A New Resolve

From the time MacKenzie was born in 2003 until this past June I worked full time from home - almost 5 full years. It was difficult to get out and be too social when I am a full time mom with kids, a husband & home to take care of, as well as church responsibilities in addition to the 40 hours of work from home. It was always a juggle, with many, many, many late nights and early mornings (three to fours of sleep a night). That schedule just became a regular thing in my life - something I had to do.

Sometimes I had to make the "sacrifice" to just go be part of a play group or a lunch bunch group just so I didn't go insane. Those days of course, left me up later or up earlier the next morning. Then, this past June I received a phone call. The company had to make a large lay off to stay a float. My job was being absorbed into the office, they no longer needed me. It was a shock at first. I had been with the company since almost the very beginning - in fact, other than the CEO and one VP, I was second in tenure. Fortunately, Josh and I knew this day would eventually come. It was a huge blessing that we had already been putting some other plans into place to take care of my income so I didn't need to go out and find a new full time job.

At first I spent a lot of time traveling: Washington DC, Chicago, Columbus, Disneyland, Cleveland, and Phoenix (too many times to count). Then things settled down. However, over the last couple months I realized that my home body habits had not really changed. I no longer had to work all the time, stay up late or get up early, but I still didn't go out and do things. I found myself keeping an immaculate home, spending a lot of time on Facebook & here on my blog. Yes I had crafts and projects for the kids, but still we never went out. I do go into the school to volunteer in Alexis' class once a week, but other than that, I still had not been too social. Shame on me!!!!!

Because of this realization that I had about four weeks ago, I made a new resolve in my life. I decided to go out every single day. I would go find something to do somewhere just to be out and part of the world. Now I go out every single day with my children and do something to be interactive with new people. And let me tell you I have been having a blast.

Things we now do on a regular basis: go to the zoo, library, reading time, play area at the mall, park for lunch picnics, park for dinner picnics, play dates, lunch dates, and more. I have had the chance to enjoy many conversations with other parents. Some of which have lead to exchanging information and additional play dates. One of my favorites is Monica & Brett. One day at the last minute I decided to take the kids and a neighbor friend to the park for dinner and play time. Josh was gone to a business meeting and Spring Break was almost over. I wanted the kids to have one last hurrah before it was back to the school time schedule. There I meet Monica and her husband Brett. They have a daughter Brendon's age and a new little 4 month old little boy. I saw her trying to juggle the baby and her little energetic daughter, Sophia. My girls were self sufficient, but Brendon is fearless so I am always up on the playground with him. Since I was helping him, I started helping Sophia as well. When Brett got there and took over the playing I had a chance to get to know Monica. We all had such a fabulous time that we exchanged info and now regularly meet for play dates.

My new found freedom is wonderful. I am so thankful for the promptings that I had to go out and build new memories for my family, friendships with others (who needed them just like I did) and to continue to step out of my comfort zone to grow myself as a person.

Thanks to Monica who always has her camera on her, here are a few pictures from our last outing to the park.

Brendon with his "guns" or "swords". If something isn't a car it is one of those two things.

The girls making a train down the slide. I love the pure joy that can be seen on their faces!!!!!!!

Alexis & Sophia. Prior to this day Sophia refused to go down the big slide. But following Brendon's example and with Alexis' assistance she became a fan of the big slide!!
All of the kids having a grand time. There was a baseball game going on when we got there so the park was packed, but within an hour it cleared out and we were the only people at the park.

This was a very windy and cold day. Once the sun set it got chilly very fast. Monica snapped a picture of me pushing the kids on the swings. They liked the "under dogs" just like my Dad did with me when I was growing up. That is Monica's husband, Brett, in the foreground of the picture. We left shortly after this picture because it was sooooo cold!

Now that I take more time to go out I haven't been on Facebook and here on my blog all the time like I was. Some of you may have noticed that I don't check your blog quite as frequent (although I do read and comment on everything I have missed since the last post I looked at) and I don't post on mine nearly as frequent as I was. I will still be around and checking, but I am filling my time with things that are so much more important. I now develop better memories for the kids and a stronger me. I am blessed to have this opportunity and I am taking full advantage of it now!