Will's favorite - a stingray
That nice zoo employee was feeding the animals and my little monkeys wanted a close up view.
Her thumb was pretty much in her mouth the WHOLE zoo trip!
Thanks for sharing your grapes big brother!
Friday, December 31, 2010
New Year's Eve @ the Zoo!
Will's favorite - a stingray That nice zoo employee was feeding the animals and my little monkeys wanted a close up view.Her thumb was pretty much in her mouth the WHOLE zoo trip! Thanks for sharing your grapes big brother! 
New Beginnings
It is New Years Eve! I always LOVE the start of a new year. I can't help but think about 2010 and everything that has happened this year. Let's recap the last 3 months. I decided to:
1) Get divorced
2) Move out
3) Change jobs
ALL AT ONCE
and suffered only 1 mental breakdown during the process. If only it didn't happen at work!
So Jeff and I moved a bunch of my stuff into this tiny little apartment with only 2 bedrooms and started to figure out all the details that go along with raising our children jointly but separately.
I've worked at making this place a home for my kids and we've settled in quite nicely.
And I changed positions once again at work. This time moving out of my old area and into a completely new area. This change actually feels like the biggest of all. It feels bigger than the divorce and it feels bigger than moving into the apartment. I think it is because I knew my old job inside and out. I loved that job. I loved those people. I cared about the work and I was good at it. I'd gotten married, had a couple miscarriages and had 2 kids while working at that building. I devoted a decade of my life to that work and then it was time to move on.
I received my promotion in the midst of moving into my new apartment and working out the separation details. It was perfect timing. It was more money right when I needed it and it was hope for a better future right when I needed it. It was a chance for a fresh new start. So everything in my life completely changed in the blink of an eye.
My relationship changed
My home changed
My income changed
My job changed
My coworkers changed
My boss changed
My job duties changed
My building changed
My parking changed
Absolutely everything changed - all at once - and I just rolled with it and moved through it and it felt really good! It was harder than hell at times but overall it felt right and it felt good.
I went from being the person who trains the new people - to being the new person in training.
I went from knowing everyone to not knowing anybody...and although I'm making new ones, I really do miss my old friends.
The first thing I noticed was the sense of freedom. They treat us like adults at my new job. It feels like a bunch of people working together to help our clients. There is an enormous amount of independence and flexibility and trust. They live and breathe collaboration. They have consult meetings for the purpose of collaboration. They form relationships with community agencies and with one another in order to serve the clients. It was like a breath of fresh air. It is a very relaxing and humane working environment.
On the flip side. They are completely disorganized. Partly due to the fact that their area is under constant change but I also think partly due to the types of people who choose this line of work. They are very go with the flow and haphazard. These aren't necessarily bad things. It is just so shocking to me coming from one world to this other world where the environment is so different. I see things that would not be acceptable in my old world and yet nobody seems to bat an eye at these things in my new world. I've been sort of going through a bit of culture shock as I adjust.
The good news is. I've always said there is the "work me" and the "real me" and that I bring the "work me" to work because they'd fire the "real me". I often felt like my home life/personality and my work life/personality were very different. I don't think that is going to be the case anymore. At this new job - I can bring the "real me" and she fits in perfectly. These people talk like me. We act the same. We understand each other. That is nice.
The bad news is. I don't think I realized what I was getting into with this new position. I've been trained how to go into a client's home without "bringing anything home" (like bedbugs). ICK! I still shiver every time I think about it. There is just a world of diseases and bugs and such that comes along with working with the public - in THEIR homes. There is a reason that social workers dress the way they do. (Insert mental image of social worker). You do NOT want to look like a target when in a poor neighborhood. You don't want to get mugged for your cell phone or blackberry or laptop. You don't want bugs crawling into your nice purse and coming home with you. You shouldn't wear 3 inch pumps while navigating slippery sidewalks and you probably don't want dog and cat hair all over your dry clean only pants.
But again - the good news is it really is nice to know that I'm helping people stay safe in their homes in the community instead of ending up in a nursing home. These people need our services and there is a reason we go out to their home to provide these services - they just can't come to us.
