Day 5

Dear Mama,

I have decided to take a short break from finishing my scholarly lit review because I am about to LOSE MY MIND! And I'm starving but I probably won't eat until Jesse gets home. If I eat now I won't want to finish this paper. I mean, I don't want to finish it but I don't really have a choice. It's due today. 

Sometimes when I'm going through a rough patch in my day, I like to read the news, or look for articles that get my frustration off my mind. Today I spent a few minutes scanning over current events but then I decided to look at Pinterest. There was a pin that popped up on my homepage that said, "5 Practical Ways to Build a Better Day." I figured that was just the ticket.

I clicked on the picture and it brought me to a blog written by a middle aged gal who focuses her blog on encouraging women to pursue wisdom and grace. It's a cute little blog. After diving into the post, these are the things she tries to do to build a good day for herself. A couple of which I think I should try! 

The first thing she recommends is to feed your soul well. She says that she enjoys a cup of coffee in the morning while spending some quiet time with God. This seems legit. I think I would feel much more relaxed going into my day if I started out by sipping my cup of coffee in peace and quiet, rather than turning the TV on or reading the news. It just seems more relaxing.

She explains how important it is to start your morning the night before. She never goes to bed with the house messy because she hates waking up to dirty dishes in the sink or the floors a mess. I MUST do this one! 

Have schedules that work together and stick with them. She explains that for every mornings cleaning schedule, she spends 15 minutes of a once over the whole house, which includes dusting, fixing beds, putting away random items. Hmmm. NOW we may be getting carried away. After all, I am only 26 years old. My apartment really is not that clean. Nor will it ever be.

The 4th thing that she suggests is to do something you love every week. Anything from crafting to reading or even watching a sunset. I'm starting to play city league volleyball every Thursday with some people from my gym. I imagine this is going to be the weekly activity that I love. I miss volleyball every single day. I played on a beach volleyball team all summer and that was a blast but there's really no better feeling than playing on the court. 

And the final thing she says is to get enough sleep and exercise. I definitely get enough exercise, I feel good about that one. I try to start my day by going to CrossFit at 8:30am, usually 4-5 times a week if I can swing it. The only days that doesn't work is if I open at JL Beers . . . then I have to rearrange my time. Our CrossFit gym is awesome I feel so good when I start my day with an intense workout. Plus, the 8:30am class is mostly ladies who are all really inspiring. Jesse tries to come with me in the morning if he's off . . . I'm not opposed to that either. I used to think the best thing ever was watching him stretch before his hockey games, but I changed my mind. The best thing ever is watching him squat. =) Mwahahaha. 

 I do need to work on the sleep thing though. I'm usually working on homework until 11:00pm or so and that means that I don't even fall asleep until midnight or later. Sleeping is just not something I'm good at. Unless we're talking about naps, I'm good at naps. 

I'm feeling much more refreshed now that I read that blog post and got my paper off my mind. Plus, it just started snowing and that relaxes me even more. Hopefully I can get back at my paper with a bit more clarity and peace of mind.

Hope you had a good day, even though you mentioned that you're not feeling well. Sending you get well wishes! 

Love you!

Rah

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Dear Rah,

UFF DA, it has been a rough day!  I woke up feeling, well . . . ROTTON!  I never have a headache and this one is a whopper.  I forced myself to get up and shower, although I have no clue what for.  I was thinking that maybe I would feel good enough to go to work, after all, I have actually been off for quite a few days.  Weirdly enough the shower just reminded me that I was cold and just wanted to climb back into bed.  BUT I couldn't just go back to sleep like I wanted to do, noooooooo, I had to let work know, inform my students, have someone notify all of my students on an e-alert, and then I answered some emails that needed to be done before I could really check out for the day.  ACCOUNTABILITY!  Once all of my i's were  dotted and t's were crossed, I hunkered back in with the Hallmark channel resonating Christmas in the background.  Sophie has lap landed all day long!  She is soon happy to have me home for the day!

