2012
The theme of 2012 for me is "challenge". I should probably get a sign made or embroider something or get a special engraved bracelet.
I know, you're all thinking "Rachel needs a challenge?". Well, it's sort of like that and sort of not. I'm a little bored, frankly. That's part of it. I've been a stay-at-home mom now for 7-1/2 years and while I'm extremely grateful to have had this opportunity, it does have its moments of sheer, tearing-out-your-hair boredom. Let's face it, there's not a whole lot of adult stimulation in changing diapers, making sure everyone gets their teeth brushed and sorting whites from darks. Among 1,230,613 other things equally as soul crushing when repeated ad nauseum. I need to challenge myself to alleviate a little of the dull monotony of everyday life.
Also, I need to challenge myself to do things that I've not always been comfortable with. For example, I thought to myself this morning that I will host birthday parties for the kids this year. I will rent a space, buy decorations, and invite their classes and friends. I have never done this for any of my kids, one: because we have no family nearby; and two: because I have a crushing fear that I would invite their class members and friends and no one would show up. Well, they have been begging me for a real party and you know, it's MY stupidly irrational fear, not theirs, so this year, I'm challenging myself to throw real parties for them.
You know, because Annika's breakfast with Mickey Mouse at Disneyworld last year just doesn't cut it...
We have barely gotten into this new year and I went ahead and pulled the trigger to get a puppy. Puppies have been on our mind off and on through the years since we last had dogs. Now we finally have a nice big backyard and the kids are old enough to be enthusiastic about helping out (though we're still trying to sell them on poop scooping). I like the idea of having a dog in the house when Hans is gone, a dog that will make anyone trying to break into my house crap his pants in fear with a single bark. It's safer than the gun.
Puppy will be the challenge for January. We haven't settled on a name for her yet, so in the meantime, it's just Puppy. She won't be here for another 7-14 days, so we have some time to adjust to the idea. It's slightly terrifying, even though I know we were ready. I thought to myself this morning that it's a bit like peeing on the stick and watching that second pink line appear: frightening and glorious, all in one! But we'll be able to take Puppy to the kennel when we vacation and I won't have to drag a kicking and screaming Puppy to the grocery store where he will scream until he: (a) gets a cookie; and (b) is allowed to ride untethered in the rear of the cart.
I'm going to be busy reading some Monks of New Skete and surfing the web for a great place for a little girl's birthday party.
Oh, and of course, I almost forgot: the No New Clothes Challenge of 2012! How could I forget that? Gen thought it up...we both have SO many clothes. Ridiculous amounts, really. I mean, I couldn't go a year without wearing the same thing twice, but it'd be close. So. She challenged me and I challenged her and we're going to try not to buy a single new piece of clothing in 2012. We are allowed to buy accessories...which is good because I'm a crappy accessorizer and this will force me to focus in on changing it up a little from my everyday jewelry and trying some new things (challenge!!). Gen and I even made a pact for approving clothing purchases that cannot be avoided (ie: Navy Ball, corporate stuff for her, etc.). I have a serious addiction to online shopping, so this is truly a challenge for me...to ignore all those great offers coming in from Gap, Banana Republic, J Crew. Alas, my good friends, I must refrain...I will be back in a year.
If I survive puppies and parties and living without a new sweater or pair of jeans once and awhile!
I know, you're all thinking "Rachel needs a challenge?". Well, it's sort of like that and sort of not. I'm a little bored, frankly. That's part of it. I've been a stay-at-home mom now for 7-1/2 years and while I'm extremely grateful to have had this opportunity, it does have its moments of sheer, tearing-out-your-hair boredom. Let's face it, there's not a whole lot of adult stimulation in changing diapers, making sure everyone gets their teeth brushed and sorting whites from darks. Among 1,230,613 other things equally as soul crushing when repeated ad nauseum. I need to challenge myself to alleviate a little of the dull monotony of everyday life.
Also, I need to challenge myself to do things that I've not always been comfortable with. For example, I thought to myself this morning that I will host birthday parties for the kids this year. I will rent a space, buy decorations, and invite their classes and friends. I have never done this for any of my kids, one: because we have no family nearby; and two: because I have a crushing fear that I would invite their class members and friends and no one would show up. Well, they have been begging me for a real party and you know, it's MY stupidly irrational fear, not theirs, so this year, I'm challenging myself to throw real parties for them.
You know, because Annika's breakfast with Mickey Mouse at Disneyworld last year just doesn't cut it...
We have barely gotten into this new year and I went ahead and pulled the trigger to get a puppy. Puppies have been on our mind off and on through the years since we last had dogs. Now we finally have a nice big backyard and the kids are old enough to be enthusiastic about helping out (though we're still trying to sell them on poop scooping). I like the idea of having a dog in the house when Hans is gone, a dog that will make anyone trying to break into my house crap his pants in fear with a single bark. It's safer than the gun.
Puppy will be the challenge for January. We haven't settled on a name for her yet, so in the meantime, it's just Puppy. She won't be here for another 7-14 days, so we have some time to adjust to the idea. It's slightly terrifying, even though I know we were ready. I thought to myself this morning that it's a bit like peeing on the stick and watching that second pink line appear: frightening and glorious, all in one! But we'll be able to take Puppy to the kennel when we vacation and I won't have to drag a kicking and screaming Puppy to the grocery store where he will scream until he: (a) gets a cookie; and (b) is allowed to ride untethered in the rear of the cart.
I'm going to be busy reading some Monks of New Skete and surfing the web for a great place for a little girl's birthday party.
Oh, and of course, I almost forgot: the No New Clothes Challenge of 2012! How could I forget that? Gen thought it up...we both have SO many clothes. Ridiculous amounts, really. I mean, I couldn't go a year without wearing the same thing twice, but it'd be close. So. She challenged me and I challenged her and we're going to try not to buy a single new piece of clothing in 2012. We are allowed to buy accessories...which is good because I'm a crappy accessorizer and this will force me to focus in on changing it up a little from my everyday jewelry and trying some new things (challenge!!). Gen and I even made a pact for approving clothing purchases that cannot be avoided (ie: Navy Ball, corporate stuff for her, etc.). I have a serious addiction to online shopping, so this is truly a challenge for me...to ignore all those great offers coming in from Gap, Banana Republic, J Crew. Alas, my good friends, I must refrain...I will be back in a year.
If I survive puppies and parties and living without a new sweater or pair of jeans once and awhile!