I suppose that is enough about work.
Let's see. We have to finalize the divorce details and make things official this year. I'm not looking forward to it. I think it will be rough. I can't wait until that part is over.
I'm hoping and praying we're able to move somewhere else next fall. This place has been wonderful for now and I'm looking forward to enjoying the outdoor pool with the kids this summer but I can't wait to move somewhere where I don't have to share a room with my kids.
I think I'll just post pictures of the last few months to remember what we've done since all the changes last fall.
Goodbye 2010
Welcome 2011
1) Get divorced
2) Move out
3) Change jobs
ALL AT ONCE
and suffered only 1 mental breakdown during the process. If only it didn't happen at work!
So Jeff and I moved a bunch of my stuff into this tiny little apartment with only 2 bedrooms and started to figure out all the details that go along with raising our children jointly but separately.
I've worked at making this place a home for my kids and we've settled in quite nicely.
And I changed positions once again at work. This time moving out of my old area and into a completely new area. This change actually feels like the biggest of all. It feels bigger than the divorce and it feels bigger than moving into the apartment. I think it is because I knew my old job inside and out. I loved that job. I loved those people. I cared about the work and I was good at it. I'd gotten married, had a couple miscarriages and had 2 kids while working at that building. I devoted a decade of my life to that work and then it was time to move on.
I received my promotion in the midst of moving into my new apartment and working out the separation details. It was perfect timing. It was more money right when I needed it and it was hope for a better future right when I needed it. It was a chance for a fresh new start. So everything in my life completely changed in the blink of an eye.
My relationship changed
My home changed
My income changed
My job changed
My coworkers changed
My boss changed
My job duties changed
My building changed
My parking changed
Absolutely everything changed - all at once - and I just rolled with it and moved through it and it felt really good! It was harder than hell at times but overall it felt right and it felt good.
I went from being the person who trains the new people - to being the new person in training.
I went from knowing everyone to not knowing anybody...and although I'm making new ones, I really do miss my old friends.
The first thing I noticed was the sense of freedom. They treat us like adults at my new job. It feels like a bunch of people working together to help our clients. There is an enormous amount of independence and flexibility and trust. They live and breathe collaboration. They have consult meetings for the purpose of collaboration. They form relationships with community agencies and with one another in order to serve the clients. It was like a breath of fresh air. It is a very relaxing and humane working environment.
On the flip side. They are completely disorganized. Partly due to the fact that their area is under constant change but I also think partly due to the types of people who choose this line of work. They are very go with the flow and haphazard. These aren't necessarily bad things. It is just so shocking to me coming from one world to this other world where the environment is so different. I see things that would not be acceptable in my old world and yet nobody seems to bat an eye at these things in my new world. I've been sort of going through a bit of culture shock as I adjust.
The good news is. I've always said there is the "work me" and the "real me" and that I bring the "work me" to work because they'd fire the "real me". I often felt like my home life/personality and my work life/personality were very different. I don't think that is going to be the case anymore. At this new job - I can bring the "real me" and she fits in perfectly. These people talk like me. We act the same. We understand each other. That is nice.
The bad news is. I don't think I realized what I was getting into with this new position. I've been trained how to go into a client's home without "bringing anything home" (like bedbugs). ICK! I still shiver every time I think about it. There is just a world of diseases and bugs and such that comes along with working with the public - in THEIR homes. There is a reason that social workers dress the way they do. (Insert mental image of social worker). You do NOT want to look like a target when in a poor neighborhood. You don't want to get mugged for your cell phone or blackberry or laptop. You don't want bugs crawling into your nice purse and coming home with you. You shouldn't wear 3 inch pumps while navigating slippery sidewalks and you probably don't want dog and cat hair all over your dry clean only pants.
But again - the good news is it really is nice to know that I'm helping people stay safe in their homes in the community instead of ending up in a nursing home. These people need our services and there is a reason we go out to their home to provide these services - they just can't come to us.
I suppose that is enough about work.