It is the last week of formal classes before finals begin next week so I am expecting a lot of activity this week.  Once the students leave for break, the real work begins as we have a TON to do.  Sometimes I wish there was more than one of me, but alas this world is NOT ready for that!  

Bunky called first thing this morning.  I love that he calls on his way home from work and I can catch up on his night on patrol.  He mentioned his being a coffee nerd so he must be reading the blog!  I asked if he felt left out and if he would like to participate.  He assured me that he did not, BUT if he were to contribute our ratings would go way up and we would see a TON of likes.  I guess he is just popular like that . . . seriously!  NO self esteem problem there!  

This headache will NOT go away!!!!!!!  ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!!

You and I agreed last night that we would limit our conversations so we would have more to chat about in our letters to one another . . . today, your grade an F!  I knew that I would hear from you a ton today because you were working on your final submission for school.  You are such a procrastinator!!!!!




YOU! YOU! YOU! I knew that I would get the exasperated phone call as you attempted to figure out what your professor was looking for.  I love how you read me things, knowing that I am a visual person, and seriously think I am going to be able to give you some sort of insight as that is almost NEVER the case.  I listened to you rant and knew that soon the tears were going to be coming.  I had you send me the introduction so I could look it over and WALLAH, HOORAY, and WOOT WOOT (lol) got er done!  Your school work would be so much easier for ME if YOU lived closer.  I love that you want to figure things out on your own, but guess what, nobody does their thesis alone!  You need to have as many people in your foxhole as is humanly possible.  That way when you feel beaten up and shut down, you have those that can hold you as you cry, dust you off, and encourage you as you move forward.  Buckle up Butter Cup, this is going to be a bumpy ride!

Again I am in the recliner, wrapped in a blanket, drinking a Dr. Pepper (I should never start with sugar), and writing.  I have to do a sermon this week because I preach on Sunday.  In all likelihood, I will be planted in much the same manner as I am tonight.  I am guessing that you have also assumed the position!!!!

I loved the blog you found as there is some great insight in her words!  It is always awesome when God leads us where we need to go to find a place of peace.  Sigh . . .

I have a question, do you pick through the Chex Mix for the things you like, or the cheese, or potato chips or anything else?  Someone recently pointed out that it is like I am digging for treasure in most anything I eat . . . seriously too WEIRD!

NOW, because my head is killing me and I should try and eat something, I am going to scoot!

Most,
Mommoms  

Day 4 - Just thinking . . .

Dear Rah Rah,

I love lazy Sunday afternoons watching the Vikings with the tree lights twinkling and the warm glow of the "electric" fireplace.  I know that you are working today and then you will be focused on your writing which has to be resubmitted tomorrow so I am trying to leave you alone.  I know that you are probably in your recliner, wearing comfy clothes, wrapped in a blanket, with your computer plopped on your lap.  There is probably a kitty or three that will be bothering you in your pursuit of trying to find the perfect words to interject into your "scholarly review of articles!"  Thus, I am not going to call you or text, but I am going to write you an old fashioned letter sharing my day.  

I did a little Christmas shopping today.  I am all done with Bunky and Sam which is a cool thing!  I found a couple of shirts that I thought were funny for you.  The first one said, "All I care about is cats ,  , ,  and maybe a couple people!"  I totally laughed and thought of you.  The other one said, "I just wanna drink wine, save animals, and take naps."  Again, totally laughed out loud .  .  . and thought of you.  As I was shopping, I found a bunch of things that reminded me of you.  Fun little things that I just put in a cart but did not hit send.  Auntie Dawn and I do this little thing that she does with Uncle Paul sometimes.  When we are together, we hand each other things we cannot afford, and say Happy Birthday or Merry Christmas, after all, if it is the thought that counts, so many in my life would be rich with things that make me think of them . . . if only I had the $$$ to purchase them!!!!  It is fun to dream though.

