The Seven Year Itch (Time to Say Goodbye)

When I started this blog seven-and-a-half years (and 377 posts) ago, I really envisioned it as a way to keep my family, but mostly my Mom, perfectly updated on all things Lainey. Sadly, I only had a few months with Mom as my number one fan, but other family and friends stepped in and supported the blog's readership--and I've loved writing for you all. Over the years, this blog has not only served as a way to deliver the latest on our family, but also as a much needed creative outlet and place to explore my thoughts, frustrations, and joys on motherhood. In those early years, this blog saved me from being swallowed by the demands on parenting and helped me cling to a sense of self-identity.

But, somehow over the last year, writing these posts has moved from special, self-care to another chore on my list. The posts have become more perfunctory and less introspective, and the act of writing them has become an energy zap instead of an energy zing. In short, I'm over it. And I want to put my energy towards other things.

So, as we close out another year, I find it a fitting time to say (with great emotion) good-bye. This is the last post for "Life's Next Chapter." Thanks for reading and coming along for the ride.

Life's Next Chapters Greatest Hits

I leave you with links to a few of my favorite and most-read posts from the years, should you care to stroll memory lane with me. Man, I'm so thankful to have these and ALL the others--the memories fade faster than you think.

7 Musings - October 2012

I'm Thirty What? - June 2013

Rock Bottom. I Don't Think So... - February 2014

My Son Plays with Dolls - August 2014

A Walk to Remember - March 2015

It's a Thankless Job - May 2015

Coloring Inside the Lines - July 2015

Lessons from Unicorns - September 2015

Parenting Advice - January 2016

John, Joan, and Gene - January 2017

To the Working Parenting - July 2017

Where are you going? - April 2018

A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas morning joy!

We had the loveliest of Christmases! We woke in our own house and had the entire morning with just the four of us—something I treasure beyond any gift I could have under the tree. Chris and Sean and Dad and Sharon all had easy travels and arrived safely at the house in the afternoon. The kids were the best behaved they’ve been in weeks, enjoying all the new toys and extra treats. Big wins on the gift front were an Echo Dot for Lainey and a 14-foot stuffed snake for Nick that trumped even the ENORMOUS Hot Wheels Ultimate Garage. As it turned out, Dad got him the same snake, delighting him beyond measure, but we did finally convince him he probably doesn’t need two, 14-foot snakes. The kids also scored a Nintendo Switch, which they were excited about, but in no way dominated the day—a big relief on our part.

Nick melted my heart with a T-Rex pendant that he picked out at the school’s holiday market. He had been dying to give it to me for the past two weeks. He hadn’t even unwrapped one gift when he caught sight of it under the tree, dropped his half-unwrapped present, and shouted, “oh, Mom! Your present!” He was beaming watching me unwrap it and when I saw that tiny silver dinosaur, I turned into a puddle. Such a perfect gift from my dinosaur-loving boy. While, maybe not the same sentimental connection, Lainey chose a very hip wood and stone bead bracelet for me. Super cool and gorgeous too! I’m very well accessorized now.

Presents and goodies aside, it was one of the best days we’ve had in quite awhile—just being together with no rush to be anywhere or interruptions from the rest of the world. The whole day was really wonderful. ‘‘Twas a very, merry Christmas indeed!

Still Thankful

We're over a week past Thanksgiving, and I could have just let this one go, but it's never too late and always a good thing to take a moment and show gratitude. Whether on Thanksgiving or just the first Sunday of December, I am ever so thankful to be surrounded with family and friends, who take me as I am, but help me to become better; know all my faults, but focus on my gifts; give unconditional love, but check me when I need it. 

Hoping everyone received good doses and of love and laughter this Thanksgiving and that December brings more of the same!

My favorites

The whole Brandi crew