Leaves that are green....are still green

I think we may have experienced a change in season here in South Florida. It happened over a period of two weeks when I saw some brown leaves on the ground. The leaves are gone and all the trees have green again, so I'm not sure what happened or what I missed. I am highly, and I mean extremely,  straight forward in my thinking and speaking, but the brown leaf for two week thing made me wax metaphorical for five minutes (a task I usually 'leaf' to my husband, dad, sister and other poetic individuals). Those few crunchy brown leaves reminded me that everything and nothing can change all at the same time. My babies are still my babies even though they look a little different now. The person I am and the person I was when I was born is the same, though I hope I've become a little more refined and tuned. Everything in my life has changed in the course of two years, but somehow I feel more like myself than I ever have.

I KNOW you know what I'm talking about.

I've made some overdue changes to my blog. I've been writing my thoughts here for 6 years now (what?!) and we've been through many changes since that day. I started writing because I was in a bad marriage, I had two difficult and busy kids, and my life basically felt impossible. I've kept it up because I wanted a place to record and share how my life is going in a way that doesn't require me to make phone calls (which I'm terrible at) or write in a journal (which I'm worse at).

I changed the title. We are a blended family and I think we're doing a perfectly good job at being an imperfect-looking family. I field almost daily questions from both girls about our situation and my answer doesn't really change--all families have challenges. This is yours and it's ok. It's not your fault. You have so many people who love you and will take care of you. Your stories can help other people going through hard times. Wishing you had a different life will never, ever help you.

I changed the picture to show the girls when they were bitty little tykes. So cute! But really, I mostly used that picture because the four of us (me, Jacob, girls) are completely incapable of taking a decent family photo. We've tried and for some reason have failed every time. Some time when I'm feeling ambitious I will make a collage of all our really bad attempts. Those professional photos of families on the railroad tracks, wearing uber coordinated outfits and styled hair? And no one has a rash? That's not real life, is it?

Here's a glimpse of what's going on around here:

The time Jacob took the girls to Zoo Miami and they all rode a camel. 


Stunning sunsets that never get old. This right by our house and the picture, of course, does no justice. 

Watching general conference on a computer hooked up to the big screen. I started some traditions with the girls when they were little, like having coloring pages and different activities throughout conference. They expect it every time now---not that I'm complaining--but it does ensure that I make conference an intentional ritual on weekends where I might want to blow it off. They wanted to build a tent like King Benjamin. I'm glad they take conference seriously and don't 'view' it as a forced, boring trial of endurance.

This is one of the MANY ridiculous selfies I've taken over the past few months with a hideous rash on my face. I'm embarrassed to admit how much I fussed over myself and dragged the entire family into my rash drama. After a visit to the dermatologist, during which I was nearly in hysterics, I am practically rash free and feeling much more confident. Apparently it was rosacea, which my dad, grandma and grandpa have all had. Jacob was sure it was something else. I wasn't sure of anything except that I looked like a leper.
Hannah came shopping with me on Saturday. I only took this because frankly, Miami is beautiful. Even a shopping center containing Home Goods and Sally Beauty Supply is an adventure in aesthetics. 

Hannah continues to practice her contortionist skills. Maybe we will find her a contortionist class in NYC. Weirder things have happened in my life. 


Comments

Jennifer Walker said…
I have rosacea! So does anther sister of ours. I use topical meds every day. Blech!
April 19, 2015 at 8:11 PM
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