{a beautiful alicia bock photograph ~ a daily reminder to GO.}
For various reasons (that I've shared before... homework being one of the primary culprits~ Ryan and Jacob's homework) we've sort of become homebodies. And I am blatently reminded of this fact each and every time I log into my instagram account. This is not a bad thing, I might add. ~This blatent reminder. It doesn't throw me into a jealous state... or a my-life-is-MISERABLE mindset. Because, really- it is not. I love our home. I love what we have {intentionally} created it to be. I love the memories we create in the walls within. The laughs we share. The wine we sip. The seeds we plant. The games we play. The meals we savor. The shows we watch. It really is home-sweet-home.
But it has definitely sparked a longing~ a longing that was already there~ as we've always had the urge explore- to see- to do- to try- to GO. As much as we enjoy the comfort of four walls and a couple of super comfy sofas (we picked well :)), there is nothing that compares to fresh air and an open road.
That spark is pretty much on fire at this point. Not only within me... but in each of us. On day one of spring break, upon finishing a little "coaching session" with Jacob- encouraging him to use his money for doing and not only acquiring... he proceed to inform me that there are many places he'd like to go... things he would like to do. He had no trouble listing them all out. Hailey (the child that wakes up each and every non-school day and asks, "Where are we going to go today??") was more-than-eager to join the conversation. And best of all? Their lists weren't filled with amusement parks (although they were definitely included) and presently-insurmountable excursions. But instead, nearby museums, parks, movies... "places [we've never visited] in L.A!"... "the beach!"... All doable. Or at least, plan-worthy.
Simply put: We really do need to get out more.
So off we went. A little something (or somewhere I should say), each and every day. Happy kids. Happy mama. Happy dad (to come home to the aforementioned 'happy'). Happiness abound.
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i love staying at home, it's so easy to stay in my comfort bubble. but what i have learned on this spring break is how much the kids love to explore and observe the outside world. it's not that we don't get out but sometimes it's feels more forced at first until we do it and have great experiences and make amazing memories.
ReplyDeletei love this post and am right there with you!
Ruthie
first of all~ thank you for visiting, and for your comment what you said is exactly right. you completely GET IT. and the “forced [at first]” part? yes! it actually feels forced… uncomfortable venturing out- we have gotten so used to staying home. but the difference in their (mine too) demeanor, outlook, mood… was absolutely incredible. it felt as if we were traveling (without actually doing so :)).
DeleteIf I don't "GO" regularly, I start to get crazy. (That sounds kind of gross - but you know what I mean. :)) I think venturing out into your own surroundings is the perfect place to start until you can get on the road.
ReplyDeletei do know exactly what you mean. and believe it or not~ i really appreciate you saying it (so directly :)). i think i’m starting to realize why i have felt the exact same way (crazy)… *incrementally, for the past several months. part of it was just being tired of wanting to do so many things, but failing to DO them. i’ve been working on that as of late, which feels good. but the part that i had yet to tackle was the GO part.
Deletei’ve been wanting to go far… get on the road, and because we are not at a point of being able to do so, i sort of gave up… forgetting that i can start right here. right now. ‘in my own surroundings’! our recent ventures have already begun to alleviate the ‘crazy’. pheeeeew.
xoxo
i hear ya on this. i think it's finding the balance between simplicity (which is great! as you know) and action. it's hard to not fill your plate up too full, hard to keep it perfectly simple too. balance, certainly, and it seems you all are finding it! :) i love that picture, btw.
ReplyDeleteso true. we used to “live” on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Delete…& ended up landing a bit too far on the other side. now venturing (literally :)) back~ a little.
i love the picture too! so simple, and a little dreamy. xo
My kiddos are so much happier when they're on the go! I need to get us out more even if it is a bit harder on mama! :)
ReplyDeleteyes… oh my gosh... the mood that tends to permeate when they are “cooped up” for too long.
Deletenot good.
this alone makes the extra work so worth it. right?
hey if momma is happy the home is happy right? I am so not there to be able to get out and do more but I so want to. With the boys so little there is only so much we can go and do with them but I have plans sista- big plans when that time comes:)
ReplyDeleteriiiiiiiight.
Delete{and i bet you’ve got plans. i can’t wait for them to come into fruition :).}
i so get all of this...we are constantly on the go, and i do love it. but i've made a point {recently} to stay home at least one day out of the week so that i can catch up on the domestic duties, ha!
ReplyDeletei can't wait to see what lovely adventures your beautiful family embarks upon this summer...selfishly, i hope a journey leads you north!
i like that approach so much better!! instead of *every day* designated for those domestic duties… having only a {small} portion crossed off the list upon the day’s end.
Deletesometimes the answer is right there in front of you ~ and has been for quite some time ;).
happiness {& adventure} awaits. (…tomorrow~ as today, really is my ‘domestic duty day’)