31 Days of Figuring It Out

I haven't been here in years- almost three whole years. And I don't really know how to jump back in again other than just doing it.  So I'm here. And I going to try and keep up with the Nester's 31 Days Project http://www.thenester.com/2013/09/welcome-to-31-days-2013.html. What am I going to be writing about for 31 days? Here's the thing- I'm not entirely sure.

Life is good here. The girls are amazing. Jeff is awesome. We still have two dogs (one different than the last time I wrote). But now we have two frogs (!), and we have new jobs, or promotions from our old jobs, and we have more time, but also somehow less time and independent kids who can get their own breakfast (sometimes) but who are facing much different challenges than I expected three years ago.

Life is different -much different than it was the last time I checked in here. My goal for the next 31 days is to try to write out some of the confusion and the misdirection, and get to a place where I feel like I'm on a path again. 31 days of figuring it out.

Christmas Cards

I'm so happy that I managed to get cards ordered this year. Last Christmas we ended up letting it go to save our sanity and sent Valentines to close family and friends instead. But this go round I really wanted to send pictures of the girls out. We managed to get some decent pictures taken Sunday evening while we decorated the tree. We ordered them that night and voila! They arrived on the doorstep yesterday evening. I'm thinking I need a scrapbook to keep Christmas cards (ours and our friends') in as the years go by...

Starting Slow

The halls still need some decking. And the weather outside is perfect for that roaring fire and hot chocolate. I'm really looking forward to the next few days.

Ror and Me

A few months back I switched up my work schedule (again.) Earlier in the year I had begun going to work five days a week, working an early hours schedule and trying to pick up the girls so we could spend a good bit of the late afternon and evening together. It was a tough schedule, and as the months went on I picked up the girls later and later. I also found that I really missed my days at home with them. At some point it dawned on me that I have a very limited amount of time where I'll be able to keep the girls home with me, what with looming kindergarten for Jilli and Ror not far behind.

So I bucked up, asked my boss to let me switch back to two days at home (and 12 hour days three times a week) and here we are today. Jilli still goes to school around four days a week. She loves it there and misses going. At first I tried to convince her of how much fun we would have at home, and then I relented. She usually stays home with me one day, and on the others, like today, I get Ror all to myself. We usually stay close to home, with one or two trips out to run errands, or go to the park, or get books at the library. And on these days she gets her chance to be an only child. She gets to pick the books we read. She dictates where we play. We fix what she wants for lunch. And me? I get to see her personality and moods and funny spirit without her big (amazing, smart, fabulous) sister around. So today, in a season where I am reminded that I have much to be grateful for, I am thankful I get to spend a whole day with my Ror.

December!

My list for the month:

1. Decorate, preferably with a roaring fire, steaming cups of hot chocolate and Christmas music playing loudly.

2. Bake and deliver goodies to our neighbors and friends ala The House on Plum Street

3. Decorate gingerbread houses

4. Make loads of cookies

5. Run a 5k (to combat aforementioned cookies, goodies and gingerbread)

6. Snuggle around an outdoor fire on the Solstice.

7. Teach the girls some new Christmas carols.

8. Enjoy every minute of this season and document it daily here.

Nap

Josie thought the play bed was a waste of fluffy resources.

Cousins

Rory and Emery at the beach...we are all much relieved that they appear to like each other after a year and a half of seeming indifference. I'm pretty sure in the bath picture they are devising some way to climb up on top of a dresser and then have jumping contests. They bonded over their love of heights.

These two have been friends for a long time now....and I think they will be forever.