Enjoying the Journey

Well, this is a nice change of pace ... instead of yet another article about how having kids has been found to actually make your life MORE difficult, less fun (never mind all that fuzzy-focused dewy lovey stuff), Bryan Caplan says having twins taught him to be a better parent by worrying less.

"The obvious lesson to draw is that parents should lighten up. I call it 'Serenity Parenting': Parents need the serenity to accept the things they cannot change, the courage to change the things they can, and ... the wisdom to know the difference. Focus on enjoying your journey with your child, instead of trying to control his destination. Accept that your child's future depends mostly on him, not your sacrifices. Realize that the point of discipline is to make your kid treat the people around him decently -- not to mold him into a better adult."

Just for the joy of it

Any rainy day, the first thing HM does upon getting out of the car is head straight to the closest puddle and JUMP. Splash splash splash, with lots of giggles.

Nice to see we humans aren't the only ones who like to splash splash splash.

Big thanks to L.F. for this spot of joy on a Friday.

Striving for imbalance

I read another article today about that mythical work/life balance. Here's a good part:

"Instead, do as these women did, and strive for imbalance [emphasis mine]. Pinpoint the strong-moments in each aspect of your life and then gradually target or tilt your life toward them. This means being as deliberate as you can about making them happen. It means investigating them when they do happen, looking at them from new perspectives, and celebrating them. Above all, it means giving them the power of your attention."

Be here, NOW. When at work, think about work. When at home, think about home. I fall out of touch with the world on the weekends, because I'm almost never in front of the computer. I'm catching up on household stuff, sure, but I'm also having movie/pizza night, taking hikes, going for longer runs, and making sure my weekend is the escape from my work week it's meant to be.

The other stuff can wait.

Jacket: Style & Co., gifted
Sleeveless white bubble shirt: Nicole, bequested, DA
Green plaid skirt: Jones Wear, thrifted
"Jade" necklace: bequested

Yes and No

NO

Source: solestruck.com via Alexis on Pinterest

YES

Source: vi.sualize.us via F on Pinterest

YES

Source: oddee.com via Becky on Pinterest

When it rains ...

Yes, Her Madness and I both have kickin' rain boots. That being said, sometimes a girl's got to pull out the cowgirl boots to stomp through a rainy Friday.

Something sweet

Another thing I would jump all over if I had more time and funds. Instead I'll creep in while she sleeps and tuck a quarter under her pillow. Hopefully it won't turn into a dooce-like stealth operation.

House Rules

Source: lalalovelythings.blogspot.com via Marianna on Pinterest

Also, in our house:
Always take a no-thank-you bite. Maybe two.
Find a solution or stop complaining.
And most of all: God damn it, you've got to be kind.