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Tuesday, November 8
Friday, April 8
Some News
Hey! I just wanted to stop in here and let you know that there's going to be a new addition... to our yard! Plans are drawn up and soon we will start the adventure of building a new home. I will try to keep little updates coming about the progress - we are so excited about it! But for now, here is a glimpse of the front of the house as we hope it will (sort of) look when it's done...
Tuesday, February 8
Too Blessed to Blog
I've stopped many times over the last year or so to think about why I feel I can't blog anymore. Even writing this post is tough. I'm just not into it anymore. I've gone through so many different aspects of it - the stress I was feeling about "having" to blog, the anxiety I was experiencing while having a baby and a toddler (they were not the cause of the anxiety, but dealing with it while taking care of them was rough), and then the competitive side of me that got upset when I didn't feel that I had enough comments on my post. I really disliked that the response my posts were getting was starting to reflect on how I was feeling about myself.
I went through a phase where I was even bitter - because I felt that my blog got the most attention when I was in pain (through my miscarriages), and felt that I was only considered interesting when I was hurting. And then I felt a little annoyed that I was also only interesting when I was pregnant. What about all that is in between? When I'm not suffering, or when I'm not pregnant? How about the every day life? I wondered who was interested in THAT part of me - which really makes up a lot more of my life than these other parts!
The truth is that since I've let go of the blogging, a few things have changed and for the better.
One, I don't judge myself or the validity of my thoughts and feelings based on what OTHERS think (and therefore, comment). This is huge for me. I have learned to trust God more. I go to Him more often with these thoughts than running to my computer to put them on the web. I no longer get anxious or upset about the lack of comments. I really have come to peace with the fact that my blog had become a gauge of my popularity and wasn't for me anymore.
Two, I spend more time away from the computer. Yes, Facebook and other things still draw me to it - but I can look at those in a minute, while blogging required me to sit down and focus. I miss the blog days, of reading about everyone's lives, etc. However, I appreciate the quick glances into peoples lives via Facebook. The time I don't spend on the computer is time well spent, I think.
Three, the only thing I want to blog about these days is my kids. And because I find that I want to come on here and just gush and gush about them - I decided that I'd rather invest that time in THEM, and not you (sorry, still love you though!). I begged God for these blessings, and the LAST thing I want to do is turn my back on them and ignore them! Not that blogging really caused them neglect, as I tended to blog once they were in bed for the night. However, I would still find myself working on my posts during the day, while they would be clinging to my legs and trying to press the keyboard buttons. So perhaps when they go to school I will be able to pick up my blogging again.
Four, I found that I actually would THINK in terms of a future blog post. I would do things and react to things, and take photos of things merely for the sake of blogging about them - and was finding it harder to just enjoy the moment, instead of how I was going to document it. Yes, I think blogging was becoming a problem for me! Blog-a-holics Anonymous anybody?
Five, I was beginning to miss anonymity. I don't want to be unknown, but there were parts of my life that I felt had been over-publicized I think. This was completely self-inflicted. But I like getting together with friends, and then be able to tell them something going on in my life that they HAVEN'T already read in full detail on my blog. Sometimes these life glimpses are still caught on Facebook - but not the raw openness of blogging about it. I like being transparent, but I think there is value in being able to tell people about things going on with me face-to-face. We're losing a lot of the verbal communication we once had. Like the phone. So when I started to feel a little bare, and found myself wanting to run and hide, I realized that it was within my control to cover up and get that privacy I was missing. It's great to be transparent, but there is also huge value in being private.
I still often reflect about my quest (into) through motherhood. My blog still has purpose to me, and I will come back to it. Motherhood has changed me drastically. I knew it would, but I never knew it would change me like this. The changes are all good. As I learn to focus my time and energy on my kids, it also helps me focus on Who gave them to me. I feel so blessed... too blessed to blog. There are not enough words, nor time, to really do justice to the feelings I have for my God-given gifts. James and Rayya are worth every second of the things I am missing out on in the blogging world.
I went through a phase where I was even bitter - because I felt that my blog got the most attention when I was in pain (through my miscarriages), and felt that I was only considered interesting when I was hurting. And then I felt a little annoyed that I was also only interesting when I was pregnant. What about all that is in between? When I'm not suffering, or when I'm not pregnant? How about the every day life? I wondered who was interested in THAT part of me - which really makes up a lot more of my life than these other parts!