My Vikings were awesome today . . . well, what I remember.  I got so cuddled in that my eyes got a tish heavy, no a lot heavy, and pretty soon I was asleep.  The last I remember, we were ahead and when I woke up, a totally new game was on!  I saw the Vikings score flashing across the screen so I know that they won without my screaming at them like they can hear me.  Not gonna lie, that nap felt AMAZING!!!!  When I woke up, I had kitties that had opted to take a nap with me.  When I went to sleep, I had Sophie and I woke up with Mama all cuddled in and kneading on my blanket.  I think naps are incredibly important.  I feel so much better that I just grabbed my computer to do a little work, shop a bit more, and write.  Yes, I am in the recliner, with a blanket, and my computer on my lap.  You come by the writing space quite naturally I am afraid.  You know they say that the nuts do not fall too far from the tree!  Your Pops and I are happy to have provided you with any number of idiosyncrasies!

GUESS WHAT????  Seri asked me to do her wedding in October of next year.  I am super excited as I have gotten to do a number of your friend's weddings.  We are going to get together after the holiday season so I can get to know the two of them as a couple.  I always LOVE this part!  I love spending time seeing what makes a couple tick, hearing their love story, and waiting for a message to be woven on my heart.  I remember how much time you and Seri used to spend together.  For the longest time, you were inseparable.  It is crazy how fast time has gone!!!  Seems like yesterday you played volleyball together while Joyce and I watched and now you both have totally different lives, paths, and new love ones to share your lives.

GUESS WHAT????  I ordered something for you today.  You know what it is????  A little hint, you get them each and every year before Christmas so that you can enjoy them throughout the holiday season.  YES!!!!  CHRISTMAS PANTIES!  I know that that is not particularly inspirational, and perhaps you do not want everyone to know THAT particular holiday tradition, BUT I am the mom and sometimes we all just need to lighten up and find the FUN in the holiday season.  I think traditions are important, even the seemingly SILLY ones!  I have done this for you each and every Christmas FOREVER!  I remember the first year we did the blog, I almost forgot.  My life was such a mess that I lost all focus, and by the time I remembered, nearly every Christmas panty on the planet was on someone else's bottom!  UFF-DA, that could have been BAD!

I also discovered today that your brother is a COFFEE SNOB!  A COFFEE NERD!  And frankly, kind of odd!  I actually found myself researching coffee stuff for the items that he had on his list.    It was eye opening, and amazing how something as simple as making coffee can be made into a major production.  Dang I do love that pressed coffee he makes . . . especially with cupcakes!  Your father and I raised ODD children!!!  Incredibly ODD children.  And sarcastic ones!  I cannot imagine where the pair of you got THAT from!!!  Seriously!!!
Now I am going to search for some airline tickets for Grams.  She wants to go see Uncle Marty sometime after the New Year.  She has been doing some baking for the cookie walk . . . I think retirement agrees with her!  All in all, it hasn't been a particularly productive day, but it is certainly been filled with a ton of peace, some joyful spaces, and many blessings.  

I love you baby girl,
Mom

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Dear M,

I miss having Sunday's to be lazy. Every Sunday morning when I get to work, I tell my people that no one should ever have to work on a Sunday. It's just not right. Sunday's are for God, football and naps. And that's it. Unfortunately, we all know that can happen, so I made my $60 in tips and booked it home. 

You are totally right. I am plopped in my recliner and wrapped in a blanket, with my computer on my lap. I have Christmas movies on the TV right now too but the volume is on mute . . . I can't think when there's noise. Hence the reason Grayboy is in the spare bedroom on timeout right now. I was working on my paper and all of the sudden he pounced on Booboo and she was screaming bloody murder, so I ran after him and he scurried into the empty wine box (from the penny wine sale of course) then I grabbed him (box and all) and put him in timeout. He can be such a bully. 

