#32 - Finally a Response!
Lydia,
It has been ages since I’ve written to you… somehow these days it’s felt impossible to find time to sit and write a letter. We talk over the phone regularly which has been so lovely! But to sit and compose a letter, putting my thoughts coherently onto a page, has been a challenge. This is partly due to the fact that my laptop will no longer charge and I can’t find a replacement cord for it. Ugh, built-in obsolescence…
A larger reason, though, is how busy and overwhelmed I’ve felt. Although the end of my ridiculously long divorce process is finally in sight, it’s still something that causes a lot of stress and overwhelm in my mind due to the good-not-great custody agreement we’ve reached (long distance arrangements are not for the faint of heart, as I’m quickly learning) and the irritating fact that Kevin’s attorney seems to be intentionally dragging out what has already been a painfully drawn out ordeal. But, all that being said, the end is near and it won’t be long before this chapter is closed.
I can relate to your struggles with having one kid behaving nicely and the other not so much. Alder and Poppy take turns with this “good kid/bad kid” thing and it really is such a struggle to feel like you are complimenting one child on their helpfulness or kindness while telling the other to stop whining for the thousandth time that day. It can easily feel like I am favoring one over the other, especially when Alder tells me he thinks I only like Poppy and not him. Some days are harder than others. I pray for more patience because that has been hard to come by lately and frustration seems to sit right under the surface and is easily triggered when both kids are acting out.
I’m hoping to get into better habits and routines to help give myself extra time in some areas, especially the mornings before heading out the door for work/daycare/school and save myself some energy in other areas, like simplifying my dinner plans. Maybe it’s a long shot but hopefully these things will make a big enough difference in our lives.
It’s been crazy to hear your tornado stories. I’m so glad you guys have been unharmed but how crazy that these storms have hit so close to you and affected people you know. It’s kind of funny that you’ve always talked about being a storm chaser and now the storms are coming to you.
How cute are your chickens! When will they start laying eggs? What color will they be? Do your girls love them or are they scared of them? You’ll have to let me know if you find the labeling of chickens as “the gateway farm animal” to be accurate.
I’m really looking forward to our UP trip this summer! The more I look at pictures and maps of our destination, the more excited I am. Kayaking and hiking are some of my favorite things to do so this will basically be the perfect trip. Can’t wait to really start honing in on our plans!
Janie