Wednesday~November 18, 2009
When Asher first started doing his one arm up in the air, one arm pointing to the ground dance, it killed me. It was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen, this little airplane person in the blue glasses, shaking his shoulders and bobbing his head, then adding a little butt wiggle for effect.
I wish that stuff stayed as funny and adorable after the seventy-eleventh time you’ve seen it as it was the very first time. I suppose it’s just human nature (especially adult human nature) to see something so many times that it loses it’s oomph and just doesn’t lift you in quite the same way it did at first. Of course, if it’s your child, it remains adorable and endearing and you point it out to everyone, but it’s just not the exact same as the very first time you experienced it. And then you want that new feeling back.
Or maybe it’s just me…
Maybe that’s why we’re always looking for the next thing, something that brings that belly laugh or a few moments of excitement. At least I’ve always had a tendency to consistently change things up, to jump into something that keeps life interesting, to grow bored with sameness. Impulsive.
My boys are helping me with this. They’re teaching me about contentment, about being comfortable in my own skin (even as it wrinkles and sags), and about truly seeing the beauty in the smallest of things. You know, the extraordinary in the ordinary. They are teaching me to be exactly who I am no matter what life is doing around me. A person can do that when they’re seeing beauty in small things.
All these years, I’m not sure why Ryan and I have been so quick to do big thing after big thing after big thing, but maybe it has something to do with that need for excitement, or a fear of the ordinary. I guess what I’m saying is that I’m so glad there’s a shift happening, a desire for sameness, really. A desire even for simplicity and a slower pace to life. Of course it’s going to take some work to get there, with this whole moving and getting settled thing going on. But we’re getting there, to a goal of slowing down.
And I like it.
I finally like it.
So many of you have so kindly asked to see photos of our next house. I’m totally flattered that you would give a hoot. So, here’s a sneak peek for you…
What? You were looking for more than pictures of the floor?
Well, that would ruin the future before and after photos, don’t you think?
P.S. I took these photos during the inspection (which our purchase agreement was contingent on.). There are a couple of major things that need to be done, and since we didn’t know about those things when we signed the agreement, they may be deal breakers. SO, here’s to hoping that the current owner will agree to fix said big things. Because we really love this house.
The End.
{ 47 comments }
Speak the truth sista. Being able to breath is an incredible gift to yourself and your family.
The pursuit if happiness can grow quite weary – finding contentment – that's where it's at.
(and yeah, I just ended a sentence with a preposition. I'm content in my grammar world :-)
P.S. an apple tree!?! Love it!
I know! TWO apple trees. (swoon)
(I don't really know how to bake anything with apples, but apparently, I'll learn)
Oh I LOVE it!! So unique :) Perfect for you!!
We're guilty of looking for the next big thing here too. This is the first year we haven't gotten engaged or married, had a child, or moved, in… well… our whole relationship!
Hang in there lady!
If it goes through I will be there, ready to pick apples!! I'm really excited for you Heather!!!
Love the pics, Heather. And I'm trying, really trying, to stop looking for the next thing. Because the things right here right now are pretty great in their own right, huh?
I am a "jumper" as well, and all this sameness in one place is killing me! I will try to take your advice and enjoy the things around me more.
I hope everything works out with the house! It looks awesome!
Kid's are so dang cute. sameness is good!!
The house looks nice, hope things go well!
okay, the house rocks! fingers crossed.
i so know what you mean about looking for the next big thing… something to sink your energy, hopes, time into. i kind of had the same realization or awareness or whatever that i can and should sink all of that into what is around me. i don't know if it is just a result of "growing up", but i am finding it a little easier to just enjoy the slow, undramatic, boring, consistent life around me. it's a nice feeling.
congrats on the new house! It's amazing!
I am so loving the vintage look of your new home! (fingers and toes crossed)
I am loving how Asher's binky matches his glasses even more!
Your children are adorable and they are very fortunate to have you for a mother.
Hi Heather.. It's so wonderful to finally "meet" you here on my first visit here. And am I glad I did.
It's like you took a page out of my motherhood. I am so there with you. You have no idea. ;)
My fave: "They're teaching me about contentment, about being comfortable in my own skin (even as it wrinkles and sags), and about truly seeing the beauty in the smallest of things. You know, the extraordinary in the ordinary."
First of all, Love that outfit in the first pic! He is adorable!!
COol new house and ADORABLE little boys. Those Asher's are hoots aren't they?!
COol new house and ADORABLE little boys. Those Asher's are hoots aren't they?!
Once again we seem to be thinking along the same lines! LOL! However, I'm nearly a decade older than you (I think) so for me it's realizing that the "Big" choices are made and that life is now all about the simpler things. It's an interesting place. Learning to be content without some new, big 'thing' looming on the horizon.
You're still in the 'building' phase of life but in another few years you'll be where I am. The fact that you're learning to be content with the little things is wonderful! Hopefully the "Mid-Mom Crisis" won't hit you as hard as it hit me.
Isn't it just wonderful and amazing the things our children can teach us…contentment is something i am so trying to achieve…
Your boys are beautiful!
Your new home is awesome I hope the sellers agree to the new terms! Look how big that backyard is….you will be making lotsa memories back there no doubt!
Heather, I've enjoyed my visit to your blog and the theme of this post really speaks to me today.
Last night Husband and I started talking about having another baby – we already have two sons (six months and two years) and the birth of our second has plunged us into chaos (joyful, glorious chaos, but chaos nonetheless). But things are starting to calm down. And maybe we're looking for the next big thing. Your post reminds me to stop and enjoy the stillness for a moment before taking that next hit of adrenaline.
