Reasons I love my new "job"

The reasons are endless really, but there are a certain few that are my favorites..

* Morning cuddles with my bean and bear without the interruption of showers and getting ready to head out the door by a certain time

* Watching my two and seeing so much more than I used to. Getting to know them all over again. It is such a sweet way to spend my day.

* Endless giggles and barbies. Princesses and baby dolls. Really, could it get any better?

* I can't lie though. Today has to be one of the best reasons. On a January day, which should be cold- to- the- bone cold, it is 62 degrees outside and that called for friends and play. Swinging, sidewalk chalk and hill rolling in January. Pretty awesome.


















It is so funny. I was telling a friend the other day how I keep having this reoccurring dream that I am at work and not supposed to be. I wake up and remember that I don't do that anymore. Relaxed doesn't even describe how this change has made me feel. Thankful and lucky are two words that come to mind. This time of teaching and molding is so important. I am so glad that it gets to be me. And their daddy. And all of those wonderful extras like grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles and friends whom treat our girls like they are their own.

And for the record, it isn't really a job per-say. It is so much more. And the pay itself has made me a rich, rich woman.

A Family Portrait

We have an 8x10 frame that sits on an accent table in our foyer. I has been the home to many photos. Mostly of the four of us. Maybe a couple of just the girls in there... Anyway, I recently replaced those regular photographed pictures with a much more special, original print. The Bear loves to draw people. She is always making stick figures of everyone we know. This particular paper of stick figures made my heart leap out of my chest when I saw it. She drew our "family". The four of us plus our puppy. It is so sweet and prettier than any professional photograph I have seen. I just love it. Our family.




***********************

I enjoyed a girls night out with my bank friends this past week. I have missed them so much. Dinner and a movie was a short, but sweet and fun evening. If you haven't seen Joyful Noise, I highly recommend it. It is such a spirit lifting, can't hold still kind of movie. I love my new job and don't miss work at all. I just miss them.

Dinner with friends Friday night was a wonderful way to end the week. It was the kind of evening where the food was amazing and the relaxing afterwards was the cherry on top. Such wonderful conversation with wonderful people that we look forward to spending time with anytime we can.

A fun impromptu trip for the four of us to a new pizza place and cupcakery ended our Saturday night with full, full tummies! So much fun.

The crafting has continued as well. I finally put my tools away and took a break. That is one reason I can't start things like this. I get started and I can't stop. I just want to keep going. Fixing a fun banner or any type decoration I can think of. I stopped at St. Patricks Day. Easter will wait a month or so. Maybe....



We don't have much planned this week. I hope to start working on some closet organization. Maybe a field trip to Hands on Museum. Not sure. No matter what it is, I feel so right doing this. Just being with them and seeing and hearing all the things I missed out on before. Getting to be with them is truly a blessing.

Happy Week!

Craftastic and Imaginations

Sunday morning, two little girls woke up coughing and sneezing. That, combined with the cold and snow kept us in the house all day. But, we weren't bored. Any of us. Including this momma. Nana came over and spent the day with us thanks to Daddy going to get her. She brought along a toy that I have been dying to play with. The cricut. It's the original model I am pretty sure. They have newer, fancier models, but for this beginner, it was the top of the line model. I.fell.in.love. This new crafting toy put us all in the mood. We were knee deep in paint, stamps, and paper shreds. It was so much fun.










And a bit tiring as well....





*************

We are gearing up for big fun in February. We have a birthday to celebrate along with love day. Both days will be decorated and celebrated cricut style this year. I am going crazy with this thing, let me tell ya.









I am loving this stay at home thing. We have so much fun. Playing dollhouse and baby dolls is just what the doctor ordered for me. I am being fed pretend porridge as we speak. They have my imagination, for sure. I sit, watching and listening to them. It is hard not to travel to the magical places they go. It is fun and well thought out. They certainly know how to take the best routes to get there too.

Snow and cold keep us in most of the time, But I know spring is just around the corner and besides, with my two, we can go pretty much anywhere we want in the world. Heading to warm sandy beaches to build sand castles in a bit as a matter of fact. I think some snow angels might await us too.



Happy week.

Big changes

With the new year, our family has big news. I have officially left my fourteen year career to take on a new, exciting role. I will be staying home with our girls. This decision was actually much easier than I thought it would be. I do have a sad heart on some level. The girls I worked with are more than that. They are family. In the true sense. We have shared so many things and made so many fond memories. But, my home family deserves this. I have such a wonderful feeling about our decision. Prayer, along with just plain life has made it possible and I am so thankful for this opportunity.

The girls are over the moon excited. Each day leading up to my last, they would ask every morning, "is this the day you stay with us"? It felt like it took forever to get here, but it did and I have big plans for us. A little bit of fun, incorporated with some learning will occupy our days.

The Christmas holiday was amazing. Our house was under magic overload. The girls didn't stop to breath for three days straight and neither did I. Being with them and our families was so special. It seems like the holidays roll around faster each year. It makes me realize just how fast time is going. They are growing up right in front of me and I don't even realize it. Only one more reason to relish in this sweet time I am getting to be with them.

I don't know what expect or how different this will be, but I intend to take a hold of it and just go. I will let my mommy instincts take over and give it my all. Understanding that everyday will be different. Some days will be much harder than others and I am under no illusions that tears won't be shed and feelings hurt. I am going to be playing referee a lot. But, I will use those opportunities to grow. For all of us.

So, with this new chapter in our lives, we shall spend quality time just being us and one day I hope they will know how precious this time is and always remember that I am/was ever so grateful for this amazing adventure.