Let's see. We have to finalize the divorce details and make things official this year. I'm not looking forward to it. I think it will be rough. I can't wait until that part is over.
I'm hoping and praying we're able to move somewhere else next fall. This place has been wonderful for now and I'm looking forward to enjoying the outdoor pool with the kids this summer but I can't wait to move somewhere where I don't have to share a room with my kids.
I think I'll just post pictures of the last few months to remember what we've done since all the changes last fall.
Goodbye 2010
Welcome 2011
Puppet
We made this sock puppet - who was always hungry...
And yes - Kira still makes this special face when trying to smile for a photo
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Kira's first night at the "apartinent"
waiting for her Big Girl bed to be put together at the new apartmentDoesn't she look cozy?
Signs it is time to stop procrastinating the weaning process
"Excuse me, Mama, I have nummies please?"
and
"Yum! Good stuff Mom"
and
"Yum! Good stuff Mom"
Friday, September 10, 2010
Moving Day!
The good news - This day is finally here. Yay!
The bad news - I have a really bad sore throat which totally was not in the plan for moving day.
The good news - I have a 3 day weekend coming up so I'll have plenty of time to rest and heal while I slowly move stuff over. There is no rush.
Will got to buy a new toy for the apartment. He has been talking about it constantly and it has been hard for him to wait to open it. We talked about how it was a little like Christmas and how it can be hard to wait to open the presents. He gets to put that toy together tonight when he sees the inside of the apartment for the first time and so he has something to do while I do a little unpacking.
I'm really hoping he likes it there. Kira won't care. I can handle anything. I just want William to be comfortable there. I'll be observing my little guy all weekend. I think we're doing the right thing not making the move all at once, moving things to the apartment over slowly, buying replacement things for the "yellow house" slowly. Letting it unfold naturally.
Here's to my sore throat magically going away today before 12pm.
Dear sore throat,
I realize Kira has a cold and that for some reason I get sick anytime anyone else is sick. I appreciate how you'll help me build up immunities to whatever we're fighting off but how about we take a pass this time. Let this be a 24 hour sore throat and let my immune system be so strong that you simply vanish in the next few hours. I release you.
Thanks much. Enjoy your day!
Love,
Jen
The bad news - I have a really bad sore throat which totally was not in the plan for moving day.
The good news - I have a 3 day weekend coming up so I'll have plenty of time to rest and heal while I slowly move stuff over. There is no rush.
Will got to buy a new toy for the apartment. He has been talking about it constantly and it has been hard for him to wait to open it. We talked about how it was a little like Christmas and how it can be hard to wait to open the presents. He gets to put that toy together tonight when he sees the inside of the apartment for the first time and so he has something to do while I do a little unpacking.
I'm really hoping he likes it there. Kira won't care. I can handle anything. I just want William to be comfortable there. I'll be observing my little guy all weekend. I think we're doing the right thing not making the move all at once, moving things to the apartment over slowly, buying replacement things for the "yellow house" slowly. Letting it unfold naturally.
Here's to my sore throat magically going away today before 12pm.
Dear sore throat,
I realize Kira has a cold and that for some reason I get sick anytime anyone else is sick. I appreciate how you'll help me build up immunities to whatever we're fighting off but how about we take a pass this time. Let this be a 24 hour sore throat and let my immune system be so strong that you simply vanish in the next few hours. I release you.
Thanks much. Enjoy your day!
Love,
Jen
Monday, September 6, 2010
4 more days...
until we can move into our apartment!
I've spent hundreds on fall clothes and pajamas and groceries and buying all the stuff that you need when you move. I bought a plunger, cleaning supplies, sheets...boring stuff. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of boring stuff that we just didn't happen to have two of around here.
Jeff bought a incredibly large TV. Which I have mixed feelings about because I'm terrified my little monkey of a toddler will climb up onto the stand and topple the ginormous and very heavy TV right on top of herself. I can't even stand the thought of it. It probably won't happen but it could happen and I won't be here to protect her from that.
