Finley: Parent Teacher Conference 2012

So yesterday we met with Finley's teachers for her parent teacher conference.  I don't know why these always make me so nervous, but they do!  I was definitely more nervous last year than this year, but I still went in curious to see what they would tell us about our little girl.  It's kind of strange to hear them talk... to hear the things that we see on a daily basis with Finley and then those that we rarely if ever see because they have a different relationship with her and different interactions with her.

They pretty much just told us how great Finley is doing.  That she is smart and has a huge vocabulary for her age.  They also said that she interacts with the other kids well and that she is very sweet and loving towards them.

A few weeks ago, I went to pick Finley up and she was still sleeping so I had to go in and wake her up.  While I was getting her shoes on, one of the other kids in the class threw something and had to go to "Chill Out".  I laughed and asked Finley if she ever had to go to "Chill Out" and when she said "No" I laughed even harder.  Time Out is an almost daily occurence at our house so I didn't believe for a second that she wasn't getting sent to Chill Out at school, but Miss Brandi overheard and confirmed that Finley had never gone to Chill Out.  Of course, a couple of weeks later, she came home telling me that she had thrown playdough on the ground and had to go to Chill Out for it.  I love this stage where they actually fess up to getting into trouble!

So obviously, I am thrilled that Finley is doing so well at school.  I am glad that she isn't getting into trouble and that she is learning what she needs to and participating so well.  We received a whole printout on their High Scope curriculum that has observations of her meeting each objective.  I know it's just Mother's Day Out, but their program really is so much more than baby-sitting!

Devin and I also had a chance to talk to her teachers about something that we were concerned about and they were completely supportive and very understanding.  I was so relieved that it went so well.  As parents, we felt it was important to advocate for our child, but at the same time, we also don't ever want to be those parents who have unrealistic expectations or who think that their child is "perfect".  Thankfully, they had seen the same thing we had and agreed completely with the request we made.

So another year down.  I love seeing Finley grow and develop!  I love hearing all about her personality and how others find her as funny and endearing as we do!  They did mention that she is always the first to answer and though they thought this was a good thing, I fear that she may end up being that annoying kid who is the teacher's pet or who always has the right answer and doesn't let anyone else talk or get it right!  We'll see!  I *may* have been like that so I don't want to jump to assumptions, but do want to keep an eye out for it.

After naptime, I took Finley to get icecream at Braum's to celebrate her good report!  She loves, loves, loves icecream and it was such a fun treat for her!  I don't think she completely understood why she was getting such a yummy treat, but I just told her how proud of her we were and that we wanted her to keep doing her best at school and being such a sweet girl to others.  She was satisified with that... especially with chocolate icecream in front of her!

Dear 2011... Dear 2012

Dear 2011,
Yes, I know it is already February and that I have already had a month of 2012, but I am behind on life these days.  2010 was a difficult year for me.  I don't think I realized just how difficult until the new year arrived.  I couldn't quite place my finger on why it was so difficult... no one died, we were expecting baby #2, we had a good marriage, we liked our house, we found a church, made some new friends, etc., etc.  And yet, it didn't change the fact that 2010 was HARD.  And though it may have taken me most of 2011 to realize why, I finally did.  The truth was that in 2010, God uncovered some scars and picked at some scabs.  The hardships of dealing and confronting the fact that I hadn't come as far as I had hoped kept me constantly insecure, anxious, and lonely.... and that wasn't a fun place to be.  It seemed that with every blessing of 2010, I endured a bit of growing a long with it and so I wasn't exactly sad to see it go.

But 2011, you were a great year!  You made 2010 worth all the growth and hardships. I may have dubbed 2011 as the year of the unknown, but in the end, it was the year that God reigned down blessing after blessing.... the year that He answered prayers that I had wanted to give up on.... the year He restored the weary.

My resolution for 2011 was to "Do more by doing less."  I thought with having Jude, I would surely slow down and focus on what was important.  I knew I needed to reprioritize and believed Jude would force me into it.

But then Jude was born and I found that if we thought Finley was an easy baby that Jude was every bit as easy if not more so.  Finley adapted quickly and easily to her role as big sister and I found that I actually loved being a mom of two more than I had being a mom of one.  Somehow the 2nd child made me feel less like I was playing "dress-up" and more like I was actually a mother.  Giving me a confidence, peace, and a joy that I didn't know I could possess with motherhood.

It, however, did not slow me down and by the end of the year, I regretted not allowing it too.  I was tired... happy, but tired.  Of course, Jude's increased activity (not to mention being pregnant again!) played a part in that fatique, but I did feel that I had wasted the chance to reprioritize in 2011.  I'm hoping not to make that mistake again.

At the beginning of 2011, Devin had been in a new job for less than 2 months.  We felt confident in his decision to make a switch, but were completely unprepared for the blessing that it would be for us.  Really, blessing is an understatement.  Devin's new job has been much more than a monetary boost for our family, it has been a lifestyle change.  Yes, Devin still works long hours and yes, he works further away making lunch trips home impossible, but Devin loves his job and his boss is someone I would easily consider a member of our family despite the fact that I have only been around him a handful of times this past year.  When God answered our prayers about Devin's job, He did so in a way that amazed and astonished us and we are so grateful.

We also started 2011 as new members of a church and have spent the past year emerging ourselves into it.  We went from mere members to teaching a Sunday School class and have found constant respect for the teaching and leadership of the church.  We are so thankful for the children's program that loves our little ones and encourages us time and time again.

