Being Present

So my New Year's resolution this year was "to be present". This is a hard thing for me to do. I'm a go-getter and don't really like to sit still.  Sometimes I think I'm addicted to being busy and that even means too busy for my son and my family. I have been known to come home and instead of play with Judah when he asks, I would say, "Wait just a second baby, I will as soon as I do the dishes" and inevitably don't stop DOING until the opportunity has passed.
I DON'T want to be that kind of mom or wife.
So on to the task at hand.
Be present.
Play with Judah. Listen to Justin when he talks to me instead of being immersed in Pinterest or other social media that tends to suck me in.
I'd say I'm off to an OKAY start. I think it's an awareness thing. I have made myself aware that I'm not always present and catch myself when I may be preoccupied and stop what I'm doing. Besides, the dishes will STILL be there in a few hours, right? (Too bad those bad boys don't do themselves.)

Although I don't post as often as I used to, you know because I'm trying to be present, I still try to find the time to read encouraging blogs. This is one blog that continues to encourage me...especially this post. I look up to this woman even though I've never met her and especially since we don't have a "lead Pastor's wife" at my church. (that's a whole other blog) So, I can relate to her and love this blog entry. Check it out.

Holly Furtick - Balance

 

Overdue Update

So, I wrote that last post a few months ago but never posted it. Not sure why. I still feel the same way though. :)

I just got back to work after enjoying 2 glorious weeks of Christmas Vacation. It was wonderful. Seriously. It was a bit bizarre. Ahh...the joys of working at a school. I tried to take it all in. I spent lots of time with my Judah-man and with both sides of our family. I took a nap almost everyday. I shopped. And..I ATE!! Boy, did I ever eat! I have started working out at the state-of-the-art gym here at the school I work at so, i guess i will work it off sooner or later.

Santa was in full swing this year. Judah was ALL about it, even though we had to practically bribe him to sit on his lap. He was fascinated that Santa came to OUR house. Also, as the Christmas decorations started going up, his phrase was "there's Christmas right THERE". So wherever there were lights or trees it was Christmas at that very spot. It was adorable.

While on my 2 week break, we really focused on potty training. Judah is almost 3 and we have been working on this for SEVERAL months. He has had #1 down, but #2 is a different story. I had always heard that boys were harder to potty train. WOW. SO true! But we did it after several ruined pairs of underwear and lots of loads of laundry. SO happy to be through that phase! Now I'm wondering if I really want to go back to square one with diapers! (no i'm not pregnant)

Other happenings:

- I'm an Aunt again. Jason and Claire had their first daughter, Emery Elizabeth Johnson. She's beautiful and she loves me.

- Joyce is preggo again and is going to be giving me my first nephew. Excitement.

- Justin's Photography business is really picking up. We did several weddings together this past fall. He's even gotten several gigs here at my work for headshots and such. Yay.

-I am currently planning Judah's 3rd birthday party. It will be a circus theme and it's sure to be a wild and crazy time. I can't believe my baby is getting so big. He looks more like a little boy now. Sad.

I will leave you with this picture of Judah around Halloween.