Speaking of Grayboy being a bully, after I put him in timeout I remembered reading about holistic remedies that Jackson Galaxy (the guy from My Cat From Hell) created and they have such awesome reviews! They're similar to essential oils but for animals, and guess what? There is one for bully cats! I'm going to buy it when I have some extra moolah. There's actually a set of 3 oils called "Ultimate Peacemaker." It has a peacemaker, bully remedy, and self-esteem oil. Grayboy would get the bully remedy, Booboo would get self-esteem, and all 3 cats would get peacemaker. Fascinating, eh?? I'll let you know how that goes.

Jordan is a coffee snob! Maybe Santa wants some coffee type beer ideas for his stocking? I could give you some good suggestions that he would love! JL Beers turned me into a beer snob. =) Sam is always easy to shop for! You'll have to tell me what you got her over the phone cause I'm pretty sure she reads this. I love all those funny cat shirts. I still like that one that says, "I never dreamed I'd grow up to be a sexy cat lady, but here I am killing it." Ha! My favorite. Oh, and I have the drink wine, save animals and take naps sweater. Here, let me find my Instagram pic. 

I don't have ANY Christmas shopping done yet, but I definitely do the same thing with putting lots in my cart but not hitting send lol. I especially do it for myself when I feel like I need to shop. It's actually quite satisfying! 

I knew you wouldn't forget my Christmas panties!! I look forward to them every year, and I don't care if the whole world knows it! They make me so happy. And honestly, I think it's the only Christmas tradition we really have left, that's been going on for a super long time anyway. I feel like you'll be buying me Christmas panties FOREVER! Even when they turn into Christmas grandma panties. =) 

How exciting that Seri asked you to perform her wedding!! You will do such a good job, as always. Wedding's are kind of your specialty. You spend so much time getting to know the couple and that makes the whole ceremony really personal. Most pastors don't do that, they stick to their routine and that's it. Pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye at our ceremony. Remember when you sent me our message that you wrote for our wedding ? It's saved in my documents and I have to refrain from reading it because it makes me cry. Ahhhh the good old days. Time for a vow renewal! After all, it has been almost a year. 

Jesse just plopped his butt down next to me with a glass of milk and your WHOLE bag of chocolate chip cookies. I forgot to tell him that you made them for him so when he walked in the door he goes, "COOKIES!" Ha. Good thing he can eat a whole bag of cookies and not worry about it. Oh, now he's saying he should go work out. Followed by, "or I could just go to sleep." He's something else. 

I'm kind of excited because our Christmas cards should be here tomorrow or Tuesday! When I told Jesse I wanted to order Christmas cards this year, naturally he quoted Friends and told me that he doesn't think we're there yet. Now that I don't have the wedding to be excited about anymore, I have to find little dumb things to try and get exited about. I guess Christmas cards are one of those things. We're also trying to figure out what we should do in Minneapolis for our anniversary. Any suggestions? We wanted to go on a little weekend vacation somewhere nice but those weekend getaways are pretty spendy. Plus, we're still planning on going to Mexico with Zach and Brooke in March I believe, and we're all still talking about Vegas with Dad, so basically I need to serve a whole lot of beer in the next few months. Luckily, that I can do. 

I think traveling is super important. I always loved that so much about you and Dad. You worked really hard so we could all go on family vacations. I vaguely remember our two cruises when Jordan and I were younger, and the trip to Florida, and the 4 times we went to Mexico, and how could I forget you breaking your leg in Hawaii? Oof, that was a rough trip. Hawaii was beautiful but we pretty much all had something health-wise go wrong. I had those 3 cold sores at one time. Omg. My lips hurt just thinking about it. And when I think about rough trips, I would never forgot the road trip from hell to SD. Haha, I have to laugh a little at that one. As much as I love traveling, with all of the crime and terrorism happening nowadays, it does freak me out. I can't think about it too much or I'll talk myself out of ever going anywhere. But maybe that would be a good thing, cause then I wouldn't have to pay for it. Ha. I call that the silver lining. 

Anyway, I should get back to my paper that's not writing itself. I'm glad you had a relaxing, lazy Sunday! Surely, tomorrow will be the opposite for you. I will think of you when I am not working, since I never work Monday's. =) 

Most! 

