So Much Stuff.

What do you do when your house looks like a tornado went through it?

Clean.

What if once you clean you realize that you just have too much stuff. Well what then?

Well that's where I am today everyone and that means its time to purge!

While I did purge a ton of stuff of mine, the person with a problem I'm our house is Lexi. How does such a small person have so much stuff?

Well I know exactly how. This child wants for nothing. While I love that everyone loves her so much that they buy her an endless supply of toys, people it is time to get rid of some of it.

So here we go. Welcome 2013. Sorry Lexi getting rid of some of your things.

Goodbye 2012

While the last week has been a swirl of craziness, filled with parties, traveling, and lots of family and food I finally got a chance to sit down today and think.

2012 is almost over and I'm not going to lie, this year has not been an easy one. There has been a ton of challenges I have had to overcome not only as a mother, fiancé, daughter, and sister, but as myself. Jessica.

I never imagined that at the age of 25 I would have a daughter. She is the most wonderful surprise that has ever happened and I wouldn't trade her for anything, but being a young mom, in a new house, who is just trying to keep her head out of water is hard.

I am so lucky I have Dan though. Without him I don't know where we would be. When ever things have gotten really rough he is always the first one to tell me I can and will be able to handle it. This is one of the many reasons I can't wait to marry him this summer.

So here was the major challenge this year. Who am I? I know what my rolls are, but who am I? I found myself having a very hard time with this once I went back to work. Being in an office job just wasn't for me. I tried, but I did not succeed. Luckily on a whim I applied for a position at a dance studio and boy was that the right choice. When people tell you to follow your passion they are not lying.

I am a mom. A fiancé. A daughter. A sister, but I am also a dance teacher.

I love my job! I get to pass on my passion for dance while also watching these wonderful children grow. The smiles on their faces when they have conquered a difficult move is priceless. Seeing that child who was painfully shy in September blossom into the little dancer who is going to steal the show is amazing. I couldn't ask for anything better.

So thank you 2012. You were a difficult year at times, but you taught me so much, and I thank you for that.

Trying To Keep Up

I know as parents we feel like we must make sure our kids are well dressed, smarter then smart, our house is spotless, and a healthy delicious dinner is on the table. The problem is that way of thought is just completely unrealistic if you have two working parents. I know we can't afford to have someone to come in and cook and clean (although I wish we could), so why are we being so hard on ourselfs to keep it all up. 

This is something I have been struggling with latley. Since going back to work in September we have a very wonky schedule going on in our house. I work part time, only 4 days a week. Hubby works full time. The problem is our schedules over lap. Dan works 11-7, and I 4-10. So we have a babysitter come and grandparents to fill in the gaps. Between making sure the house is tidy, (haha no its never clean. Tidy is the best I can do), doing dishes and laundry, making meals, planning my classes, swimming lessons and dance lessons for Lexi I just can't get everything done. 

Some things have to be flexible. 

So our house isn't always perfectly clean. Our laundry is never all done, folded, and put away. There are dishes in the sink, and there is nothing I can do about it. I can't do it all. I am not super woman (although I try), and all I can do is my best. My daughter and hubby are happy, the grandparents are loving the extra time they get with Lexi, and I am not only doing what I love, but being able to contribute to the family. 

So from now on when I am stressing about how much I have to do, I am going to try to tell myself it is okay to let some things go. There is no point in worrying about little things, that we cannot change. 

As long as everyone is healthy and happy, that is all I can ask for.