Tis the Season

I can hardly believe it, but the Holiday madness is creeping upon us! I see countdowns to Christmas, Christmas movies being televised, and stores brimming with Holiday decor. I must admit, I am excited for this time of year. Each year, I tell myself to be intentional about savoring this busy season. I make mental plans to slow down, cherish each moment, maintain traditions, and create new memories. And come January, I am always regretful of how fast the past 2 months flew by and I didn't feel connected to the enjoyment of the season. So right now, as the leaves are changing colors and the weather is shifting, I am slowing down. I am capturing the beauty of the fall leaves. I am snuggling up to my girls more. I am spending more time with my hubby. I will be successful this year; I am clearing the calendar to fill it with time of Holiday tradition and memories. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas and I am going to remain connected each and every day to the wonderful madness swirling around me!

Time Goes By

The last time I blogged was almost 2 years ago! My life has been consumed with Grad school, but now that journey has come to an end. I am officially finished with school forever! Well, that is not entirely true, but I have no intentions on gaining a higher level degree. I do have an obligation to continue to obtain CEU's which leads to continued learning, but nothing like the journey of obtaining a degree!

I find myself in sort of a funk now that school is over. My title of "Student" has been a HUGE part of my life, time, and identity. Without this official title, I am in a bit of a lull. I craved this time; struggling through the past year of grad school holding onto the light at the end of the tunnel. Now that it is here, I don't know what to do with myself! On a practical level, I have plenty on my plate still; 3,000 supervised hours to obtain, children to continue to invest into, a husband who keeps me on my toes, a household to manage, and a job at my Church which I love. It's not that I have nothing to do, it's the fact that I am wrestling with settling into my shifted identity. School offered me structure and routine; I could always depend on an assignment that was looming. Despite the struggle to keep pressing on, school gave me predictability. I didn't anticipate this feeling of lacking once my program was complete. I am anticipating that I will settle in to my new "normal", but for now I am in a transitional period--  grappling with the adjustment process.

In other news, my "little" girls aren't so little anymore. I was looking at my long, lean, beautiful daughters trying to remember when they were small. I was in awe that they were ever little- they are now up to my shoulders in height and maturing into beautiful young ladies! Claire is in 5th grade this year. This is her last year of Elementary school. My stomach is doing flips just typing that out-- my little girl is almost a Middle Schooler! EEKS! She is evolving into her own person; a girl with a huge heart for others, a joyful servant, and a great friend. Hannah is in 4th grade and is blossoming. She is a talented artist and holds big hopes for her future. She is a thoughtful, witty, creative young lady. Both of them make my heart beam! I am so blessed to have these amazing girls. They challenge me to the core, but I couldn't imagine life any other way.

Cancun; August 2014









We went to Mexico to celebrate the completion of my degree. My family earned this trip just as much as I did! Here are some of my favorite photos. It was a memorable trip!

Reflections

I haven't posted in a LONG time. Life is moving forward at such a rapid speed; I often have a hard time slowing down long enough to catch my breath! Here we are in November. The holidays are staring me in the face. I always feels stressed and panicked this time of year. So much to do; preparations to be made, gifts to be bought, holiday shows, family... I always try to remind myself to slow down and enjoy the season. And yet, come January and I always feel like I missed the magic of the holidays. This year I want it to be different. I want to slow down, breath deep and enjoy. Sure I still have shopping to do, family to visit, and meals to cook, but I want to savor the moments. I am going to be intentional about this this year. Let's see what happens come January!

 In other news, our crazy busy life is just buzzing on by. I am almost finished with my 4th semester of grad school. This has been the hardest semester by far. I wasn't sure that I could continue, but now that I am entering my MONTH LONG BREAK, I am feeling more optimistic. I have had to face some tough topics in my classes these past few months. I felt like I was staring down all of my inadequacies at once. I was feeling so broken; and uncertain that I am equipped to be a therapist. I am learning the value of keeping the perspective on today- I can only do my best for today and not let the worries of the future consume me.

Claire is in 3rd grade. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She continues to amaze me. She is SO smart, compassionate, and curious about life. I find it hard to believe that she will be 9 in a month and 1/2. She is continuing to do ballet; this is her 4th year in it. She has also taken on Jazz this year and is having fun in class. I am so proud of the young lady that she is becoming and hope that I can mentor her into adolescence well!

Hannah is in 2nd grade. She is blossoming into such a neat kid. She has fallen in love with reading this year; I am so happy for her! She is taking tap and jazz and loves both her classes. I am amazed at her as well; she has such a funny, compassionate spirit.

Brandon is such a hard-worker and a terrific husband/dad. I couldn't juggle work and school without his support. I am honored to be his wife and proud of his desire to be a good provider. We have been together 12 years now and I wouldn't change a day of it. We have had many ups and downs, but through it all we have grown closer and stronger.

 I hope to find time to slow down and capture memories and moments more often. I know someday I will look back and be thankful that I have recorded snippets of this time.

A special day

Today was a very special day. Hannah turned 7 today. My baby is getting big! But, that is not the only celebration we had today. Both Claire and Hannah got baptized today! My heart is full of joy! I am so honored to be mom to these two girls! It was an amazing experience seeing them both profess their love for Christ. Pastor Brad and Brandon baptized each of them. I still am tearing up as I am remembering back to this amazing afternoon. What joy!

A New Year

2012. Wow! I can hardly believe how fast the past year has flown by. So much life has been lived in 2011; I started a grad program, Claire started a new school, gymnastics, piano, ballet, tap.... the list goes on and on. Our lives are very rich and full. Sometimes I can hardly stop to catch my breath! I love being busy. Don't get me wrong, I love having a full schedule. I thrive with the crazy afternoons rushing from school to swim! But, I also think that in the craziness I loose the magical moments. I don't take time to stop, even if just for a moment, and enjoy my family. I quickly find myself with no patience. So for 2012, I am making it my goal to slow down in the midst of a full schedule and enjoy the little moments. I want to look back on this year and see glimmers of joy, love, patience, and peace.

Here is to 2012! It is going to be a great year! I just know it!

Fall- my favorite time of year

Life has been moving forward full speed ahead! I can't believe it is already November! The holidays are right around the corner. I love this time of year; the anticipation of the holidays, the beautiful change that fall brings, and the reflection of the end of a year. I am trying to slow down and savor the beauty of this time of year. It is so easy to rush through my day and forget to stop and breathe and enjoy. It is so worth the extra minute or two of not letting life rush me forward, but instead pressing pause and savoring the moment.

First Day of School

Well Summer is officially over as of today. The girls started back to school today. I can't believe I have a First and Second grader! This year, Claire is attending the Gateway Academy at a different school, so this morning brought the struggle of who is dropping off who. It came down to Brandon taking Hannah and I taking Claire. I felt bad I wasn't there for Hannah, but I would have felt bad either way. Hard! We are swapping for pick up so I can be a part of both of their first day! It was a bittersweet morning for all of us. We had such a good summer and my goal of being cohesive was definitely accomplished. I am happy for our normal routine to return though. It is hard going 10 weeks with no real routine for each day!

The girls are getting so big and it is days like these that I wish I could freeze time and cherish these milestones. I can't believe my babies are so big- where has the time gone! I look back and see so many mistakes that I have made. I try not to dwell on these, but if I had a "do over" card I would use it! All I can do is keep pressing forward; learning from my mistakes. Each day is a new one! Can't wait to see what this next school year brings!