In 2013, my #OneWord was play. It was a fun year full of playful moments. For the past week or so I’ve been seeking a new word for 2014. And, suddenly it hit me. My new word is new. Why new? 2014 is going to be a year of newness. From new habits and lifestyles, to new…
Life isn’t a performance.
Can I be completely candid for a sec? Lately, I’ve found myself annoyed with seemingly perfect lives. I love social media, and I hate it. Some people’s lives just look too pretty and polished. Fake. Impersonal. (Sometimes, I wonder if my own doesn’t come off this way.) On Facebook, we only publish what we want…
(Almost) 23 months.
Willow Annistyn, when we picked your name, we thought Willow sounded sweet and Annistyn sounded sassy. While you’re certainly both, I’m happy we stuck with family tradition and kept on using your middle name. Sassy fits you, Miss Anni. These days you’re all about singing, dancing, coloring, reading and trying new things. And, you do…
Sunday night gifts.
Sunday nights are bittersweet. Sometimes I love them, when I feel caught up, squeaky clean and prepped for the week. Scrubbed house, stocked fridge, steamed wardrobe, bathed babe, refreshed mind. There’s beauty in brand new weeks. Other times, I’m too easily sucked into the Sunday doldrums. This usually happens when I scrambling to get it…
Happy morning traditions.
Lately, it occurred to me: our little family loves breakfast. I’ve never, ever, ever considered myself a morning person. Before we had Annistyn, I could sleep in most of the morning, and, when given the opportunity, I would. Nowadays sleeping in is making it to 7:30 or 8 a.m. without a wake-up cry. And, I’ve…
Savoring summer.
Our little lady is toddling all over the house these days. She runs the show around here. (Which is partly why I’m a terrible blogger lately, sorry.) Summer 2013 took its sweet time in North Dakota, but we’re enjoying every moment of available sunshine. I keep thinking that this is Annistyn’s first summer, because she…
My favorite things.
I had grand plans for my four-day weekend. You know, they don’t come around all that often. My original list included tasks like “clean the oven” and “organize the filing cabinet.” Fun spring break? I trashed the list and made a new one: my favorite things. We need room to play. Room to simply be,…
The simple life.
I must be taking this play thing a little too literally. Sorry, friends, I’ve been absent. Life so often feels like a race. Mornings come too quickly. Before we have a moment to play, we’re out the door, shipping off to daycare and desks. Between planned to-do’s, spontaneous must-do-now’s and pop-out-of-nowhere deadlines, tasks munch away…
OneWord365: Play.
Last night, as we celebrated New Year’s Eve on the couch eating leftover birthday cupcakes and watching old “Parenthood” episodes, I casually asked my husband for resolution ideas. There’s always the obvious like exercise more and eat better. (Why do you think we were “getting rid of” the cupcakes before the new year?!) Get organized….
Christmas dress photo shoot.
Yesterday I wanted to play dress up make sure that Annistyn’s Christmas outfit fit. A modeling session just seemed like the right thing to do. “Mom, you do realize that it’s not Christmas yet, right?” “Excuse me. I need to call daddy. Maybe he’ll save me from this photo shoot.” “Seriously, mom. I was just…
Angie Laxdal, Writer 