At my new house - I'm considering enclosing the TV somehow so that it isn't even visable. We'll watch it when we want to but it will be hidden when we're not watching it.
What else did I buy? I bought towels with monkeys (giggle) on them for the kids and garbage cans and salt&pepper shakers and toilet paper and a bookshelf for Kira and mattress pads and bath mats and floor mats and a shoe rack and umbrellas and an alarm clock.
Bins are piled all over this house waiting until Friday when we can start moving things over there little by little and making it a home.
The first thing I'm doing on Saturday is take the kids swimming so they can have a bit of fun at the new house. Then we'll set up Will's new bunk bed and put together my cozy little Ikea chair. That's about it. I'm holding off on too much furniture for now until we get a feel for the place.
I told Will it was a week away and he told me it was less than a week. He's right. We must be all sort of counting down the days.
I've spent hundreds on fall clothes and pajamas and groceries and buying all the stuff that you need when you move. I bought a plunger, cleaning supplies, sheets...boring stuff. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of boring stuff that we just didn't happen to have two of around here.
Jeff bought a incredibly large TV. Which I have mixed feelings about because I'm terrified my little monkey of a toddler will climb up onto the stand and topple the ginormous and very heavy TV right on top of herself. I can't even stand the thought of it. It probably won't happen but it could happen and I won't be here to protect her from that.
At my new house - I'm considering enclosing the TV somehow so that it isn't even visable. We'll watch it when we want to but it will be hidden when we're not watching it.
What else did I buy? I bought towels with monkeys (giggle) on them for the kids and garbage cans and salt&pepper shakers and toilet paper and a bookshelf for Kira and mattress pads and bath mats and floor mats and a shoe rack and umbrellas and an alarm clock.
Bins are piled all over this house waiting until Friday when we can start moving things over there little by little and making it a home.
The first thing I'm doing on Saturday is take the kids swimming so they can have a bit of fun at the new house. Then we'll set up Will's new bunk bed and put together my cozy little Ikea chair. That's about it. I'm holding off on too much furniture for now until we get a feel for the place.
I told Will it was a week away and he told me it was less than a week. He's right. We must be all sort of counting down the days.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Keep that negativity away from us
I'm struggling lately with the reactions people have to our divorce.
People have their own values and ideas of what is right or wrong and they start looking for someone to blame or to find fault with. They judge. They haven't walked in our shoes. They haven't lived in our house. They haven't been a part of our relationship or family life and yet - they judge. They want to pick a side and figure out who did what horrible thing and who was wronged and they gossip about how bad it is that my husband and I didn't stay together forever and how wrong of a decision we have made as a couple and how it will hurt our children. They presume to know what is best for us. They assume Jeff and I are unhappy with each other right now. I find that so strange.
We're aware of their negative energy being directed this way and it seems odd because Jeff and I aren't doing that to one another. It seems to me we are happier than we have been in a very long time. Their reactions have nothing to do with us. Their reactions are completely about them.
I am ever so thankful for the people in our lives who already understand or who are open to understanding. We are blessed to have so many people who want to help us figure it all out and who are offering their support along the way. I have never felt so encompassed.
It is an interesting thing to have your world ending and beginning at the very same time - and quite strange to be judged for it. We are releasing the past, living in the present and creating our futures together. Anyone focused on creation is welcome in our lives.
People have their own values and ideas of what is right or wrong and they start looking for someone to blame or to find fault with. They judge. They haven't walked in our shoes. They haven't lived in our house. They haven't been a part of our relationship or family life and yet - they judge. They want to pick a side and figure out who did what horrible thing and who was wronged and they gossip about how bad it is that my husband and I didn't stay together forever and how wrong of a decision we have made as a couple and how it will hurt our children. They presume to know what is best for us. They assume Jeff and I are unhappy with each other right now. I find that so strange.
We're aware of their negative energy being directed this way and it seems odd because Jeff and I aren't doing that to one another. It seems to me we are happier than we have been in a very long time. Their reactions have nothing to do with us. Their reactions are completely about them.
