Family

A family is a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation.  If I feel in my hearts of hearts that someone is family, then no one has the right to say they aren’t.  All my life I have been introduced to “aunts,”  “uncles,” “cousins,” and tons of people on the side of the road that my parent’s have described as being related centuries ago.  Some of those people I’ve come to love for my own reasons based on our own relationship no matter how big or how small.  I know some wouldn’t consider them my family but I do and they are.  If I feel love for them and from them, they are my family. 

This weekend was spent with multi layers of family.  Friday evening CC and I attended the wake for my dear Auntie Anne who some would say wasn’t my aunt.  She was my dad’s aunt’s husband’s sister.  But not just that, my mom also knew her from the time she was 7 yrs old because they all lived in the same neighborhood.  See how confusing the actuality is?    You’d think we’d be so far removed that we wouldn’t know each other all that well but we did and we do.  I was one of the first people to walk into the wake and I was recognized instantly.  I even learned that my Auntie Anne just mentioned me three weeks ago.  She was one of those rare special people who made everyone around her feel special.  The type I hope to be one day! 

Then yesterday CC and I spent the day with our extended family.  It was my godson’s high school graduation and 18^th birthday party.  Definitely a day to celebrate and everyone came with their party hats on!  While I walked through the crowds and watched CC play with the other kids and toddle among the adults, I felt a wave of affection wash over me.  These are the people who will love her and watch her grow over the years.  We will spend holidays, birthdays, celebrations, and the teary eyed times together but they will love her for her just as they love me for me.  One of my goals in life is to surround CC with family of all types so she can feel the many layers of love!

Just as I was getting ready to post this, I happened across this quote on Pinterest and thought it was too fitting not to share! 

Going Down

I’m not feeling so hot these days and the emotional roller coaster I’ve been on is only going to get bumpier.  I have to remind myself each day to be thankful for those who support me, love me and just let me be me.  I never thought I’d be where I am but I will be the strongest of the strong and hold on to my daughter tightly until the queasiness subsides. 

Daily Lesson #1

Go for a walk - Today I drove over to Hidden Lake and walked the gravel path around the lake.  My pace was slow, my breaths deep, and my eyes closed as I titled my face to the sun.  It’s amazing how good some fresh air and sunshine will make you feel! 

Groggy

Another morning following another night of less sleep than anyone should ever have.  CC has never been a good sleeper.  Her first 7 weeks of life brought us about 3 hours a night of broken up sleep and very few naps lasting longer than 10 minutes.  Fast forward one year and we’re still working on her sleep training.  We’d have a couple weeks here and there when she’d sleep for 6-8 hour stretches at a time.  Then it would go back to being up every 2 hours and taking almost an hour to get her down each time.  The only positive is that she’s a happy baby even when she’s up all night.  She cries when she wakes but then cuddles right into your arms or wants to play in the dark.  The weekend of her 1^st birthday the boys were out of town so I let her cry when she went down and in the middle of the night so that she could learn to put herself to sleep.  It worked and she started sleeping more regularly.  Not through the night but in longer stretched and then when she did wake, she’d go back down in 20 minutes without fussing.  Oh how my body has gotten use to sleep again.  I forgot how good I could feel!  But the last two nights have been bad again and I’m not sure what to do or how to get over this new set back.  She’s going to bed with no problem at seven but waking at eleven thirty, wanting to play.  She’s been up until past two in the morning and then up for the day at her usual five.  I’m dragging and so is she.  I’m hoping this is all because of her molars breaking through or maybe a growth spurt and that it will pass soon.  It seems every time we start making progress and I’m feeling normal again, we revert to old habits.  Sleep, eating, working out, the same is true for all. 

Déjà vu

I tried writing a blog a few years ago and life got in the way.  (This Is My Life) Don’t you hate it when that happens?!?!  So here I am, ready to do this again.  I need this place to get my feelings and thoughts out of my head.  I’m not sure if anyone out there will be interested but I know this will help me to breathe a little easier each day.  I hope you enjoy the ride because my life is quite the roller coaster these days!