Rah

Day 3 - Wishing You Thunderstorms . . .

Dear Rah,

One thing that I find really interesting is your perspective versus mine.  I felt so incredibly bad yesterday as you were sharing your challenges with regards to school and the feelings of inadequacy.  Sometimes I feel that exact feeling of inadequacy when you call and I struggle to be a mom while at the same time to utilize a teachable moment.  I feel like I would be a whole lot more productive and responsive if I simply grabbed my phone and beat it against my head while you continued to air your frustrations. In fact, today as I was "attempting" to do a little Christmas shopping and the Mac spinning wheel of death popped up, I determined that is exactly how I feel sometimes as I am "trying" to be a mom  . . . while still "trying" to get you to shift gears and see an alternative perspective altering your perspective, and yet, still "trying" not to hurt your feelings.  Did I mention the "spinning wheel of death?" 

When I got off the phone yesterday, I let out a deep sigh.  You were crying and melting down into a total puddle.  You were frustrated and uncertain of yourself.  You were doubting the path that you are currently on.  You were talking so fast that I could not catch up . . . so honestly, I did what I could, I listened. Finally when I spoke, I am pretty sure that I said the "wrong thing" because you started to cry harder.  I tried to wrack my Parenting for Dummies repertoire, but no pages flashed into my mind. All I have is life experience and a whole lot of belief in who you are and what you can become.

Life experience is HARD!  The school of hard knocks is brutal.  The path that you have chosen will NOT be easy, it WILL be full of challenges and times when you want to get off the ride, and as you make your way through your life's journey you will became somewhat jaded as you realize the moments of rainbows an butterflies are few and far between.  BUT .  .  .

There are rainbows in this world and there are butterflies!  Without the thunderstorms of life Rah, there would never be a rainbow.  Rainbows are filled with promise and hope.  You are in the midst of some of your life's thunderstorms.  You are a newlywed bride trying to figure out what it means to be a wife.  You are thinking things through as you want to lay a strong foundation that will weather the storms of life, love, and marriage.  You are a life long learner focused on gaining an education that will prepare you for something yet unknown. I have forewarned you, that path will NOT be easy.  You have chosen an educational path that will challenge boundaries, even for those of us that love and support you (no butt turkey dressing and vegetarian options), and you will feel as though you are destined to be a salmon swimming upstream for your entire life . . . be careful of the bears waiting for you to make a wrong move . . . and you will make them, because you are not living your life's journey if you don't!

Rah . . . there are the most beautiful butterflies in this crazy world that we live in.  They have delicate wings that allow the to land in the most incredible places.  We watch them flutter and flit about their world and we often forget their painful journey of metamorphosis to become what God intended.  Sarah, it is painful to become what God intended.  Look at my life if you doubt that.  My journey through college was a total uphill battle for me.  When I went to graduate school, I was working full-time teaching, attending sporting events for you kiddos, and was a wife.  I was teaching English, and yet my papers got shredded apart time after time after time!  Then I chose a thesis topic that was not what my professors wanted me to choose.  I sacrificed the A for a B+ because what I did mattered . . . to me.  Then I felt like the caterpillar trying to make its way out of the cocoon.  I couldn't seem to find my place, and every time I thought I had a plan, God laughed at me and planted my butt somewhere else.  I went to seminary, but I am not the "normal" kind of pastor as I am totally messed up and see the world differently than most.  When I thought I was planted, God laughed and moved my butt again . . . do you see a trend.  Hi square peg, have you met round hole?  Sarah that is going to be your life.  It will be filled with growing pains, BUT it will give you the most amazing blessings that you could have NEVER imagined.  

My wish for you today and always is this . . . that you always know how much I love you and how incredibly proud I am that God gave me you, and how PROUD I am of you.  That you always have thunderstorms in your life and that you feel like the caterpillar struggling to escape from the cocoon because that means that you are living.  That you watch out for the bears because they are always waiting for you to make a wrong move. AND that you remember when you have a plan, God chuckles.  You might as well  laugh when God does, because the blessings that are around the corner are filled with the most beautiful of rainbows you have ever seen.  

