Adventures

We have a new weekend activity...adventures! We hop in the car and search around for a forest preserve or nature area or park. It is a great way to get out, get some fresh air, see nature, and just explore. Matt and I love seeing what is in the area and Lily loves picking up rocks and dandelions. To date, we haven't done much planning. Maybe a two second Internet search on the way out the door, or maybe even just using the trusty iPhone after we have hit the road. If we were really on our game, we would pack a picnic lunch, but we enjoy finding little restaurants to try out as well. And while it has been a little overcast the past couple weekends, it has actually been perfect. I enjoy the cooler weather, there aren't a ton of bugs yet, and it is totally not crowded. Our adventures aren't huge. We typically are only gone for a couple hours, max. We get some lunch and are home for nap time. It really is amazing how many cool little areas there are within twenty minutes of our house that allow us to feel like we are escaping the 'burbs for a while. Sadly, these little adventures do get me longing for Salt Lake or Moab or Phoenix or New Mexico or Colorado, where outdoor adventures are always just a short way away. But it is nice to be able to take advantage of the wonderful Kane County Forest Preserve District. Maybe with a little more planning, we will head a little further, for a little longer. I am thinking Starved Rock maybe. Or out along the Mississippi. Of course, planning isn't really our forte. We are more of the get up-what do you want to do today-okay lets go type. But our little adventures our good for our souls! And our relationship. We have the best conversations as Lily picks up sticks or inspects leaves. I love our weekend adventures!

Big Rock Forest Preserve 4/25/10

April Pics

A Post Where I Complain A Lot - Consider Yourself Warned

This week has pretty much sucked. Lily has been sick, which always stinks. Matt and I haven't been feeling great either. My house is a disaster. I am pretty sure that disaster is it's default setting. One which it defaults to constantly. There are toys everywhere. And dog hair. And clutter. In theory I know my house is big enough for us, but in reality I have been feeling rather suffocated here. I am mad at myself for feeling discontent with what I have instead of gratitude. In all facets of my life. I have been discouraged and uninspired lately. The weather has been wonderful, so I can no longer attribute my crappy attitude to bad weather. I've totally been a slacker lately as well. Lily has been wearing a lot of disposable diapers, instead of cloth. We have been eating fast food, or out, or easy prepackaged meals instead of yummy home cooked ones I used to pride myself on. In short, I am in a funk. And I must get out. Because the way things have been going lately is making me really annoyed at myself.

Thanks for listening to me vent. I promise the next post will be happy.

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Dear Lily:

For the love of all that is holy, please TAKE.A.NAP!!!! You have been thumbing your nose at the most sacred time of day way too often lately. Mommy is close to losing her mind. Just so you know, when mommy loses her mind, it isn't pretty. You are two. Two year olds nap. I think it might even be in the Bible. I will get back to you on that. Regardless of the biblical implications, napping is part of your job description. My job description entails everything from wiping tushes to making you healthy meals to molding you into a model specimen of humanity. I realize I don't always achieve my job description everyday, but just because I shirk my responsibility now and then doesn't mean you get to follow suit. Besides, I don't get paid for my job. My payment is the few blissful hours I have a day when you nap and I can clean or fold laundry or blog or, ahem, finish the Twilight series. I know napping seems horrible, especially on such a beautiful day, but trust me one day you will long for a few hours every afternoon to conk out. Rest is good for the soul, good for the body, and good for mommy.

I love you Lily! Now please stop jumping in your crib and GO TO SLEEP! Or just stop jumping. I will settle for that!

Love,
Mommy

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