I am ever so thankful for the people in our lives who already understand or who are open to understanding. We are blessed to have so many people who want to help us figure it all out and who are offering their support along the way. I have never felt so encompassed.
It is an interesting thing to have your world ending and beginning at the very same time - and quite strange to be judged for it. We are releasing the past, living in the present and creating our futures together. Anyone focused on creation is welcome in our lives.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Changes
What brings me back to blog land after being gone so long that I wasn't sure I'd remember my blogger password? Well, I'm getting divorced and want to document this journey a bit.
I'm going to start at the very beginning and by talking about my intuition. I met a guy. The very first time we met my intuition - literally like a voice in my head - said to me - "This is never going to work". I didn't listen. He had a big smile and was a great guy and instead we fell in love and moved in together and got married and had two children. But it didn't work. It wasn't working. Nothing was wrong yet everything was wrong. I was depressed and sad and crabby and irritable. I felt stuck. I talked about it with people for years and I talked about it with my husband and eventually one day laying in bed talking about what we should do - he said - he thought we should get divorced. It was the day before our 8 year wedding anniversary. We'd been together for over 13 years.
That was a bit over 2 weeks ago.
Since then we've started the process of telling everyone. That has been an interesting experience. A lot of people are shocked. A lot of people cry. A lot of people ask if we've tried counseling. A lot of people say they are sorry. Old friends offer support. New friends become closer friends. People pull together and offer their love and support and prayers and thoughts and energy and help. Who knew we had such a great network of friends? To you all - we apologize for the surprise and for any of your own relationship re-evaluating you've done because of our relationship unraveling. We truly are all connected. What impacts one does ripple out and impact all.
We're still in the process of telling people. And for those we haven't told yet - or will tell today - or will tell later - or who will find out from other people - we apologize for not telling you sooner - but some things are better done in person - and we find it hard to tell more than 1-2 people a day. We find that people take the news the best when they can see and talk to both of us and know that we are both still doing okay.
I don't want to imply that it has been easy. It has been hard. I have been exhausted. The hardest part was years of being in a relationship that wasn't working and didn't fit. We've already been through hell and now we're on our way back. Our relationship wasn't healthy for us and it was hurting our kids. It is time for something new. The hardest part was not knowing what to do. The easy part was deciding to get divorced. The unknowns were hard. Where would I live? How does one find a new/2nd home when our incomes haven't changed and we can hardly afford the one that we have? How do we now suddenly afford 2 electric bills and 2 homes and 2 beds for Kira and 2 beds for Will? How do we do that when we still earn the same amount of money and were going into debt before?
You just do it - you become unstuck - and allow life to flow again - and it all works out.
I found an apartment. It is close by. We can bike to and from both homes. It is in the same neighborhood. I start to move in mid-Sept but will still sleep here. We'll transition the kids in October after things settle down with school starting. It has 2 pools - indoor and outdoor. It has a playground. The windows face west so we'll get plenty of sunshine in the afternoon and the evenings when we are there the most. We may have floor picnics for a while. The first thing I'm moving is my plants.
It makes me realize I've never lived alone. I still won't be alone because my children will be there but I've never lived without another adult around. I lived with my parents and 4 siblings. Then I moved in with Jeff. This will be the first time I've lived alone in that sense. I will make that a temporary home for my children and myself and I can't wait.
I will trust my instincts. They speak to me very clearly and I am very attuned to what is right in my life. I just haven't always listened in the past. I'm sure I've written about that before. How I used to be irritated when my intuition told me something and I wanted to do something else. I used to say "no". Then I used to say "fine". Now I say "yes" and "thanks".
That is what this divorce feels like to me. It feels like we are going with the flow and doing what is right. Nobody is falling apart and nobody is hating on the other person. We're both still living in this house and sleeping in our bed and raising our kids and calling each other "honey" while we talk about who gets what furniture and how much child support is affordable and what the custody and parenting time arrangements will be. We got married together and we're getting divorced together and we'll still support each other along the way. I can appreciate Jeff's gifts the most from this slight distance. Like a friend told me long time ago about her divorce, "We got out while we're still friends".
