Reunited, And It Feels So Good
Date: Friday August 15, 2008Posted in: Emily, Family, Graham, Honey, Nathan, Parenting, domestic bliss, me
I know that I have whined and complained about work these past few weeks. Poor me, I have a job. LIFE IS SO ROUGH.
Work is done (for now), so I can get back to complaining about being a Mom. Poor me, I have THREE KIDS. I should really get over myself. At least I am not dealing with sixteen of the hellions creatures. Or not having any of them at all.
I was at the beach yesterday morning with the kids and our friends. We swam in the lake, ate Goldfish crackers and fought over toys (Um, they did. I had parked myself on a beach blanket. TOO TIRED to fight over the toys).
We came home and made lunch together. After lunch we put Miss Emily to bed for a nap and the boys built Transformers out of Lego. Matthew and sat down to assess (not asses) our situation. His work is slow, yes, and he was dealt a major blow while I was away all morning.
He started to wonder if he was in the wrong industry, or if he should go back to school. He could also work out of the house like a regular person. Leave home at 7:30 am, be home by 5:30 pm. I could do the same. Thanks to my initials I would have a full-time job in an office instantly, should I so choose.
We don’t want that for our family.
We bought our house seven years ago before the market went nuts and made some wise decisions after the fact. We barely have a mortgage. We are Dutch, which means we are cheap frugal. We do not need to be raking in the dough.
The plan is to keep on as we have been. For Honey to work as hard as he has been. For me to take on work when we need me to. For the both of us to be as involved in the daily minutiae of our kids’ lives as we can be.
We spent the afternoon at the lake as a family. All five of us.
This is a definite perk to being self-employed.
After supper Matthew had to attend a meeting. I had no qualms as I have been the absentee parent for the bulk of the last month.
I pushed the kids on the swings, played hide-and-go-seek, pitched baseballs. Events that I had missed out on for many a night in the past four weeks.
The sun started to set and I asked the kids if I could possibly take a few photos in the magical light. They obliged.
Graham:
Nathan:
Miss Emily:
Then I thought I would get all artsy:
Ish.
It felt good to reconnect with my husband. To reconnect with my kids. To reconnect with my camera.
I plan on doing more of the same this weekend.
And you?
30 Comments
i absolutely LOVE the last artsy picture! love it.
and i understand where you’re coming from regarding being involved in your family’s daily life. things would be sooooo much better for us financially if i went back to work. BUT…putting Hudson in daycare from 7:30am to 6:00pm so I can work my 9-5pm job, then rushing home, gobbling down dinner and putting Hudson so sleep, seems so…WRONG.
joyce’s last blog post..When the letter “A” is not a letter “a”…
Comment by joyce on August 15th, 2008 @ 4:54 amSounds like you’re making the right choices for your family. I wouldn’t want both Rob and I to be working outside of the home, 9-5, everyday. We are blessed that I can work from home, VERY flexible hours, and Rob can work 4 days/week and again, flexible hours. The kids are only young for so long … once they are bigger, things might change. But I agree with your philosophy - it’s nice to be around more when they are little.
Hannah’s last blog post..Snow = no go 
Aw!!! My dream is to be self employed so that I don’t have to miss out on 10 hours of my kids every day. I HATE it. I think you guys have an amazing set up.
This weekend? We’re going to Saskatoon to see my in-laws. My sister-in-law is moving to Victoria for school, so we want to spend time with her before she leaves. And? My mother-in-law is the BEST cook I have ever met, so I’m looking forward to some great food!!!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..Makes my heart melt
Comment by Mrs. Wilson on August 15th, 2008 @ 5:30 amYou forgot to say “We have a beach to go to, POOR ME”
Heh.
I’m going to a blogging conference filled with boys this weekend.
WISH ME LUCK.
moosh in indy.’s last blog post..Hot: Day 15-How to eat fried Pepsi.
Comment by moosh in indy. on August 15th, 2008 @ 6:19 amWhen you say you’re cheap/frugal, it makes my heart sing. Frugality is my favorite personality trait 
Janssen’s last blog post..Because Someday I’ll Have Kids
Hopefully, recovering from this horrible flu, actually…I’m on my death bed…in the Bahamas, of all places. Sigh.
I love the pictures of the toes!
Camels & Chocolate’s last blog post..Under the Sea
Comment by Camels & Chocolate on August 15th, 2008 @ 7:01 amI will see my husband twice this weekend (if I’m lucky). At his work picnic and at church. I completely understand how you feel - never seeing your family!
And good for you on the cheap/frugal living. We downsized our house and life style a year ago and are loving it! It is freeing to “owe nobody nothin’!”
Kate’s last blog post..I Got a B!
very artsy. Glad you are doing well. Tomorrow will be about being with my girls, but Sunday after church I have a 10 hour wedding commitment.
Heather’s last blog post..In honor of Jennifer’s last “official” Haiku Friday
Comment by Heather on August 15th, 2008 @ 7:34 amThis weekend: Time with family, friends and the Olympics. I also think pizza.