Then of course, it was in 2011 that God blessed us with another family member.  Little c3 was a complete surprise and yet, she is quite possibly the best surprise we've ever been given.  To be parents again.... to love again.... to be entrusted with the next generation.... to give Finley a sister.... to give Jude the chance to be a big brother.... to open our hearts more than we ever thought possible... Yes, what an amazing blessing we've been given!!!!!  I will never think of 2011 without thinking about seeing that pregnancy test turn positive and the tears of joy that it brought!

But just as importantly, 2011 was the year that friendships were grown and created.  I have fallen in love with my moms' group and find myself depending on these relationships that were but a dream a year before.  They are a constant source of support and inspiration.  And I love that I do not have to talk to them every day in order to know that they are always there when I need them.  And then there are our couple friends, Paul and Lauren, who we have so much fun with and who were brave enough to go on vacation with us!  And then there's Whitney and Mary and so many other friends who just go out of their way to be there even without me asking them to be!

Of course, 2011 was also a bonding year for me and Beth.  We had such a great Girls' Trip this year and then in July, we started meeting for dinner every other week.  I treasure these dinners and am so thankful that our husbands give us time away to rejuvenate ourselves.  I swear my dinners with Beth reenergize me more than sleep and caffeine every could!  It's just so nice to sit down with the person who knows me so well.... the one that keeps me accountable and speaks truth in love.  Now that we aren't necessarily a part of each other's day-to-day life, we can come together and talk non-stop for 3 hours straight and then meet back again two weeks later and do it again.  It's so amazing and I am thankful that God has allowed us to continue prioritizing our friendship despite the crazy lifestyles that we lead!

And speaking of relationships, Devin and I celebrate our 5 year anniversary in 2011!  I always thought the first five years would be the hardest so I feel nothing but gratitude at how easy it has been.  Oh, sure, we've had our ups and downs, but he and I are so happy together and in a world where marriages die every minute, I certainly never want to take ours for granted.  2011 was the year that we survived lots of changes while anticipating even more and thankfully, we continue to be on the same page time and time again.  I love him so much and pray that 2012 will afford us more date nights, more happy memories, and more LOVE!

So there you go.... I'm sad to see 2011 end, but am excited about 2012.  A drastic change from a year ago.  I'm so glad that God redeems the broken.  That He makes everything beautiful in its own time.  That we can always trust Him knowing that He never lets us down.

Love,
MLC

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Dear 2012,
Last year, I wanted to Do More by Doing Less.  That didn't go so well.  Maybe that's why God gave me C3 so close to LbC!  HA!  Regardless, my goal is to "Be Present" this year.  I want to take it all in.  All that you have in store for me.  I don't want to miss it because I'm on the computer or on the phone.  I admit this may be difficult for me, but I am determined to make some changes and a month in, I'm doing better.  I still have a long road to go as I have found myself more addicted to technology than I ever dreamed possible, but I am putting my phone down more and more.  Taking in what I can and learning that every moment doesn't have to be a kairos one, but making sure that every day still has at least one for me to hold on to.   (Such a lifechanging article for me!!!)

Really that is my only goal, but other little things that I hope to accomplish this year are:

• one fun trip each month with the kiddos... sad that I have to make this a goal, but we are so busy that I love our pajama days a bit too much and find on our free days that I want to do absolutely nothing.  I want us to have at least one fun activity a month despite ruining naptimes! =)
• more pictures of the day-to-day type things... I want to be a better photographer, but in the meantime, I have been using my phone to capture those little moments that I would often not capture because it meant worrying too much about camera settings!
• give into the fun side of parenting/ having kids more... the other day I found Mickey Mouse Valentine's Day cookies that I knew Finley would LOVE so I bought them.... then I took Jude to Wal-Mart with me and he was fascinated by all the balloons so I bought him and Finley one.... Again such silly things, but normally I would pass on them because we don't NEED the sugar or we don't NEED anything else taking up space in our house (or I'm afraid that they will expect a balloon EVERY time we go to Wal-Mart).... I am far too guilty of worrying about the essentials of parenthood that I think I have been missing the "they're only young once" point... there's a balance and I'm hoping to find it!
• to buy quality over quanitity--- Let's face it... my wardrobe has suffered... I've been pregnant or nursing for the past two years and by the end of 2012, it'll be even longer.  I tend to buy frugally and in a month, my cheap cardigan looks like a cheap cardigan.  I want to stretch my money, but I also need to venture out of Target and Forever 21 (though I love them so!) a little more often and buy my staples at nicer places! =)  Oh, and I want to RETURN LESS!  Oh, dear... can I do it???? What will it be like to not have something to return on every shopping trip I take?????
• have more grace for others.  Love others.... truly love them and not make everything about me.
• be a SERVANT even when it is uncomfortable.  I read Kisses from Katie in November and one thing that struck me from it was that she said something about how the need is so great where she is that she sometimes feels overwhelmed and doesn't know where to begin, but she simply serves who she can... whoever God puts in front of her on that day and I'm hoping to do the same.  I love that she doesn't think we all need to move to a foreign land to be God's servant... we just need to offer ourselves to our Living God and allow Him to minister to others through us.  I find myself too embarrassed to offer my help to others... especially others that I don't know, but God is moving me out of my comfort zone and I am going to make it a practice of helping others especially when it feels awkward to me.

So we'll see what 2012 holds for me.  I know I need to reprioritize since I didn't do that last year and I know that I need to be present more.  I want to be a better wife, a better mom, a better friend, a better servant, etc.  Each year my goal is just to be more holy.  Each year I pray that I will grow closer to my Savior than I did the year before.  So here we go... another year!  I can't wait to see what is in store!

Love,

MLC