I went to go see Eat Pray Love at the movies last night not realizing it was about this lady and her divorce. It was fitting. A blue book on my bookshelf caught my eye this morning. I'd bought it long ago but never read it. I pulled it off the shelf feeling like reading and wondering what it was about only to see the title: Falling Apart In One Piece - one optimist's journey through the hell of divorce. There was even a comment by Elizabeth Gilbert the author of Eat Pray Love right there on the front cover. Love it.
As much as this is the right thing for us, I realize it will be hard and life-changing for the kids. We told William we were getting divorced. He handled it pretty well. Then one day we were talking and he asked, "You mean when you get divorced that you won't be married any more?" and that made him sad. He was so worried that we didn't love each other anymore. It helps him to know that mom and dad still do love each other but that we'll be happier having two homes. There will be less "arguement conversations". William believes us and knows this to be true. There has been so much less tension and fighting and irritation and sadness around here lately. That is very good for the kids. I want them to grow up seeing healthy relationships and healthy communication and happy adults and a different kind of love.
I want them to do what is right for them and to always listen to their intuition and to go with the flow as they move through life. I never want them to feel stuck but when they do, I want them to learn how to move past that and know that everything will always be okay.
I'm going to start at the very beginning and by talking about my intuition. I met a guy. The very first time we met my intuition - literally like a voice in my head - said to me - "This is never going to work". I didn't listen. He had a big smile and was a great guy and instead we fell in love and moved in together and got married and had two children. But it didn't work. It wasn't working. Nothing was wrong yet everything was wrong. I was depressed and sad and crabby and irritable. I felt stuck. I talked about it with people for years and I talked about it with my husband and eventually one day laying in bed talking about what we should do - he said - he thought we should get divorced. It was the day before our 8 year wedding anniversary. We'd been together for over 13 years.
That was a bit over 2 weeks ago.
Since then we've started the process of telling everyone. That has been an interesting experience. A lot of people are shocked. A lot of people cry. A lot of people ask if we've tried counseling. A lot of people say they are sorry. Old friends offer support. New friends become closer friends. People pull together and offer their love and support and prayers and thoughts and energy and help. Who knew we had such a great network of friends? To you all - we apologize for the surprise and for any of your own relationship re-evaluating you've done because of our relationship unraveling. We truly are all connected. What impacts one does ripple out and impact all.
We're still in the process of telling people. And for those we haven't told yet - or will tell today - or will tell later - or who will find out from other people - we apologize for not telling you sooner - but some things are better done in person - and we find it hard to tell more than 1-2 people a day. We find that people take the news the best when they can see and talk to both of us and know that we are both still doing okay.
I don't want to imply that it has been easy. It has been hard. I have been exhausted. The hardest part was years of being in a relationship that wasn't working and didn't fit. We've already been through hell and now we're on our way back. Our relationship wasn't healthy for us and it was hurting our kids. It is time for something new. The hardest part was not knowing what to do. The easy part was deciding to get divorced. The unknowns were hard. Where would I live? How does one find a new/2nd home when our incomes haven't changed and we can hardly afford the one that we have? How do we now suddenly afford 2 electric bills and 2 homes and 2 beds for Kira and 2 beds for Will? How do we do that when we still earn the same amount of money and were going into debt before?
You just do it - you become unstuck - and allow life to flow again - and it all works out.
I found an apartment. It is close by. We can bike to and from both homes. It is in the same neighborhood. I start to move in mid-Sept but will still sleep here. We'll transition the kids in October after things settle down with school starting. It has 2 pools - indoor and outdoor. It has a playground. The windows face west so we'll get plenty of sunshine in the afternoon and the evenings when we are there the most. We may have floor picnics for a while. The first thing I'm moving is my plants.
It makes me realize I've never lived alone. I still won't be alone because my children will be there but I've never lived without another adult around. I lived with my parents and 4 siblings. Then I moved in with Jeff. This will be the first time I've lived alone in that sense. I will make that a temporary home for my children and myself and I can't wait.