She Likes Purple’s last blog post..Because Other Topics Are SO MUCH HARDER To Focus On
Comment by She Likes Purple on August 15th, 2008 @ 7:37 amThe photo with the umbrella and the kids on the shore… perfection. Brilliant colors!
I’ll be running a race this weekend, but I hope to have some time with my hubby too before we both have to leave town for work next week.
Jill - GlossyVeneer’s last blog post..Six Random Things Meme
Comment by Jill - GlossyVeneer on August 15th, 2008 @ 7:40 amWow, great last pic. THat is definitely frame-worthy. But then so are all your pics
Love the last shots of each of them. I just bought myself a new Nikon D300. I was going to get up to take photos at sunrise (pioneerwomans latest assignment). It didn’t happen. BUT, I will be snapping photos all weekend at a family wedding. Lots of family and lots of fun.
Have a good one.
mommyknows’s last blog post..My Girl
Comment by mommyknows on August 15th, 2008 @ 7:47 amThat last photo is awesome!
sizzle’s last blog post..WTF Friday: But Who Will Blow Out the Candle?
Comment by sizzle on August 15th, 2008 @ 7:52 amI love their piggy toes! (Their toes aren’t fat, I call all kids’ toes piggy toes!)
Meg’s last blog post..Aurelius
Comment by Meg on August 15th, 2008 @ 8:31 amWe’re celbrating our fifth wedding anniversary on Sat ( Justin doesn’t konw what’s up), then I’m speaking at church on Sun - ack!!
Happy reunion, girl. Peace to you and the clan.
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Sharing
Comment by Elizabeth on August 15th, 2008 @ 8:42 amthis weekend I will be learning how to edit photos using fancy software
hopefully
hills’s last blog post..I Am Not Your Expectations No No I Am Not My Hair
Comment by hills on August 15th, 2008 @ 8:48 amSuper pics of the kids, and their toes.
My parents are coming for a visit this weekend so we’ll be having lots of fun.
Comment by Kristin on August 15th, 2008 @ 10:38 amEmily’s curls are JUST killing me. Especially because yesterday I had to clip Eli’s “wings” on the sides and I am still a little misty eyed over it.
Those are some beautiful pictures. (and kids!)
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Stung
Comment by Elizabeth on August 15th, 2008 @ 10:58 amSounds like a great decision for your family! If Jay could work at home too we would so be there… it’s so wonderful to be around when the kids are little, it goes by way too quickly.
We are off to the lake again, crossing fingers for better weather than last time but either way it’ll be fun times with family
have a great weekend!
Kami’s last blog post..Good bye
Comment by Kami on August 15th, 2008 @ 11:31 amI liked being self-employed except for one thing. INSURANCE. Which I know is not nearly the hell in your neck of the woods that it is here.
Blah.
P.S. I want that beach umbrella. Just so you know.
Loralee’s last blog post..Sideblog: I am beginning to think this house is cursed.
Comment by Loralee on August 15th, 2008 @ 12:27 pmAnd yes…we Canadians have good health care…maybe you should move here, since you want to make babies with Canada and all 
Those feet are so cute!
And that beach looks just divine! Glad you had some family time, all together…
Elaine’s last blog post..Through the Lens - Assignment 3
Comment by Elaine on August 15th, 2008 @ 12:48 pmI’m going to sleeeeeep in! WOO HOOO!
Victoria’s last blog post..That’s Good Enough For Me!
Comment by Victoria on August 15th, 2008 @ 1:06 pmWow, that beach is beyond gorgeous! And, the children, as always, beyond gorgeous too! I’m glad you were able to soak it in after working intensively. (And it’s okay to complain you know, it’s a normal coping mechanism, whether our problems are big or small!)
Kaza’s last blog post..Kickin’ Ass and Namin’ Names
Comment by Kaza on August 15th, 2008 @ 6:18 pmFree facial at Neiman Marcus!
slynnro’s last blog post..How Bizarre, How Bizarre.
Comment by slynnro on August 15th, 2008 @ 8:09 pmYour kids are such great models!!! Glad you were reunited with all the great things in your life!
Comment by Michele on August 15th, 2008 @ 11:42 pmglad you’re back. love the toes!
little miss mel’s last blog post..my little hola is not so little anymore
Comment by little miss mel on August 16th, 2008 @ 11:32 amYou are so talented babe. Seriously. I love all of these shots. And that you are feeling so reconnected to All That Is Awesome in your world.
Kerri Anne’s last blog post..And The People Who Left Me Keep Asking When I’m Coming Back To Town, Part One Of Three
Comment by Kerri Anne on August 16th, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
We’ll be hanging out with friends. Going to IKEA. Mailing some birthday presents. Maybe making some cookies.
I’m happy to hear you all are in a good place despite job woes.
bethany actually’s last blog post..I love this plate
Comment by bethany actually on August 15th, 2008 @ 1:01 am