Thank you for that.
I SO want to not look back and wonder how I frittered so much time away trying to make things happen when there's so much perfection right now. I just want to look at each day for what it is – another set of hours to love and adore my family. And that is big enough for me.
Fingers crossed for your house!
BHBEB does Miley~
"So I put my hands up
They’re playing my song,
And the butterflys fly away
Noddin’ my head like yeah
Moving my hips like yeah…"
Sweeeeet!!
:p
xo, crock
The next thing holds excitement and romance… but today, this quiet minute can be a memory. Maybe it's a trade off?
(I have something I want you to read at my blog today, if you have a minute to stop by…)
Love the new house! Can't wait to see more pictures!
Oh my gosh, you hit upon my favorite blogging topic today — looking for the next big thing. Contentment. So illusive. The kids do help, I admit. They help me focus on the here and now. They help me appreciate God's hand in the ordinary. Love this post!
I am struggling with contentment right now too. I even wrote something about it too. I wish that i didn't look for the next big thing so much. I sometimes miss the really good small stuff.
Me too, I need to get use to something *not* happening in the year coming up (or maybe it does… we aren't sure).
It looks like a fabulous home with some great potential – yes, I'll be super excited to see before and afters.
Having now lived in one place for the longest time I ever have since I got married, I can honestly say that sameness has it's appeal, especially as the kids get older.
Love the house. I hope things go well!
I think I have the opposite problem. I love simplicity. And a slower pace. And breathing.
But fate thinks I'm being funny or something, so apparently I'm consigned to a life of hecticness. Is that a word? Oh, well. No time to fix it now. Gotta go, go, go!! :)
I wish I could see that dance. The picture is adorable. And I loved getting a view into your new house!
I hear every word. The calm amongst the crazy and the push for more not always being the best thing. With my first son I reached and reached for milestones. New moments. New "greats!" And now? Now I see the baby is 18 months and time is pushing right past me even as I put up my best block. I am already sad for the future and I haven't even gotten past today. Or tomorrow. Or next month. Another Christmas.
Christmas. A thought: one of the reasons I so wholly love Christmas is because there is joy in every moment of that day. And there is present in all of it – not just in the presents.
psst: i like the sneak peek. thanks. and psst: i really like that Kristen up there. go take a peek at her, too!
Apple trees! APPLE TREEEEEEEEEES! I'll be expecting a homemade danish shortly.
Praying that God's hand continues to guide the process – bumps and bruises and inspections and all.
A new house will yield even more new and fun ways to enjoy the simple things. I hope your sellers agree to the repairs!
i hope they fix it too!!
or knock some serious $$ off the price :-)
I do think that's the beauty of living in a small town — enforced stillness. I was just telling a friend today that was one of the benefits of our old home. My lifestyle was much quieter, much more still — and that was only because I had nothing else to do in a 20-mile radius. It took that kind of extreme measures to get me to settle down and see the benefit of a quiet heart.
I covet your yard. Badly.
Congratulations on the house, Heather! It's gorgeous.
I'm trying to learn to be content too. It's hard. I miss the shiny new. I miss the exciting, spontaneous laughter. Of course, I love settling down into the old, feeling it wrap around me and knowing that here, I am safe. Here, I am loved.
Oh, I love this – I feel I have squandered so much of right now looking for the next thing – and I am hoping I get to the place you are, which I can see but not quite get to yet, where I like the slower pace. You are an inspiration!
Good luck! Hope the house stuff pans out. And that dance? Can you picture it on a forty-something-year-old man? Better put a stop to that, and QUICK! haha
Crossing my fingers & toes in hopes the house works out for you all. I'd love to see his moves on video – what a cutie. I am a planner so I find myself looking forward too much and not relishing the present. This is a good reminder.
I am glad you are slowing down and linking it!
I thought for sure your new house would be one of those century old ones with the porch on the front and the sormer windows.. but this one is cool. Artsy! :)
Love the pic of the little coloring one… so sweet. I hear ya on the slowing down- it's on my list of things to do 'one of these days'…
I see you everywhere, but have been so caught up in catching up I have not jumped on over to say hi…so "hi."
My kids have taught me so much about enjoying the simple things . a rock, a bug, singing Hush Little baby 1000 times. You just have to LOVE kids.
Good luck on the house! Moving is fun and taxing (we did it 4 years ago! And not ready to do it again…yet!)
Holly @ 504 Main
Loving those photos! The floors look incredible and what is that wonderful window? Plus, the tile? I'm loving this and hope it works out.
the little things that are truly the big things. the theme of my life.
and that dance, the glasses, the boots? too.much.cute.
Hoping it works out!
I think my favorite thing about Grant's age is that just about every day, something new happens to make me laugh. Last night, he decided all on his own to try winking at us. He does by baring his teeth in a huge grin and squinching his eyes really hard. It made me laugh. And it's something every stinking day. If it weren't for the pregnancy and labor part, I might never stop having kids because this stage is just so fun.
I have a video of boy #3 reciting lines from The Princess Bride when he was three r so, and I swear to goodness it is as funny now as it has been over the past ten years!
And I LOVE the house's design. This is seriously the kind of house I would choose! Good luck with everything.
Stopping by from SITS. Great post. I think a lot of people have a hard time being comfortable and content with "now". I know my husband is included in that. I often remind him to just sit back and enjoy.
I hope things go okay with the house. Buying a house is so stressful!
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