I love you most, 
Mom

Day 2 - Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

I want to start by saying thank you for a wonderful thanksgiving even though our time was quick. Holidays always seem to be so chaotic and with all the other chaos in my life right now, I really just needed the day to be with my mama and breathe. I enjoyed our few hours alone to chat about the direction of our blog, the things we're thankful for, and the things that we're struggling with. Speaking of struggle, I know my vegetarian needs can be annoying but I really appreciate that you didn't put my stuffing inside the turkey's butt. 

Do you know what I haven't gotten used to yet, Mom? Having a significant other who always works on holidays. Well, I shouldn't say always . . . but almost always. Growing up with a father in law enforcement, you would think I'd be used to it by now and I'm not. I typically assume that Jesse is going to be working on Thanksgiving or Christmas, or whatever the occasion may be, but when they day actually comes, it feels empty. And then it puts me in a weird funk. Today, I'm still in my funk.

When I woke up this morning at your house, I knew that I would get up and get ready to go visit Dad for a couple hours before I would head back to Fargo. Dad and I had a nice chat and naturally I wished that my time home could have lasted a bit longer. As I was sitting on the couch with him, I opened my school email to see that my professor had sent me back edits of my scholarly lit review that I had been working so diligently on for the last couple of weeks. I knew that I shouldn't have opened the edits while I was visiting with Dad but I did it anyway. Well, given the mood I was in, the edits made me cry. And they weren't even that bad but ughhhhh, sometimes I just want to get it right the first time! Anyway, shortly after that I decided to hit the road thinking my drive would be therapeutic. It wasn't. 

You know how when you're in a funk about a couple of things, you find yourself stressing about every other little thing in your life and then suddenly you feel like you're totally falling apart? Yeah, so I did that in the car for about and hour before I decided to call you, even though I knew you were out and about for Black Friday. You didn't answer at first but you got right back to me. One thing that I really love about our relationship, Mom, is that the older I get the more we have in common. Like graduate school.

I called you to vent about my lit review because I knew you had been through the same things when you were in grad school. You let me mope for a few minutes while I explained why I was upset but shortly after, you gave me a bit of a reality check. You told me that you understood the edits were overwhelming but that my professors are trying to prepare me for thesis, which I begin in January. You said that from here on out, I need to expect to get a good amount of constructive criticism and to try not to take it personally. And if I'm misunderstanding the comments, that it's crucial at this point to set up meetings with my instructors. You explained that at the end of this lit review and capstone project, that I'm going to be much better equipped going into thesis, especially when I have to defend it. What I thought I needed when I called you was someone to dwell with me, but what I really needed was that reality check. I needed you to be honest and tell me that it's not going to get easier but that I will get better. After we got off the phone, you texted me and said, "keep your chin up, you got this." Although I don't always have faith in myself, you never lose faith in me. 

When I began my grad school journey, I knew that you would be the one to help get me through it. You have always walked me through the hard times and this has been no different. The countless hours I've spent on homework, the breakdowns I've had trying to balance school with working 30 hours a week, and on top of it my lack of social life. My current struggles are the same as your past struggles, and misery loves company. 

Mom, when I look at you today I see my future self. Someone who works really hard every day to make a difference for others. Someone who never wants to stop learning because there is so much to learn. Someone who sees the good in a world full of bad. When I look at you, I can see that my path is leading me in the right direction, just the way yours did. You always assure me that although I have not chose an easy route, I have chose the right route and it will be worth it in the end. You had a long road to where you are but you made it where you are meant to be. And even though our paths are not always clear, God never leads us astray. 