The truth is that since I've let go of the blogging, a few things have changed and for the better.
One, I don't judge myself or the validity of my thoughts and feelings based on what OTHERS think (and therefore, comment). This is huge for me. I have learned to trust God more. I go to Him more often with these thoughts than running to my computer to put them on the web. I no longer get anxious or upset about the lack of comments. I really have come to peace with the fact that my blog had become a gauge of my popularity and wasn't for me anymore.
Two, I spend more time away from the computer. Yes, Facebook and other things still draw me to it - but I can look at those in a minute, while blogging required me to sit down and focus. I miss the blog days, of reading about everyone's lives, etc. However, I appreciate the quick glances into peoples lives via Facebook. The time I don't spend on the computer is time well spent, I think.
Three, the only thing I want to blog about these days is my kids. And because I find that I want to come on here and just gush and gush about them - I decided that I'd rather invest that time in THEM, and not you (sorry, still love you though!). I begged God for these blessings, and the LAST thing I want to do is turn my back on them and ignore them! Not that blogging really caused them neglect, as I tended to blog once they were in bed for the night. However, I would still find myself working on my posts during the day, while they would be clinging to my legs and trying to press the keyboard buttons. So perhaps when they go to school I will be able to pick up my blogging again.
Four, I found that I actually would THINK in terms of a future blog post. I would do things and react to things, and take photos of things merely for the sake of blogging about them - and was finding it harder to just enjoy the moment, instead of how I was going to document it. Yes, I think blogging was becoming a problem for me! Blog-a-holics Anonymous anybody?
Five, I was beginning to miss anonymity. I don't want to be unknown, but there were parts of my life that I felt had been over-publicized I think. This was completely self-inflicted. But I like getting together with friends, and then be able to tell them something going on in my life that they HAVEN'T already read in full detail on my blog. Sometimes these life glimpses are still caught on Facebook - but not the raw openness of blogging about it. I like being transparent, but I think there is value in being able to tell people about things going on with me face-to-face. We're losing a lot of the verbal communication we once had. Like the phone. So when I started to feel a little bare, and found myself wanting to run and hide, I realized that it was within my control to cover up and get that privacy I was missing. It's great to be transparent, but there is also huge value in being private.
I still often reflect about my quest (into) through motherhood. My blog still has purpose to me, and I will come back to it. Motherhood has changed me drastically. I knew it would, but I never knew it would change me like this. The changes are all good. As I learn to focus my time and energy on my kids, it also helps me focus on Who gave them to me. I feel so blessed... too blessed to blog. There are not enough words, nor time, to really do justice to the feelings I have for my God-given gifts. James and Rayya are worth every second of the things I am missing out on in the blogging world.
Saturday, January 15
December Edition
Well, it's official. I don't really blog anymore! I have so much to say that I can't seem to put it all into tangible thoughts that are worth blogging! But we're enjoying life, and we've been busy! I know that what you all want to know about is the kids, so here is a little update on their lives.
James loves preschool, and the fact that he is now four. He usually introduces himself as James Kennedy Plett, "and I'm four now". While on vacation recently, I told him it was Tuesday and he was mortified that he was missing preschool! Thank goodness we didn't miss any actual days of preschool! He is still into playing with Disney Cars toys, and when he didn't get something related to that at Christmas he would very openly express his disappointment. He did get a few new cars and trucks from the collection, and plays with them every day. His favourite show on TV is Cat in the Hat. He loved being in Maui again, particularly getting to see his cousin Emily and catching geckos. He complained every day that we went to the beach, but then he never ceased to have a BLAST once we got there (he would have preferred the "three deep pool" which he means to say "three foot deep pool"). James is struggling with listening, and that's been our latest thing to really crack down on. He is still having a hard time eating a variety of foods, so if you have any suggestions - please send them my way! He loves to play his Vtech Mobigo as well, which was a toy he got for Christmas - but mostly for on the plane and in restaurants. He astounds us with his abilities, especially to remember things, and his absolute love for numbers. The laughter around our household is usually also related to James - and either something he's created, something he's said, or experimentation with a new word that sounds far to advanced for a four year-old. James recently overcame a fear of going to Heaven when he was told that our yellow house with purple doors would be there, and that it could have a built-in waterslide. The only thing he still isn't sure about is why Jesus is invisible. This dude is hard to get a picture of these days - he's so busy, and isn't too keen on being in photos.
