A forced slow down.

Any runner will admit, if only to themselves, that when they get to a stop light and the cross walk turns red, they're secretly relieved. Take a breather, stretch it out, refocus. Unless you're one of those who actually competes to win (and I mean more than your age group in a local charity 5k), the required break isn't really an option. So you might as well enjoy it.

Kids are like that I think. Like breaks for your life. Yes, you're very busy but it's with the details. The overall picture slows down and you start to enjoy the process again. It's hard to be anywhere on time. Add two infants and I've started using "ish" a lot when describing our plans. As soon as you make peace with the idea that a 4 hour trip to town solely to get milk is how you will spend your afternoon, the important things become a little more obvious. It's definitely taken some emotional adjusting, and I absolutely still rebel at the inefficiency but making your daily agendas about having fun along the way and not just checking off a to-do list can be, if you let it, pretty freeing. Our weekends used to fill up months in advance. Now we actually have conversations about what we'd like to do that day.

It took two kids and over a year but I feel like I'm letting go. A little. :)

"What do you want to do this afternoon."
"How about a walk."
"Perfect."

 

3.14.12

I appreciated:  new walking routes.
I could have done without:  work stress.
I learned:  3.14 is apparently pie day.  I'll have apple.
I noticed:  babies in the hammock.

3.13.14

I appreciated:  adult discussion.
I could have done without:  being yelled at for 5 hours.
I learned:  left handed tubs vs. right handed tubs.
I noticed:  my pillow.

3.12.12

I appreciated:  Dave.
I could have done without:  neighborhood sad news.
I learned:  quicksand is formed by upward flowing water or earthquakes.
I noticed:  view from the other side of the farm.

3.11.12

I appreciated:  a perfect balance of productivity, relaxation, and company.
I could have done without:  the usual.
I learned:  the moon is between 356,400 and 406,700 kilometers from the earth.
I noticed:  Rowan's first belly laugh.

3.10.12

I appreciated:  overly generous mama friends.
I could have done without:  springing forward tonight.
I learned:  banana baby food is good in the freezer for 30 days.
I noticed:  morning.

3.9.12

I appreciated:  pesto.
I could have done without:  monotony 
I learned:  sled dogs have a specific whine for polar bear warnings.
I noticed:  how quiet the house can be.

3.8.12

I appreciated:  motivation.
I could have done without:  inner monologues.
I learned:  neophyte means beginner.
I noticed:  helpful shoppers.

3.7.12

I appreciated: breakfast with solids!
I could have done without: bedtime meltdown, both theirs and mine.
I learned: when cooking homemade frozen lasagna, thaw it out first.
I noticed: sunshine through our bedroom curtains.

3.6.12

I appreciated: early work release.
I could have done without: mud.
I learned: Steve Jobs took apart and put back together his atari at age 9.
I noticed: amazing view from what I'm calling "sunset point".