EDITED: AnnieB-Please see end of post for info about the cabins at Bear Lake.
I am an indoor girl. I have three degrees of comfort. I LOVE my air conditioning. So what was I thinking when I decided to take my three daughters, two nieces, and mama CAMPING for the weekend. I guess I was thinking of how much fun we would have! And it really was such a blast. Of course, I did learn quickly how much work camping is. Cooking meals, hauling equipment, keeping track of all the parts pieces and clothes involved with 8 female campers.But the memories can’t be beat… check out pictures from our trip. (note: the SUV we rented had NO space for all the bags, food and equipment. I literally loaded up the kids then packed all the STUFF on top of them. They were troopers…)
Some other memorable moments…
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After years of working remotely, I have gone back into the office full time. [Don't get me wrong...I am not complaining. In some ways going into the office everyday is a very welcome escape.] It’s nice to get dressed up and be among adults. Adults who care about your opinions, adults who think you’re kind of cool! But as a single mom of three very active little divas…I wonder how I will ever fit it all in. Do I need to? Is trying to fit it all in just an exercise in futility?
Between cheerleading, church callings, work, creative adventures, chores, school, and everything else that life brings… it can be challenging. [to say the least] But I have been blessed with an amazing family, great girls, and a fantastic group of friends who all serve as my little village. And over the years, through lots of ups, downs, mistakes, victories, tears, and joy – I have realized that it is the small captured moments that have really made a difference.
1.Dinner – we strive to eat dinner together every night. We are not 100%, but pretty close. I grew up with home cooked meals and try to do that with my girls. I am spoiled… since my mama lives with me she helps a lot with the actual cooking duty. But there are plenty of nights I come home and put together a quick meal. The girls are all involved in getting dinner on and off the table, so they see what goes into it. And the time we spend together just chatting and laughing is a great way to spend precious time together. It’s my time to listen about the days exploits and just connect over a yummy meal.
2. Commuting – Being at work for 10 or more hours a day, each moment is precious. Taking my oldest daughter school when I can gives us a chance to bond - if even for just a few minutes. She often gives me little glimpses into her life as we head to school. Since it’s often just the two of us, we both enjoy distraction free time. Sometimes, this am chats serve as a time to correct her and help her stay “on track” with her goals and standards. But most of the time, its just us hanging out on the way to work and school. (And I would never want to miss a moment like Sierra’s mustache phase?)
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Here I AM! Since Christmas I have been pretty low tech. Taking time to hang out with my fabulous family and enjoying the winter break.
Once the kids were back in school… OPERATION AWESOME is underway. Basically it is my multi point resolution to be a better me. As so many people do this time of year… I have chosen a “word”… BALANCE. I have chosen this word before, and quite honestly failed at attaning anything that even slightly resembles it. This year I am hoping it will be different. The big thing is that my mindset is different. My goals are about long term improvement. So rather than simply losing weight – I am resolving to get healthy. I have set some ambitious goals for my professional life, which in the past felt like I was working against balance. But the reality is that “balance” is different for everyone. I am a single mother of three awesome and active daughters. So what balance means to our family will be different than what it may be for yours.
Other resolutions revolve around enjoying life a little more. Taking time to soak in the little moments that are so easily missed in a crazy busy life.
To be better equipped to make these goals and such… step one is operation organization, leaving my studio for last.( Of course I will share the journey once I get to it. ) And getting each room in the house clean has left little time for anything else.
Phew. So let the journey begin… and I wish you well on what ever journey you are embarking on yourself!
In short…
This is Sedona.
She is the youngest of my three totally amazing daughters. Tonight, she showed me what the holidays are all about. I was sitting on the couch in the living room admiring the Christmas Tree and enjoying the neighborhood lights. In walks my little one. She plops herself next to me, and with out any hesitation asks me to sing with her.
So sing we did. Christmas tune after Christmas tune… laughing all along the way. Joking the way only Sedona can. Lea and Xander joined us. The Xman added his own special brand of dancing – complete with kick ball change, marching, and even a little break dancing. Sierra and Savannah joined in adding more love and laughter. And ending our little “program” with our own rendition of the 12 days of Christmas - ”and a pickle in a white plastic tree”. All the glitter, tinsel, and lights are the outward expression of what this season is about. LOVE.
Thanks Sedona, you rock.
Usually when I hear that topic at church (Sunday school) I want to head for the hills. This last Sunday, part of our Sunday was devoted to just this topic. But I have to say, I am glad I did not run. There is no better topic to help refocus your life as a single parent than this one.
I often get asked, “how do you do it all”. Well, aside from the massive lack of sleep I have in my life, the real answer is that I DON’T. Not by a long shot. I do my best… but I fall very short of reaching the status of doing it all. I am very blessed to have such fantastic kids who are so wonderful in so many ways. But as my little divas are getting older it becomes more and more evident that being a single mom is not the ideal scenario. [not that I ever really thought it was except for my pink wall that no self respecting man would allow in the family room]
As we discussed the tips and reminders of being a good husband, wife, and partner in marriage. It really made me think. It made me think and come face to face with what it is that really separates me from those with good spouses. The funny thing is, its not what most people would think. Its not the money, or day to work of running a home. It is the support that comes from someone asking how your day was. The feeling that SOMEONE cares about how things are, how you feel, what you did, your accomplishments, your failings, your insecurities, your stress. Of course in these economic times I would be remiss if I wasn’t stressed over money. Who isn’t? But money, house work, career issues… those are all just issues that need a solutions. They are not matters of the heart. (at least in my opinion they are not) As the RS President asked the men to describe ways to show love and support… I wanted to jump out of my seat. Who better to ask than a single mom! We after all know exactly what is missing from our days.
So to answer the question “How doI do it all”? The simplest answer is that I dont. My studio looks like a scene out of haorders, there is ALWAYS laundry that is behind and needs washing, folding, my baseboards are dusty, I should mop more often, I don’t get to spend as much time with my girls as I wish, my car needs fixing, and so on and so on.
But I love my family I love them dearly.There is nothing I won’t do for them. I hold to my faith very tightly. I rely on my extended family, my friends, and anyone who reaches out a helping hand. And then… its just one foot in front of the other.
This past spring Sierra made the Westlake 6th grade squad. And I have to admit, when she went to try out, I was not sure she would make it. But after a summer of hard work, she really has become quite the athlete! She is strong and sharp and really takes the sport seriously. I admit, that before being involved, I didn’t think much of cheer. But after seeing how they work and condition these girls.. I am truly amazed! She is a base in a strong stunt group… and with continued tumbling training, I know she will take this through high school.
Recently, Sierra and her squad went to competition. They placed 4th, and would have liked to place higher. But seeing that the other squads had been together for a few years compared to this being Westlake’s first year… they really did a phenomenal job. I am so proud!
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