Being thankful

We don't have 'free' time...but we have the time God's given us. I am trying to learn to use it for what it is.

I am trying to appreciate every moment, even the 'ugly beautiful'.

I had a photography lesson this weekend. It was a little overwhelming. I feel like I could learn so much if I had 'time' to practice, yet there is another pull on my other side. Is that what I want to use the time God gave me for?

The teacher/photographer and I also had a discussion about how when you are the picture taker, you are the observer. To be in that position is interesting. On one hand you observe the moment and can capture it (if your good) for memories. On the other hand, you aren't actually living it. Focusing on the art of photography takes alot of concentration and can be draining leaving you outside of the event.

Sunday afternoon after my lesson. I took some photos and then I just had to put the camera down. AJ had put that ball down .... soccer time! I couldn't resist. So fun for the four of us to be running around with a ball at our feet!

Bonding

Several months ago we moved the kids into the same room. We were hoping they would sleep better and as a result, that we would have more uninterrupted sleep. It sort of worked. So, several nights a week we don't have visitors. Progress.

They were on side by side bunks, but in preparation for putting the house up for sale (making the room look bigger) and to actually create room for them to play in the same room, we bunked the beds last month. I think AJ wakes now and forgets he has company so he still comes to snuggle with us. We put him back in bed (usually I do initially), but if he comes back again, I either kick David or we give in and we have a visitor for the rest of the night.

Tonight they are in separate rooms again! Ugh. They are having too much fun at bedtime. We cannot get them to settle down and go to sleep. Part of me loves it. Part of me despises that witching hour--I am the one turning into a bad witch!

Our evenings have been stressful lately. We've been spending a significant amount of our home time working after the kids go to bed. I told David tonight, "At least we are both working, so we don't feel guilty that we aren't spending time together." Its forcing us to be more organized and schedule time together. We have a date planned for Saturday with some friends we hardly get to see. A good thing!!

Some of this bonding is probably the kids' ages, but they are playing together very well. They make a mess, but they are having a blast. They move from Samantha's doll house to AJ's 'road' or trains. They spend alot of time in imaginative play- and we spend alot of time chuckling as we hear them pretend to be mommy or daddy. Samantha is loving riding her bike on these sunny days and AJ follows her around with his lawn mover! or even helps her if she gets stuck. Hilarious!

I am so glad to see their love for each other grow and develop.

Happy Valentines Day!