If you have not read the blog post about being "full of awesome" you must go read it now!
And speaking of awesome, my girls definitely are ...
I've blogged before about my irrational fear of missing something. This fear applies to many areas of my life - I try to go to every required meeting for Junior League for fear of missing something, and I get caught up in sales for fear of missing the "big deal" (remember when I bought the shark hand vac?) So it's only normal that I almost got swept away with the rest of the country last week when Missoni fever struck at Target stores nationwide. I happened to be at Target last Tuesday morning when the store opened and the line debuted, however, I was shopping for a baby shower gift and was fairly oblivious to the fact that the clothes across the store would be sold out by lunchtime. I was in the checkout line with some girls who were buying dresses, scarves, and sweaters but I honestly didn't think much of it. I thought they were cute but not my colors. Then I watched the Today Show the next morning and saw the people running into the stores Black Friday style. I instantly regretted not buying a ton of it. I know - ridiculous! All day, I wondered if I should go back and see if they had anything left. Not because I wanted to wear it, but because if everyone else wanted it then I should to ... right? Luckily the rational part of my brain prevailed and I did not go back. I did take a peek when I was there again on Friday and was only slightly tempted to buy Ava a little sweater dress (the baby stuff was all that was left!). I might be a little crazy but at least I know it ;)
10 years ago our country was attaacked by terrorists and we were forever changed - as a country, and as individuals. Many people have been posting on Facebook about where they were and how they found out the World Trade Center had been hit. I was in college at FSU and I spent that morning in front of the television at my sorority house with my sisters - in shock, grief and disbelief. The specifics of my own morning aren't important, but I find it interesting how an event like that can burn itself into our memories so vividly. I can't remember the details of very many hours of my life as well as I can those of that morning. If I'd had a blog back then, I wonder what I would have written? I wonder if I would have written at all. It seemed like someone hit the pause button on life for a few days and we all just watched and waited to see what would happen next. Many people died that day, and many more have died in the years since. Today I remember. I remember those who lost their lives. I remember that freedom isn't free. I remember to give thanks for my family, my country, and my God.
I wonder how we will explain what happened to Addison and Ava as they grow up. How do you even begin to explain such evil? They are so innocent and loving, I wish I could protect that innocence forver. But when the time comes, I will explain. I will also tell them about how our wonderful country pulled together in the days and months following the attacks. Because that part is just as important as the event itself. May we never forget.
Before I forget, I must blog this. This has unexpectedly been one of the best weekends I can remember. I went into it feeling really sad because my parents didn't end up coming, as well as feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of a long weekend with no hubby around (he's working a huge job this weekend and is gone from 8 am-10 pm every day). Instead of the mayhem I expected, we've had an incredibly special weekend together. I actually feel guilty because my husband has missed it. Being solo with the girls forced me to put aside all chores and obligations and just be completely present with them. We have gone swimming, had a playdate, spent time with extended family, watched Cinderella, read books in bed, went to Target to buy Cinderella slippers (what a cash cow that princess stuff is!), and Ava and I actually got a nap together while big sister slept - all cherished moments.
I don't want to blink and you know why, just the thought of them growing up makes my eyes all watery. I'm feeling very sentimental and happy right now and I wanted to blog about it to make sure I remembered this amazing weekend. I haven't had time for pictures but I think it's going to be etched on my heart. I just listened to Addison sing "twinkle twinkle" on the monitor and I thought my heart my burst. And it's not even over yet - tomorrow we'll top it off by making cookies and having another paydate with friends. I am blessed.
On another note, Addison took swimming lessons last week! After only 4 days she's holding her breath and almost fearless when trying to swim underwater. She needs to work on kicking and remembering she's not actually a fish (she kept trying to get away from me and swim into the deep end of the pool) but I am thrilled with her progress. This video isn't the best example of her new skills, she was too wound up to do what she was supposed to but it's still cute. (please disregard me in the bathing suit)
I love the internet and I love reading blogs. It borders on an addiction at times. Yet for the past 2 weeks, I have been a bit absent from the blogosphere. It has felt really good. I have certainly missed reading my favorite blogs and I have missed blogging regularly myself - I still think about blog posts often, they just don't make it here. I am one of those people who is always afraid I'm going to miss something but it's been surprisingly easy to be away. I am still on Facebook and Pinterest often, but only when I have time, and it's been in a form of relaxing/wasting time.
A lot of bloggers are doing a "30 days" series in September which I initially thought I wanted to participate in. Obviously, that was not a realistic idea. I am gradually finding balance and order in our new routine. I am getting caught up at work and feeling less stressed at home (I pray it lasts). I think I'm ready to start trying to blog again 3-5 times a week but it's hard to say what will happen. I love this blog because it's a journal of sorts for my life, I really don't want to let that slip. So, all of these words to not really say much of anything except I missed you and I'm back ... I think ;)
