I’m writing this post as I sit on my comfy leather couch for the first time since moving into my new place. Sitting hasn’t been on the agenda as of late. I’ve been slowly moving since last Wednesday. We’re not closing on our old house until this Friday, so I have the luxury (or curse?) of time on my side.
We’ve got all the big stuff in our new house though. It’s really just small odds and ends and cleaning up the old house before saying goodbye to it. Bittersweet, I suppose, but I love my new place. It’s a much more manageable size for me and my boys, and we’ve got a playground that’s typically full of kids just steps from our backyard.
In the past few weeks, I’ve packed up my big old house, finalized a divorce, acknowledged what would have been my “firstborn’s” fourteenth birthday and an almost 14 year wedding anniversary, and moved into my new normal.
Who am I kidding? I am still moving into my new normal. And I’m enjoying every moment. Because even when the stress piles on and the to do list seems like it has no end, life is still pretty darn good.
A big New England blogger meetup with Bev from Linkouture, Tamara from Tamara Like Camera, and all our kiddos!
Sometimes you have to just stop and breathe. Or maybe just take off for a few days and meet up with some good bloggy friends and their kids. While I should have been packing, it was worth it to meet up with people whom I had only (with the exception of a quick meeting at BlogHer in Chicago) corresponded with online. And when we met in person, it was if we had known each other for years.
Of course, I couldn’t let summer go by without letting Biz ride on his very first big roller coaster. While I stood mildly terrified on the ground, he just made the height requirement. Had he worn different shoes, it might have been a different story.
It pays to stop for some fun every now and then.
During the chaos, I was also tagged on Facebook to do a five day gratitude challenge. While I’m not big on those type of challenges, I figured it was a good week to acknowledge my gratitude publicly. Gratitude is good for the soul after all.
Since last week was a blur, I decided to take a look at what I shared:
- My two amazing boys, who will always be my #1
- My inner strength, which has taken me further than I ever thought possible
- Those people in my life who “get it” (and still stick around even when they don’t)
- My furry boy, Kailua, who still gets mistaken for a puppy even though he’s 11
- Meaningful words and actions
- Knowing what happiness means for me
- Adventures new and old
- A big, comfy king-sized bed
- Good wine after a long day of shlepping boxes
- The ability to work for myself and follow my dreams
- Big opportunities
- Secret, non-judgmental Facebook groups with sinister hashtags
- Freedom
- Good, supportive friends near and far
- The amazing view from the high road
I’d say the list is pretty accurate.
While my brain continues to go in all directions, I am starting to settle down. And still stopping for fun every now and then. I’ll be back reading blogs and responding to your wonderful comments. I’ve missed you all this past week.
Aww, loved that pic of you with Tamara and Bev and truly wish I could have joined. Hoping we can all meet up soon! And wonderful gratitude list 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted..Fotor Limited Time FREE Photo Editing
i have been thinking about you and praying for you sooooo much!!! I love that you were able to let go for a bit and meet up and embrace such an amazing opportunity to see the gals!!! (*Jealous*)
Did you come up with that last gratitude? OHMYGOSH HOW I LOVE IT!! It needs to be FRAMED or on a bumper sticker or in one of those cool art signs – I couldn’t THINK of a better thing to say for you…
“The amazing view from the high road”
I could also see a post written on this very view… or a book. Wouldn’t it be the perfect title?? 🙂
Chris Carter recently posted..Summer’s Grace for Moms
I’ve missed you so much too! My days don’t feel complete without some sort of interaction with you. So glad your office is set up and you are close to completely moved in. Looking forward to catching up with you more! xoxoxo
Alexa recently posted..Cephrael’s Hand
I’m so glad you stopped for fun! I haven’t been doing enough of that lately.
Katie @ Pick Any Two recently posted..The 5-Word Motto Truly Healthy People Live By
You know what’s funny? I was in the middle of chaos and my interstate move last year when Steph, Tamara, Michelle and I and families had our meetup. And it was just what the doctor ordered. I am glad you got to take a breather in the middle of it all. And you all look fabulous. And I’m thinking of you lots these days and I totally want in on that Facebook group! I have a few sinister hastags of my own I’m sure!
Ilene recently posted..A Modern Family Romance Part Two
I love this post! And of course I still have to upload my photos from that day! What a fun day. It was awesome and for me, it was in the middle of crazy anxiety about shooting a wedding and putting together end of summer and fall details. And I wasn’t at all anxious that day! Trust me, you would have noticed.
Instead, it felt like home.
Tamara recently posted..Sometimes I Don’t Give Myself Enough Credit.
I’m so glad you took a break from packing (and I took one from unpacking) to meet up! Stopping for fun is definitely important, and I haven’t regretted it at all since having Eve.
Bev recently posted..Learn a new creative skill with Craftsy
Sounds like a bittersweet summer. But I love that you have so much gratitude for so many things. That is where you find your light when dark times come around.
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I love that you got to meet up with Tamara and Bev! And you have a great gratitude list too. I think it’s good sometimes to just make a list like that that makes us think of all the good we have in our lives.