That being said, thank you for being there for me when I need to vent, and knowing whether you should sulk with me or tell me to toughen up. Thank you for attempting to fill my holiday voids when my better half is missing, even if you fill those voids with oreo cheesecake and hershey kiss cookies. Most of all, thank you for inspiring me to continue to push forward and never lose sight of what I believe in. You are literally the best! 

Sarah

Day 1 - And we're back!

Well . . . here we are again!  Rah and I have been hemming and hawing about blogging or not blogging for several months now.  It seems like it would be an easy choice, but quite honestly, it actually takes a lot of time and a fair amount of creative energy to produce anything that is worth posting.  It is a significant sacrifice for us, but we also seem to learn a ton about one another, about life, and our focus has always been on growing our relationship as a momma and a child . . . and grow it does!

Just a little bit of a recap for those of you that have followed us and maybe for those of you who will feel inclined to join us this holiday season.  Year one, started on the 1^st of December in 2012 with Do you hear what I hear as our common theme.  We did acts of kindness in an attempt to get us out of our Christmas slump as life had thrown us some significant curve balls, wait, that it a vast understatement, as it literally knocked us on our . . . you get the picture.  Our focus was only on doing for others and then on sharing that with one another.  We were kind of surprised that anyone even wanted to join us on the holiday journey, but weirdly enough, they did.  Writing has always been therapeutic for us, and that year it did the trick!  Free therapy!

Year 2 was Do you see what I see? and suffice it to say our EYES were WIDE open.  We found ourselves seeing things in our world that were quite ugly.  We really had to search to see things that inspired us.  DUMB . . .we also decided to start our blog journey at Thanksgiving!  Thus something that was challenging in the first place, became almost IMPOSSIBLE.  We labored over the writing.  We cried at things we saw.  AND we prayed for the season to be over so the blog monkey could be off of our back.  BUT the focus was on one another, the journey, and growing in our relationship together.  Again, grow we did!

After year 2, the discussion ensued early whether or not to blog.  Rah was getting married right after Christmas and we just did not know if we had the time or energy to focus on one more thing, especially after the last year!  We went back and forth and back and forth and FINALLY, we decided to give it one last shot.  Do you know what I know was the theme for the year, and more often than not, we just found ourselves wishing we were like young kiddos without knowledge and the ability to know.  Hearing and seeing and knowing drastically shifted our perspectives.  These blogs started out as something to bring us together, the writing was fun at first and then it got tougher and tougher, but last year by far was the most difficult.  AND yet, in a sea of stuff, we managed to make it through with some shred of sanity.  Once Christmas was done, we focused on Rah and Jesse’s wedding!

2015 . . . to blog or not to blog was again the topic of conversation.  We are so busy!  We don’t have time!  Rah and I came up with numerous excuses as to why we should not blog, but then we took a step back to look at that very first year.  That year when it was fun to write.  When our focus was only on one another and our bond as mother and daughter.  When I learned about my baby girl through the stories she shared and the images she posted.  Where she learned about what it means to be a momma through the lenses I use to look at this big world we live in.  AND it is there that our journey will begin this year . . . on us!

This year’s blog is called All I Want for Christmas is YOU!  We hear it all the time . . . I am too busy to call.  I am sorry, but I have just been too busy for . . . You fill in the blanks.  We are in a world that is moving and shaking all of the time.  Sometimes wouldn’t it be nice if it just slowed down for a minute or two?  More and more I hear folks just asking for time for Christmas.  My mom asked for time with her grandkiddos and her kiddos for Christmas.  My sister asked for the gift of time.  Life can be over in the blink of an eye . . . this year I lost someone that was like family . . . I wish that I had one more second or minute or hour, but I don’t.  I do have one more second, one more minute, and hopefully many more hours to try and connect with my baby. 

So for this Christmas, Rah and I are inviting you into our blog bubble.  We don’t know what each night will look like, and there might be nights where only one of us opts to write.  We don’t really have a solid plan except to write to one another, for one another, and to see life reflected in the words we write. Join us if you would like, pop in when you can, and welcome to our Christmas bubble.

Sheila