Changing Times

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

This is the play set in our backyard. We’re getting ready to retire it and share it with a new family.

Jeff and Steve built it several years ago and it has provided much entertainment for our kids and for friends and family who visit. Our kids are growing up and don’t really play on it anymore, so it’s time to say goodbye even though I feel attached to the memories. Once in awhile they will sit on the swings or sway across the monkey bars. We’re ready to let it go and to make space for something new.

Making space. That seems to be another theme of mine this year, along with letting go. How can we let go of the past to create space for the new? Letting go is sometimes challenging because of all the memories encapsulated in the stuff. But letting go allows us to experience something new and I’m all for that. Even though I feel a bit sad as we get ready to let go.

I’m excited to be giving the play set to one of my PEO Sisters who has two young daughters under the age of three. I love giving things away, knowing they are going to good homes and knowing that another family might be able to enjoy what was once ours. It is silly to feel a connection to stuff, but I am connected to the memories of youth and little kids and the am proud that Jeff and Steve built this for our kids. Gving it away makes me fully aware that my kids aren’t little anymore. *big sigh* I am happy that other little ones will get to enjoy it though and create their own fun memories.

Life is good. Namaste.

Times are changing… here we go! I wonder how we’ll fill the space. Got any ideas?

28Jun2014

My Babies

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

This is my baby girl who got a cute new haircut today.

My baby girl is really a teenager, but I still call her baby girl and think I always will.

My baby, who is almost double digits, tells me that he is the baby and always will be because he’s the youngest. I tell him that she is also my baby, even though she’s not a baby anymore.

He gives me a big hug and tells me that he’s so glad he came out of my tummy, as he rubs it and squeezes me tighter. I squeeze him back and hold him a little longer saying, “ditto!”

My oldest baby comes home tomorrow after being away for a week with our church youth group on a service trip, and I am so excited! I have missed him so much, even though I know he is safe and having the time of his life and is growing up and all that good stuff. But he’s still my baby and I like him safe in my nest. I’ve been feeling his absence and guess I’m getting a small sampling of what it will feel like when he moves out for college in a few short years. I can wait.

I am thankful for all my big babies!

What do you call your children? Will they always be thought of as your babies, like I do even when they are grown?

Life is good.

29May2014

Teens

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

What’s it like parenting teens?

I’ve got two of them right now, and so far, so good. I’m hoping we stay liking each other over the next 5-7 years, as I hear these years can be rough.

They say the golden years are from 4-12, when they are old enough to listen and understand consequences and still think you know it all and are the best.

At our house, we are practicing every day. That’s how I describe my parenting/ coaching and their learning/figuring-life-out-for-themselves processes. We are practicing. We are not perfect. We play and work hard and disagree and we make mistakes. And we start over again and again. And we forgive each other over and over and let go of anger as quickly as we can, never staying mad over night. We are learning. We are practicing. And so far, so good. I’ll check back in 5 years and see if we won!!

For now, I’ll keep practicing, learning, loving and enjoying these remarkable teens that live in my house.

Love this life. Love my teens. And the little one too. And the big one, of course!

22Sep2013

Enjoying the Moment

Posted in Uncategorized by adrianahartley

When we moved back, we decided that on Sundays we wouldn’t make any plans and that we would use this day to rest and to be together and present and to just enjoy whatever came our way.

Of course, things don’t go as planned and I’m ok with that. It’s great to have a plan and then expect it to change. I’d still like to keep this as our plan, but I’m ok when things come up and we decide as a family to go with the flow. Like today.

Jeff had a social work function come up that brought families together and we decided to attend, as a family. Best decision of the day. CJ had to stay back as he’s still recovering from his mouth surgery. But the rest of us went together and had the best time. Thank you to Bonnie for planning, and inviting all of us to your house and giving us the opportunity to enjoy each others’ company. I loved watching the kids play while the adults socialized and enjoyed delicious food and conversation. The highlight of the day was listening to Hyle’s children play the guitar and sing. They were so good!! I love hearing people play the guitar. It’s my favorite instrument. I loved watching and listening to two young teenagers playing together without fear and with confidence and passion. I was so inspired and thankful that they chose to share their talents with us.

They were awesome and I loved hearing their story.