Our little sunshine never stops making us smile. She is so easy going, pleasant and makes us laugh with her bright, super happy personality. She now is officially walking - and has experimented with high speed walking, as well as jumping. She is slowly beginning to talk more and more - though often her "babble" comes out sounding just like what we think she might say in any given situation, which makes us think that she might be communicating more than we give her credit for. However, there are a few things we do know that she says clearly, which are hi, bye, Mommy, Daddy, James, kitty, puppy, yes please, and apple. Rayya makes friends wherever she goes - and smiles at nearly everyone she meets. She is best known for comments about her blonde hair. Apparently seeing such blonde hair is rare! She loved being on vacation in Maui - and we can't think of any time on our trip that she was unhappy or even discontent. This is a good thing, because we have another trip coming up - where she will be walking down the aisle in front of her new Aunt 'Cedes (Mercedes). Rayya is attached to her soother and favourite blanket, loves teddy bears, babies, puppies and kitties, and giving big hugs! She is always happy to greet us with a squeal - even if we've only been gone for a few minutes. Rayya enjoys playing with our play kitchen, James' cars, and pretending that various items are telephones. It's easy to capture Rayya's pretty smile - because she loves the camera, and is always happy to say "cheeeeeese" whenever she sees it.
James
James loves preschool, and the fact that he is now four. He usually introduces himself as James Kennedy Plett, "and I'm four now". While on vacation recently, I told him it was Tuesday and he was mortified that he was missing preschool! Thank goodness we didn't miss any actual days of preschool! He is still into playing with Disney Cars toys, and when he didn't get something related to that at Christmas he would very openly express his disappointment. He did get a few new cars and trucks from the collection, and plays with them every day. His favourite show on TV is Cat in the Hat. He loved being in Maui again, particularly getting to see his cousin Emily and catching geckos. He complained every day that we went to the beach, but then he never ceased to have a BLAST once we got there (he would have preferred the "three deep pool" which he means to say "three foot deep pool"). James is struggling with listening, and that's been our latest thing to really crack down on. He is still having a hard time eating a variety of foods, so if you have any suggestions - please send them my way! He loves to play his Vtech Mobigo as well, which was a toy he got for Christmas - but mostly for on the plane and in restaurants. He astounds us with his abilities, especially to remember things, and his absolute love for numbers. The laughter around our household is usually also related to James - and either something he's created, something he's said, or experimentation with a new word that sounds far to advanced for a four year-old. James recently overcame a fear of going to Heaven when he was told that our yellow house with purple doors would be there, and that it could have a built-in waterslide. The only thing he still isn't sure about is why Jesus is invisible. This dude is hard to get a picture of these days - he's so busy, and isn't too keen on being in photos.Rayya
Our little sunshine never stops making us smile. She is so easy going, pleasant and makes us laugh with her bright, super happy personality. She now is officially walking - and has experimented with high speed walking, as well as jumping. She is slowly beginning to talk more and more - though often her "babble" comes out sounding just like what we think she might say in any given situation, which makes us think that she might be communicating more than we give her credit for. However, there are a few things we do know that she says clearly, which are hi, bye, Mommy, Daddy, James, kitty, puppy, yes please, and apple. Rayya makes friends wherever she goes - and smiles at nearly everyone she meets. She is best known for comments about her blonde hair. Apparently seeing such blonde hair is rare! She loved being on vacation in Maui - and we can't think of any time on our trip that she was unhappy or even discontent. This is a good thing, because we have another trip coming up - where she will be walking down the aisle in front of her new Aunt 'Cedes (Mercedes). Rayya is attached to her soother and favourite blanket, loves teddy bears, babies, puppies and kitties, and giving big hugs! She is always happy to greet us with a squeal - even if we've only been gone for a few minutes. Rayya enjoys playing with our play kitchen, James' cars, and pretending that various items are telephones. It's easy to capture Rayya's pretty smile - because she loves the camera, and is always happy to say "cheeeeeese" whenever she sees it.
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