No Pictures

I keep going back and forth on blogging. I don't have a ton of motivation to use time for blogging, though I still enjoy reading the blogs of others. I don't turn my blog into any sort of book since I use Instagram for that. I never end up posting my essays or opinion posts because I don't take the time to edit properly and I think a lot of them would make me sound a bit crazy. But I don't like the idea of not doing it at all...

I do think if I'm going to keep posting it needs to be something other than the pictures I've already put on Instagram...because I don't like reading repeat material so I'm guessing other people don't either. So maybe I will edit my unpublished posts on motherhood, politics, and meal ideas. :)

Anyway, for a random Friday update...

This was week one of BSF. I'm a children's leader this year which means we are there for two mornings instead of one and much longer than the 2-hour class segment. I think we're going to enjoy it (me and the boys) despite the challenges. I have smaller kids who don't talk and aren't potty trained. Definitely not the age group I would have chosen but I'm trusting God has a purpose in this. It's not a glamorous position to serve in, that's for sure, so it's good for me.

Our neighbors and closest friends here are moving. Just 10 minutes down the road, but still, it's not the same as across the street. With young families and busy schedules it can be pretty complicated to get together with people so it's invaluable to have "spontaneous interactions" and be able to get together last-minute because it's easy. And it's not just easy, we really like them and they're fabulous, helpful neighbors so it's pretty sad. It's made us think more seriously about moving into the city by Devin's work (where we wanted to be in the first place but couldn't find the right house). Life is always changing, isn't it?

For awhile I think I had in the back of my brain that maybe in a year or so Devin would work remotely and we could move back to our friends and family, but that continues to look less likely. It's been good for me to see that as not really being an option and just dig in and be where I'm at.

I have had dozens of conversations over the last several months about making friends in this stage of life. It seems almost all the women I'm talking to are saying the same thing, "I want authentic relationships, the types of friends that will just drop in unannounced, but developing those are so hard." And we read books by people like Shauna Niequist who have these amazing cooking clubs and small groups and friends who are just like family and wonder what the heck is wrong with me that I don't have that. My sister Betsy shared this article about that subject and it really resonated with me. Here's the article if you're interested: Making Friends

Henrik isn't doing preschool this year since we're at BSF twice a week and that's a lot like preschool (better in my opinion). But I can tell some people think it's weird he isn't going. The norm around here is sending kids to school really early, but I'm ok being an outlier with that. I actually have no clue if he'll ever be "sent" to school and if he is where he will go. It stresses me out to think about making that decision because the options here are endless.

Devin turns 30 in a few days. We're planning to celebrate with our kids on the day and then in a couple weeks do a weekend with some fun things while the kids go to Grandma's. Devin and I are big "celebrators" so we're going to do his 30th right. :) Although, I don't enjoy figuring out gifts for Devin because he is a bit picky. And I definitely don't surprise him because he knows what he wants...but I'm the same way so I can't fault him in that. I did buy him a couple gifts, so we'll see how they go over.

Well, I should go pack up hundreds of snacks for our quick zoo trip this afternoon. We're only going for an hour or two to end our Friday but inevitably the boys start wanting snack after snack about 10 minutes after we get there. It's a low-key weekend for us, which sounds really nice. I can't tell you how thankful I am that I genuinely just love spending days with Devin and our boys. There was a time in my life where I didn't think I could be ever be satisfied being in the throes of 'family life', but most of the time I really, really am. Most of the time. After all, I am a restless soul.