Monday, December 31, 2018

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

Wednesday, December 26, 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!

Sunday, December 2, 2018

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

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Hello, is this Nick's mom?

Mark and I have joked that we expect to get lots of calls from the school about Nick. Well, the first one rolled in on Friday. Evidently, Nick and his buddies are roughhousing too much at recess and had been talked to about it. And talked to about it. And talked to about it, until it was time to call the parents. To be honest, it was a relief to talk to an adult about the situation. If you know Nick, you know he has a vivid imagination and tends to embellish on real events. He had already copped to the fighting when retelling his days at school, but we couldn't figure out if it was play or if he was getting beat up by other kids...or if any of it was really happening at all. Sounds like it's all in fun--but, of course not appropriate for school. I was slightly annoyed only because we JUST asked his teacher about this at his conference on Wednesday. She told us Nick was no problem at all and she hadn't seen any rough behavior. I'll give her two passes on this, however, because 1) seems this is at recess and maybe the supervisor hadn't reported it to her 2) there are some particularly rowdy and rough kids in the class, so maybe Nick just pales in comparison. Of course we had a sit-down with Nick Friday night, and hopefully we got through to him.

However, this behavior may be the least of our worries, because then came Saturday morning...

I get back from the grocery store and Mark says, "did you see my text?" I pull out my phone and read, "Nick just dropped the f bomb. Elaine said that he learned it from you. He said he learned it from (friend who I will not mention by name, so as not to drag another kid on my blog)." I am happy to report two things:

1) He did NOT learn it from me--and neither did Elaine. I forgot to switch off my podcast when picking up the kids last week and when I started the car, the very first word to spring from the speakers was an emphatic "f***." THAT was what Elaine was referencing when she said he learned it from me.

2) Mark said when he talked to Nick, he really didn't seem to understand that it was that bad to say it. In his mind, it was the same as calling someone "stupid."

Unfortunately, we had some out-of-town guests over last night and their 5-year-old son also has been using the f-word. Before you know it, Lainey comes running up the stairs all-to-happy to tell Mark that Nick just said "the word" again. It's lucky for Nick that the other parents had freely discussed their son's "experimentation." We allowed Nick an opportunity to explain the situation, and per Nick, "I didn't say it. I told him he can't say 'f***ing'." We got crystal clear (I hope) with Nick that there is no situation where he should ever use that word. If he's trying to tell a friend not to say it, he still can't use the actual word.

So now I'm way less concerned about getting a call about ninja fighting at recess, which is at least an age-appropriate offense with other willing participants. I'm now freaking out that I'll be getting a call from the office and every parent in the Kindergarten class over Nick's language.

Lainey may give us the fits at home, but Nick's going to be the one to turn my hair white...

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Pierced

Big step for our little Lainey today...two new holes and some bling to fill them! She was pretty nervous as we approached Claire’s, but she kept a stiff upper lip that broke into a huge smile at her first glimpse of her new look. Magic!

I wish I could say that the road to this moment was magic too, but it reality it’s been a rocky one. We were actually set to do this a few months ago, but the morning we were to go, Elaine’s behavior was so abhorrent that I shut the whole thing down and vowed not to take her until she shaped up. And again, I wish I could say that she indeed improved her attitude, but it’s not been a fun time at our house. Without going into all the details and examples, I’ll just say Mark and I are at the end of our rope (especially me). 

Thursday was a particularly bad morning that put me on the brink of tears all day. So, in my pain, I came to the only possible decision...it was time to take her to get her ears pierced. I knew we both desperately needed a special experience to share—one that wasn’t tied to any quid pro quo. Just Lainey and me taking on an adventure. And it really, really was a special morning that lead to a good heart-to-heart talk, and I know we both feel better. 

Oh, Laineybug, you fierce, sharp, independent girl. I love you more than words, and I know you love me. And we’re gonna’ be okay. 

You look good girl!

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Rise of the Dead (Blogger)

This blog is not dead; it was just in hibernation. But, what better night to rouse it from slumber than Halloween! I'll tell you, October sprang up out of nowhere and then ghosted right into November. We have been super busy with activities, work, and hosting loved ones in Chicago. Thank you Kammlers, Andersons, and O'Neill for traveling to us and bringing lots of love and laughter with you.

The Halloween candy haul has been an overwhelming success with the kids raking it in at Boo at the Zoo on Saturday, parties at school and the YMCA, and of course, good old-fashioned trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. We must have 25 pounds of the stuff...I don't think I'm exaggerating.

I'd love to write more, but I'm exhausted. But, I refuse to let this blog fade away into the good night. Posts may be sporadic and sparse until I can get my mojo back, but write on I will! In the meantime, thank heaven for photos to tell the story. I know that's what you really want to see anyway!

Happy Halloween!

Our little Dalmation and ninja!
Add one Mom Avocado! (Nick's ORIGINAL costume...and a story for another post)
Expertly carved pumpkins by Mark 
Boo at the Zoo
Uncle time!
More uncle time!
(I'm embarrassed that this is the ONLY photo I got of the Kammler visit.
It's still a good memory capture--cards with Lainey and a back massage from Nick)

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Who stole September?

Seriously, folks. September stuck around for a hot minute before October hit me in the face. I feel like I JUST wrote about the kids first week of school a few days ago, but the calendar says otherwise. While, we've been busy getting into the school year and activity routine--ballet for Lainey, karate for Nick, and swimming for both--nothing too noteworthy has been going down around here. Pretty much keeping the status quo other except for one, small and yet HUGE change to the house. After five years (yes, we've been here FIVE years!), we finally made the yellow house a little less yellow with newly painted shutters, trim, and garage. We love it! Mark gets all the credit for picking out the color scheme. It's really given the house a whole new personality. Check it out!


Before...


...and after!