default, if you do nothing.  By design, if you plan it.  In general, most people don't like change.  Early in the spring we put the wall back up at restyle.  If one more lady comes in flapping her arms and exclaiming "what's different?"  "did you change something?"  "why did you put the wall up?"...  someone hold my earrings.  UGH!  Kids grow up, they graduate, they get married, they have kids, you turn 50...these all happen whether you plan it or not.  Buckle up baby!  When you plan change, even if it's a good, healthy decision for you and your family, not everyone will understand.  Just smile and live your life.

3. Take a moment and look around.  In those moments when your house is overflowing with people, activities, chaos and your to-do list would rival Santa's.   Take a moment.  Soak in the laughter, the fighting, the tears, the hugs.  Breathe.  There will be defining moments that will be a part of your family forever.  Savor.  Take a look around and soak it in.  Look at your family during the long hours in the hospital waiting for that little person to join you; or dancing like crazy people at the wedding; or turning the corner and seeing your sisters and husbands surprise you for your birthday.  Hearing your grown children laugh when they reminisce about growing up, while making new memories.  Watching your youngest graduate.  Seeing your daughter fall in love.  Seeing your other daughter nurse and love her baby. Getting to know your daughter-in-law, who is now more like your daughter. Remember those times when trials made you guys stronger.

These are not found on FB, Pinterest or Instagram.  Live your life.  Even the ugly crying moments.  

4. Be grateful.  I am thankful for the people in my life who have come along side us.  I am thankful for friends who open their house to us.  Who love our children and see who they are, like we do.  I am grateful for friends who asked if I wanted anything from CT and I said Fluff, they brought me a case! For my TX people, come over and I'll make you a Fluff-a-nutter...it'll change your world.  I am grateful for my husband, who loves me and makes me laugh.   I love you even when your eyes glaze over when I talk about all I want to do in the house.

There are so many little and big moments in our days.  Not all will be earth-shattering, but they can change your world.  

At this point, my house is no longer quiet.  People have come and gone.  The dogs are up.  Dinner was made and eaten.   My phone is buzzing with a conversation I'm having with Jessi from her house.  It's still raining, but change...it happens.  Embrace it.  The holidays are coming, here we go again!

I wouldn't have it any other way!  

You have as always, All My Love!
xo ~ Jodi