Photography Fail

I'm not really a big resolution maker. I feel like it just sets me up for failure. However, I did make a commitment this year to write more and take at least one picture every day.

The writing- I've kept up with! Either here, or journaling or just a simple brain dump at night, words have made it to paper (or screen!)

The photography- fail.
Not one single photo.
Not. One.
So, I'm declaring a do over! Today is a new day, so I'm starting fresh!
(And I even plan to bust out the Big Camera, so watch out!)

Did you make resolutions this year?
Have you kept them, or do you need a do over, too?

Happy New Year

Happy 2013!

I cannot believe it is already a new year! So much has happened over the past 12 months, I don't even know where to start. And I definitely didn't keep up my plan about blogging last year. :-)

Honestly, I have no idea if I will do any better this year. And that is not even one of my goals. I do have several, though. I want to capture more of life in pictures. I want to write more- whether here on this blog or just journaling for me. I want to get back into shape. I want to ENJOY life more!
But mostly, I want to find myself. I want to find my passions- in writing, in photography, in life! I have spent so much time doing the things I'm supposed to, I don't even know what I really like anymore. And I refuse to settle like that! So 2013 is going to be my year to rediscover me!

Wish me luck!

In a funk

I've been in a real funk lately.
Nothing major, just tired, cranky, and not the most fun to be around.

I think I've figured out part of my problem. I missed winter!

For years, I've loved winter. I just didn't realize how much needed it! I tend to hibernate a little in winter. Two of the last five winters I was pregnant. So I basically did nothing but veg out and read. (And throw up, but that's not really a necessary part of the hibernation!) Then for two years (obviously not consecutively) I had a newborn to take care of. That also implies some hibernation. So when spring came, I felt better (in the pregnant years) or the babies were old enough to really go outside and play,  so I really experienced that spring rebirth!

I missed my hibernation this year!

We moved in early November, then there was the craziness of the Holidays, then the Hubs left for Captain's Career Course for 10 weeks. No vegging out allowed when you're the only parent around. And now, spring is here! EARLY!! What's up with that? I usually love spring, but seriously. I need winter.

So I have a disconnect. My brain is telling me that spring is here! Time to get busy, and start cleaning and planting and organizing and planning for trips to the beach and birthday parties. But my body is saying no way! I'm tied. I didn't get my hibernation... there's no way it's already spring! It's time to curl up with a cup of hot tea and read, or crochet or something! And because of that disconnect in as cranky as a toddler who missed her nap! It's not good.

And I have no idea how to reconnect to spring. And get out of this funk.

I'm Baaaa-aaack!

So, once again, it's been a while since I've posted to the blog.
In my defense, a LOT has happened since October.

To begin with, WE MOVED!!!! Finally! We decided to go ahead and move, even though we didn't (and still don't) have renters for our house in Mobile. There were several reasons for this: less travel for the holidays, and being able to show the house without trying to keep it clean with 2 kids and 2 dogs. But mostly it was because Jason had a 9 week school that he had to go to in San Antonio, and we decided that it would be better if the kids and I were closer to my family. So here we are!

We moved the first of November, and actually got unpacked before Thanksgiving! Then the craziness of the holidays began. Travel to the sis-in-laws for Thanksgiving, travel to south Mississippi for Christmas, and the general craziness of the shopping, buying, wrapping, baking, cooking, decorating, cleaning... I'm tired just thinking about it! :) But we made it!
And now the Hubs is off at Captain's Career Course, and I'm left thinking about what resolutions I'm going to make, and how I want this year to go, and changes that I want to make.

1. I'm going to find my passion. I LOVE to sew and create things, but the past few years, I've only done what I have to, and I tend to not leave enough time, so I'm rushed and stressed, and that's no fun. So I'm setting aside one afternoon a week to work on my crafts. Either pull out the machines and sew, or leisurely crochet or knit, whatever I feel like that day! It's completely up to me! :) I also plan to chronicle my really good projects (or at least the ones I'm really excited about) on this here blog! Which brings me to number 2.

2. I'm bringing this blog back to life! I originally started this blog as a way to document our families life for the family and friends we left behind when we moved. And to be perfectly honest, I stunk at that! I had no plan, and no direction. Therefore, no blog! (At least, none to speak of, or follow for that matter!) And this is one thing that I'm really interested in continuing! I love writing, even though I'm not that great at it, and I really want to get better! (Plus, I've been stalking so many blogs for so long, I figured it was time for me to put myself out there a little bit, too!
I've been told that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail, and I believe that was the case for this blog in the past. But never fear, I have a plan, and I am going to work the plan! I may not post everyday at first, but any thing's better than once a quarter, right? :)

3. Lastly, I'm getting my priorities straight! My family is my number one priority! The only reason this wasn't listed as my first resolution- I'm not really changing what I do! Just my attitude. I've been reminded recently that we're not guaranteed another day with the ones we love, and I believe that while my kids may remember that I volunteered in their classes, and made their clothes, I think they'll remember me more fondly if I stick to the things I'm good at, and have a better attitude about it all! Because I'm not superwoman! I can't do it all! So this year, my focus is my family, and figuring out what things I'm passionate about and weeding out all the other stuff!
Well, except for laundry and dishes. I'm definitely not passionate about either, but I haven't found a way to get around them! :)

Hope you'll join me on my adventure!

Moving... for real this time!

The Bennetts are moving! Again. For real this time!

I realize that I made this same announcement this time last year... but I'm serious this time! Well,I was actually serious last time, but we couldn't sell the house. We still can't, but this time, that's OK!

We have decided to rent our house in Mobile, and we will be renting a house in Oxford. It's the best decision as long as the housing market is like it is. The best part is, we won't actually be paying rent! The house in Oxford needs a lot of work, mostly aesthetic, and we're going to be doing the work in leu of rent. Pretty cool, huh?

It's going to mean downsizing, and a lot of work, but it is the same stuff we've been doing to the house in Mobile, just without that pesky mortgage note!

I'm really excited to be going back home. Except...

I'm a little sad. This is the only house my kids have ever known! This is where we brought them home from the hospital. They both took heir first steps here. We worked ridiculously hard to make this house a home for our family, and now we're leaving it behind! That's difficult for me to wrap my brain around.

But I'm still going home.

And we'll make that house a home too... until we're ready to build our dream house! And then, we'll do it all again! :-)

Wordless Wednesday

Heavy heart

I have a confession to make. I'm extremely blessed! This had really been brought to my attention over the last few weeks.

I just spent a wonderful weekend celebrating my babies birthdays. (Harley-1 and James-3) It was great! And I had a blast! Then I got hit with reality.

A dear friend of mine lost her grandmother last week, after a long illness; then yesterday her mother was rushed to the hospital. She had had a heart attack, and had bypass surgery last night.

Then, this morning, I get online to visit a few blogs that I read stalk, and find that one of the bloggers just found out that she has breast cancer! She's 35, y'all. And had a clear mammogram. And no family history. Wow.

I'm not even sure how to process this. These people shouldn't new this sick! I'm hurting for them. And I'm praying for them. Because we serve a big God, who's still in control. Even when life makes no sense. And even when life hurts.