The Awkwardness of a Reboot

It's funny - it's my personal blog, so I can do whatever I want with it, yet I'm not quite sure what it will be this year.  Is it a family blog to keep people updated or preserve memories for the future?  Is it a journalling blog, where I ramble and meander from topic to topic, wherever the wind blows?  Is it a testimony blog?  A homemaking/marriage/parenting blog?  Meh, I don't know.  I'm having an identity crisis.  I think that paralyzed me last year too.  But what I DO know, is that writing is good for me.  I've always said that you can judge my mental health by the state of my house (if it's tidy and neat, that means I'm feeling strong, if it's a disaster, that means something's wrong), and that's true to an extent about writing.  If I'm writing regularly, it means that I'm making time for myself (not in that New-Agey, Oprahesque "me, me, me" way, but in a forcing myself to be contemplative and reflective).  So, I'm going to worry less about content and output, and focus more on the process.  This blog will be eclectic.  Somedays it'll be family-oriented, somedays it might be about organization or parenting.  I'm sure I'll share a recipe or two.  Hopefully I'll talk lots about where I'm at in my reading.  I want to make sure I discuss whatever spiritual insights have caught me for the week.  At the end of the day, though, what's most important is that I just sit down and DO it.  I'm not going to use the "I" word (can you guess it?), because it's all over blogs during this time of year and it's just too precious for me.  But I am going to use the word Responsible.  I'm in control of ME, within the confines of my human world.  So, if I say I'm going to write more, than, with the help of God, I'm going to do just that.  Are you getting the sense that this is about more than just this little blog?  Right you are.  I don't want to be grandiose and egocentric with all this predictable talk about resolutions and the like.  But, certainly the novelty of a new calendar leads one to be reflective and think about the big stuff in life.  Responsibility is going to be a big theme for me from here on out.

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Welcome 2015

2014 was a year of transition in our home.  It was more of the "negative" transitions, though, tearing down old methods, bad habits, preconceived notions, and prejudices.  It wasn't always pretty work, but it had to be done.  2015 is going to be our year of rebuilding - rebuilding our marriage, our family, our security, and our future, and our dreams.  The foundation is the easiest.  That is Christ, always and forever.  This wall quote features prominently in our dining room, and I strive to notice it multiple times a day.  Because my strength, and even James' strength, is not enough for the task ahead.  Only through the grace of the Almighty, given wondrously and freely, will we be able to be all that He intends for us to be as individuals, as a couple, and as parents.  Onward to 2015, and with all gratitude and appreciation to our God and King.

Sun Valley

This year Hero competed in her first out-of-town skating competition.  It was a mixed bag, due to a lot of back-and-forth between Sun Valley and Boise, and two ER visits (!), but it was very interesting, and it's fun to get away, even if it's just for a long weekend.

Independence Day

4th of July is one of the easiest holidays.  It's a day of relaxation and pure fun.  We eat a little, swim a lot, and enjoy some fireworks in the street (I think this year was the best I've seen).  At heart, I'm a girly girl, and I was so excited by the prospect of just having some extra time without rushing around in the morning that I decided to play with my girls' hair.  I think it turned out pretty cute.  For all four girls, I spent about three hours doing their hair, but honestly it didn't feel that long.  It was a good three hours of girl time, with laughter and chatting.  I need that more often, I've determined.

Hero Graduates from Junior High

It's strange to think that we have only three more years with our oldest child living full-time under our roof.  She is so ready to move on to high school, so I think for her, graduation from West Junior High couldn't come fast enough.  She had a great three year run there, earning a 4.0 Award, Presidential Academic Award, and Outstanding English Department student (a girl after my own heart) Award, and was one of the 12 Best Of West nominees.  I foresee great things for our super-responsible and smart daughter, and it's fun to watch her future unfold.

Our 16th Anniversary

We celebrated 16 years of wedded (mostly) bliss on May 23rd with a dinner date to Tucanos and a rare photo together.  We purchased a fire pit as our gift for each other.  We've used it a few times, but man it's been so hot this summer that it's hard to get out there and stomach the heat until after 9 or 10.  Hopefully we can use it more in the fall.

Cecily Turns 5

Cecily was so excited to turn 5!  She thought it was the hugest deal in the world.  We celebrated on her birthday day with a little homemade cake, and then on Saturday we had a party with the eight of us and Papa in the backyard.  As you can tell by the lift in her chin, she's a very confident and self-posessed 5 year old!