For the last couple of days I have been composing this post in my mind. Funny how I am just now finding enough time to actually sit down and type it up! As I was replaying the pictures in my mind and thinking about what I would say, this Rodney Atkins song kept coming to mind. And so here is my jumping off point…
The last couple of weeks my posts have been few and far between. I found myself putting silly, random, pointless stuff in front of my people far too frequently. I think it is easy to do as a stay at home mom. I am with my kids twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. I obviously am going to be on and off the computer and “doing my own thing” at different times each day. I am only human after all. I also know for a fact I am not the only one who struggles with this each and every day. And while I seem to be getting my priorities back in check at the moment, I am quite aware of the fact that it is easy to slip back up. It starts out innocent enough…I’ll just edit a couple pictures while the kids are playing. And a couple turn into a few. And then I am returning emails. And checking blogs. It is a vicious cycle that is incredibly hard to break. And while I have not disconnected from the benefits of technology completely, I am stepping back and taking a look at how exactly I spend my time each day.
It won’t be long until both of my kids are in school all day, every day. That time is creeping up all too closely. I NEVER want to look back with regret on how we spent our days. EVER. The celeb gossip will wait…it really isn’t all that important anyway. Blogs will wait. Emails will wait. It will ALL be there later. But what won’t be is the sweetness of my kiddos at the stages they are in today. We all know they grow WAY too fast…that is becoming so painfully aware to me.
So bear with me as I find my groove! I most definitely plan to keep blogging, but I probably won’t post until evening…or maybe I’ll set them to post at random times during the day once I get back in the swing of things! We’ll see!!
We are coming off a WONDERFUL long weekend. We packed up Thursday and headed to California. Hours in the car with my people. Laughter, tears, giggles and memories were all shared during our road trip. Little bits and pieces of who we are flash through my mind as I type. Memories I will forever cherish.
My people…
For literally months now I have been dreaming of getting some graffiti shots. I really have no idea why exactly, but it was something I have been wanting! Considering we live in a big city, I am sure I could find some without a problem. But I am not exactly the kind of girl who loads up and heads to the inner city on a regular basis. Or ever.
So while we were in California, Chris somehow was able to find a beach where there was all sorts of graffiti. Remember, he is a computer genius! Anyway, Saturday morning we left our hotel and headed to Venice Beach for some more beach time and a photo session before heading home.
These aren’t exactly what I had in mind, but neither one of the kids were “feeling” this whole idea like I was!! I am lucky to have gotten the shots that I did! There are many, many more to share, but I am tired and heading to bed soon.
But first I have to share this. This little one is the whole reason we were out in California to start with!
This is sweet Avery girl touching her toes into salty seawater for the first time ever! {Look at how I managed to get her little foot trying to test it…that was pure luck but an amazing capture!!} Let me just tell you, if I had video to go along with this, you would hear the sweetest, most genuine belly laugh ever! Unlike our high maintenance Gentry girl who sat covered up in the stroller the entire time, Avery ADORED the beach!!
I have so, so much more to share about our trip, but for tonight I am signing off!! We got home Saturday night but we were gone all day yesterday at an air show and birthday party and today was spent trying to get laundry done and the house put back together!! As you can imagine, I am worn out!!
Filed under
random-sweetness,
by Bethany
i agree!! Say N.O. to blogging every day, LOL. We all have lives that need to be lived, kids that need our undivided attention and love to give to “our people”. People are not being entirely truthful if they say doing it ALL (and doing it well) is not a struggle. I can honestly say I struggle with it….I want to do it all…but most of all, I want harmony and happiness in my home and with Lily and NOTHING comes before that. Like now, it’s 1am where I am and I am finally done crafting up some goodies and going to bed. There is NO WAY I could get these kinds of things done during the day, not with all the things Lily want to do with me…places to go, things to see and do!! We all need breaks once in awile, thats for sure!
I can totally relate. I know I have an addiction to the blog world and it affects the way I feel about myself as a mother. But, it is my outlet. My connection to the outside world. Like you said, we are in the house with our kids 24/7. What’s a couple of hours on the computer? I figure it’s probably good for Abbey to spend a little bit of alone time each day. But I do long for the day when Madison is old enough to play with her.
I’m curious about the first image in this post. Is he inside a dumpster? It’s an awesome shot, I just can’t tell what it is…
I love this post…you are such a wonderful mommy! I can relate. I spend a lot of time on the computer. I try to do it once they are in bed. I am a night owl anyway. I was a good reminder though that the time spent with my girls right now will quickly pass. I love your photos by the way! You are so talented and gifted! Thanks for sharing your heart! Have a great week!
i think you just summed it up for many mothers out there. thank you for putting into words the thoughts that i can hardly manage to get my head around.
Well said Bethany!!
Great shots! (But then again, I love graffiti shots. I collect them like nobody’s business. So now I’m in love with this blog and that is all.)
Hey girl! I was happy to read a new post from you…but you don’t need to worry a single second about when and how much you are posting! Your kiddos are so much more important and everything else can wait. My blog is 98% for me and my family, and documenting our memories…so I never feel guilty about not posting.
I love the new pictures and can’t wait to hear more about your trip to California
LOVE YOU!
So there with you sister. Trying to balance and feeling like I fail miserably. Thanks for being honest and real. You will never regret a single second you spend with your cuties.