I will trust my instincts. They speak to me very clearly and I am very attuned to what is right in my life. I just haven't always listened in the past. I'm sure I've written about that before. How I used to be irritated when my intuition told me something and I wanted to do something else. I used to say "no". Then I used to say "fine". Now I say "yes" and "thanks".
That is what this divorce feels like to me. It feels like we are going with the flow and doing what is right. Nobody is falling apart and nobody is hating on the other person. We're both still living in this house and sleeping in our bed and raising our kids and calling each other "honey" while we talk about who gets what furniture and how much child support is affordable and what the custody and parenting time arrangements will be. We got married together and we're getting divorced together and we'll still support each other along the way. I can appreciate Jeff's gifts the most from this slight distance. Like a friend told me long time ago about her divorce, "We got out while we're still friends".
I went to go see Eat Pray Love at the movies last night not realizing it was about this lady and her divorce. It was fitting. A blue book on my bookshelf caught my eye this morning. I'd bought it long ago but never read it. I pulled it off the shelf feeling like reading and wondering what it was about only to see the title: Falling Apart In One Piece - one optimist's journey through the hell of divorce. There was even a comment by Elizabeth Gilbert the author of Eat Pray Love right there on the front cover. Love it.
As much as this is the right thing for us, I realize it will be hard and life-changing for the kids. We told William we were getting divorced. He handled it pretty well. Then one day we were talking and he asked, "You mean when you get divorced that you won't be married any more?" and that made him sad. He was so worried that we didn't love each other anymore. It helps him to know that mom and dad still do love each other but that we'll be happier having two homes. There will be less "arguement conversations". William believes us and knows this to be true. There has been so much less tension and fighting and irritation and sadness around here lately. That is very good for the kids. I want them to grow up seeing healthy relationships and healthy communication and happy adults and a different kind of love.
I want them to do what is right for them and to always listen to their intuition and to go with the flow as they move through life. I never want them to feel stuck but when they do, I want them to learn how to move past that and know that everything will always be okay.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Spring is here!
It's spring! Yay! I'm so glad to be done with this winter for so many reasons. Here's to a fantastic summer ahead!
Kira will be turning 2 years old in July! I'm going to wean her and potty train her and stop nursing her at night and start SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT again! Yay! I'm so excited! It's about time. I've been pretty much exhausted for the last 2 years and her pregnancy sucked with the whole G diabetes thing so It's been a rough 3 years. But things are looking up! Kira's at that toddler stage where she's not quite a baby and not quite a kid and I'm thinking by this time next year we'll have 2 kids and hopefully no diapers. She should be weaned and as much as I'll miss nursing her, its time for me to start taking care of myself again. Time to eat right and exercise and get sleep and be healthy. I'm so excited for this summer/this year - I may even join a gym. I've been researching the clubs around here and am trying to find one with good daycare hours.
We joined boy scouts....or cub scouts as William likes to tell me. Will loves it. I suppose I'll have to figure out how to sew or iron those little patches to his shirt one of these days. There is this great boy scouts store and we've been learning about how to make crystals (didn't work) and Will has been mining for gems (colored glass). He loves that store!
Kira calls William, "Brother Will". So sweet!
Will has been earning "freedom and responsibility" as rewards for good-behavior and for eating his lunches and such. It's working out pretty well. We've decided that there are over 100 points for "freedom and responsibility" and William is at a level 1.5 so he can go 1.5 blocks away outside alone. It's very exciting for him. He asks me if he can use some of his freedom. I say yes. He goes out the front door and stretches. Then he jogs down our street to the corner and turns the corner and stops at the alley and comes back. This way he doesn't actually cross any streets or any alleys. I think it lets me adjust to the idea of him being alone out there as much as it lets him adjust to the idea of being alone and being responsible for himself. Freedom!
We're going to have to teach that kid to ride a bike this year...and tie shoes...and swim. Poor kid is only going to know how to build lego things if we don't get on that pretty soon. One of those gyms I was looking at offered swim lessons but I don't really want to pay for a family membership so we'll see how all that goes.
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