Embracing the Snow

 

A glimpse of our new year's day- spent outside, despite the freezing temperature.  A mere hour outdoors can really uplift the spirits, I tell you!

These photos are my sister and nephew, my husband and daughter enjoy the ride down a hill behind our home.

We spent the rest of the day helping (I use the term very, very loosely) Daddy do some chores on the farm.  Molly and I rather skipped around visiting with the cows.  I'm hoping to bring the farm around here more often.  Not only because I need to start taking my camera there more, but because I want to share the beauty of that place.  And you don't even have to experience its scent ;)

That first farm shot was at dusk- that's Bulldozer, the trusty farm dog.  And those cows are freshly milked and headed out of the milking barn into the next barn in search of dinner.  I love this shot.  It's completely unstaged- Molly wanted to see the cows and that farm dog is always there, protecting his cows and his family. 

The next images are "young stock" - no longer bottle fed calves, but not quite ready for breeding.  And some are steers - I'll save the details of their purpose.  

It's the life of the farm, and there is so much to learn out here.

I'm thinking of keeping this part of our family a regular addition around here.  After all, cows are so curious.  And that makes the be best subjects for photography.   A single snap of the camera and more come, staring (hence the progression of those photos).

Have a wonderful weekend!

We're just grateful to be in the 'teens around here, brrrr.

:)

Lisa

Balance

My two-year-old's babysitter pulled me aside the other day, asking if I was okay.  As I was gathering her things, I laughed, "yes, of course. Why?" "Molly has been saying 'mummy's not happy' a bunch lately".  Stab.  I choked back tears as I put her half-empty sippy cup into her bag. "Oh, I'm fine".

I gave my Molly an extra-long smile while fastening her in her car seat, but my eyes were filled with tears the entire drive home.
My husband and I had a sit-down talk (you know, the one without a tv/iphone disruption and eyes locked on each other) that night, and he said he'd heard the same from her- "mummy's not happy".  If only I could view myself as concrete as my two-year-old.

So we made a pledge- to make some changes.  Some bigger than others.  But changes.  Because we need to find joy, I need to find joy.  For Molly, for my husband, for myself.
And I'm so glad this came at the brink of the new year- because I'm seeing so much about choosing a word for the year.  And I immediately thought of joy, but it doesn't fit.  Because I need to first find some balance before I can really work toward joy.

Balance.  Our challenge for the new year.

We're attempting some changes in search of it.  And instead of fighting what's stagnant, I'm going into 2014 in search of balance in my life, in what I've got.  Between the obvious career and home.  But also in parenting.  And finances.  And marriage.  And health.

I don't want to let myself lean so far in a direction that I have to fight to get back in balance.  I need more media fasts in place of quiet time with my daughter.  Instead of realizing it's been six months since a date with my husband, we're striving to balance our time together, alone, more often.  Instead of asking God for help only when I need it, I'm going to pray when all is well.  Instead of buying something we don't need, really budgeting to get rid of my student loan debt.  And instead of trying to fast away days worth of unhealthy eating- I'm going to try to balance healthy choices, each day.  In place of a week of workouts followed by one of laziness, I'm going to try to balance some physical activity each week.  I want to try to see friends and family more- not just on holidays.  And instead of treating our toddler to another new toy- an experience. So our memories can be in balance- some at home with familiar activities, others away with new experiences.

But I need to try and be the best wife and "mummy" before all else.  And I need to learn to set aside some other less important things to prioritize my foremost duties.  I'm going to learn to say no.  Not a hurtful "no", but when my plate is full, I'm going to stop trying to do more.

Because we've got to spend this life choosing joy, feeling happy.  Not overwhelmed and unhappy.

And because I want my daughter thinking - "my mummy's so happy!"

And I want her to remember me as happy, because I don't want impatience, resentment, fatigue and jealousy to be forefront in who I am.  I want to be a joyful person, full of faith and hope.

Here's to a new year full of hope and joy.
A year dedicated to finding balance.

xoxo,

Lisa

A Christmas Recap

From house decorating and cookie baking, to grocery store trips and gift wrapping,  it's just so easy to get caught up at Christmas, and forget what really matters.  This year, we joined our church for the annual Christmas caroling at a local nursing home, and I couldn't even sing the first song- my eyes filled with tears as I watched my wild, free spirt toddler stand on her own and stare with wonder as the room of elderly patients filled with lively songs of Christmas.  She mouthed the words to "Jingle Bells", that first song, and erupted in smiles as it ended and applause rang throughout the room.   She was participating, and she was so proud of herself.  

And I stood and stared, as my baby is growing into the sweetest little girl- and it seems as though it's happening too quickly.  But she's brave and happy, kind and thoughtful.  And though she's learning to really hold her own against a toy thief, she loves to make others smile.  I was filled with so many emotions that night.  

And I realized just how important it is to teach children about the joy that can come from small acts of kindness.  And just at that small age of two, she's learning just that.

My nephew is just learning to walk, and as he stood behind his new walking toy this Christmas, she walked along side him saying "you're doing it, Noah!" She's really learning.

Our Christmas was filled with family and smiles.  Molly was blessed with  several babies, and we haven't put them down since.  I love listening to her while she calms and soothes her new babies.  My exact words to her, poured out to her new babies.  I'm  on a mission to be the most kind person I can.

Many friends are home this weekend, and I'm so happy for the time with them, the gift of Christmas, the growth of a two year old, and the excitement of a new year ahead. 

Merry Christmas.

Lisa