More agonizing

Just a quick update. Things continue to be up, then down, then up and down again. Still working too many hours with some really great aspects to the job, but some major not great aspects to the job. 6 months into this and it's still so up in the air. Don't get too settled, we may not stay. Help Dillon get adjusted, then pick up and start all over again. Therapy seems to be helping her some, though it's slow going at best. Seems like no matter what we decide, someone's going to be unhappy.

Much worrying, try as I might not to. Thank goodness for an upcoming vacation. A break from the worry would help.

And now she is 6

Wow. You're 6. Sometimes I look at you and marvel at how you aren't such a little kid anymore. Sure, in the grand scheme of things, you still are, but when I see you around your sister or around your younger friends, you really aren't so little. And when I see you leading and riding a horse you look both really little and really big at the very same time. I sometimes shake my head in disbelief.

Homeschooling fits you well. You ask many questions a day and are so eager to learn- if it interests you. You are incredibly creative and can turn anything into a toy. You utter the phrase "let's pretend that..." 50 times a day.

You love all things horses and were recently excited to be able to clean out stalls (much to my complete shock!). You love your riding lessons and ask regularly when you can have a horse of your own.

A recent foray into girliness has taken us by surprise. You've suddenly decided that dresses are really cool, especially the twirly ones. Privacy is required when changing clothes and you've asked to let your hair grow long. It's shaken your daddy up a little, I must tell you. He's having fears of you dating someday.

I love watching you grow and learn, figuring out who you are along the way. I hold onto the fleeting bits of little kidness you have left and celebrate the steps into big kidness with you.

Happy Birthday, sweetie!

30 days of pictures- January 2009

I alluded to this in my last post. I've had such a hard time consistently picking up my camera since the move. It just requires so much energy, this adjusting to a new place. I needed a project to get me going again and knew I'd found it when I stumbled across someone else's 30 days project. I just wanted to show little bits of life around here. I plan to do again this summer. It'll be interesting to see how they differ.

So, here it is- enjoy! The individual pictures are on Flickr; just click on the links below & it'll take you there.

30 days of pictures- January 2009
Originally uploaded by wkelley2001

1. Corryn reading, 2. Helping cook, 3. Toy barn assembly, 4. Such a toddler, 5. Drawing a family, 6. Blocks, 7. Toy car pile-up, 8. A little snowy walk, 9. Reading, 10. Feeding a friend, 11. Stripeysaurus, 12. Help me, 13. Sunglasses, 14. 2nd birthday, 15. Big sister teaches, 16. A sunny spot, 17. Dressing herself, 18. Relaxation, 19. Dave's normal location, 20. New sled, 21. Snuggling with Daddy, 22. Snow, 23. Playroom, 24. Twirling sisters, 25. A casualty of the snow, 26. Dillon's tree, still up, 27. Muddy boots, 28. SIgns of winter, 29. Creating, 30. Camera girl in front of the camera

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

Making good on a promise

Not really being one for New Year's resolutions, I still like to look forward to the new year and make plans for things I'd like to accomplish. Not "organize the pantry" or, really anything related to cleaning- more like personal goals.

This year, I made it a goal to do something for myself each day. It had been lost in the midst of the difficult transition we've been undergoing. I'd find myself, at 4:00 in the afternoon, just spent, wondering how on earth I'd find the energy to make dinner and get kids to bed. So, I just did it. Sometimes only 10 minutes, sometimes more. I've been knitting. I got my sewing machine out, only to have it promptly stop working. I've been reading a bit. I started a photo project that I'll post here soon.

And the big one- I found an excellent babysitter and have started horseback riding lessons. What an incredible stress reliever!

The best part of all- life feels less stressful. I'm more patient with the girls. I'm not struggling through the evening trying to make it to bedtime.

Why is it that when life gets the most difficult, we tend to put aside the activities that make those difficulties more manageable?

That's my girl!

Dillon asked Dave a question and got a, shall we say, somewhat sarcastic answer. Not at all being what she was looking for, she responded, quite seriously, with

"Let's ask mom- she's the really smart one."

You betcha kiddo! :)