Botbyl Style Aisle: Hands of time, purpose, productivity, letting go, fairies dancing after dark, and a swing

Taking full advantage of a small but promising blogging window of opportunity before Clara wakes up and curiously exclaims "I need to check what mommy's doin in the offiss" Our lives have been insanely busy lately - I'm sure everyone is experiencing the same exact feeling! I've made blogging a priority lately and I'm sticking to my priorities, so I'm going to do a couple quick updates and thoughts! I know all of you are in the same boat! Prioritizing is sometimes a battle in itself isn't it?

Time flies by incredibly fast doesn't it? I can hardly believe my sister's wedding is this August, after her 2 year engagement, (although she and Dan have been together for an eternity, hehe) and that her bridal shower was several weeks ago! What a fabulous day! It was wonderful spending some quality time with "Aunt Ashley" while she visited for the weekend!

Can hardly believe that Carson is turning 2 this summer! I can't even picture him as a new born anymore and when I look at him, I see a strong little boy, curious, innocent, honest, not yet tainted by doubt, worry, disappointment (except for when Clara watches a "wideo" on the phone and he states "Mah turn, mah turn!"

It's sad...bittersweet, but awesome at the same time. He's not a baby anymore, and I'm super excited about what lies ahead and the wonderful discoveries he has to experience.

I can't believe we're moving into a 90 year old home with a million projects, and in 5 days we will own two homes! If someone would have told me that 6 months ago, never would've believed a word of it! I look forward with enthusiasm as June fast approaches, and our lives take an unexpected, but much anticipated detour, but tell me, where has the time gone?

I'm finishing the 1st year of my new job, which has made a difference in my life, emotions, and overall well-being. Of course everything comes with challenges and learning curves, and long nights of SGO tweaking, lesson plans, and newness of 1st-year-teacher-all-over-again-emotions, musical rehearsals, but I've settled in, and things are going well. No job is ever perfect, and you'll always face struggles, obstacles, and that feeling of "is what I'm doing making a difference for anyone?" Switching jobs has been a difficult but well-worth-it decision and process, and I feel that I've been more purposeful, creative, and musical in the last 10 months than I've been in a long time. This summer, I plan to refresh, tweak, and plan plan plan for next year now that I know what to expect and what the pace is like, and am planning on tackling some super challenging and gorgeous music next year in choir, which I'm excited about!

With all that said, it's difficult to be truly present in the midst of life's constant demands and deadlines, and I try to freeze moments in time because I know every minute spent with my little angels is precious, and I yearn to live more intentionally and purposefully always. Isn't it hard to not stress and to learn to let go...to put the phone down...to leave laundry in the dryer, to say it's ok if this doesn't get done today.

Sometimes, being unproductive might just be more productive. There's something to be said for spontaneity...putting your to-do list aside...just being present...like a child, imagination full blast, lost in the moment, in a world that doesn't need to make sense...where Puff the magic dragon lives in the manhole down the street, magical fairies name Roseflower dance after dark

Days last long, hugs are real, mommy and daddy are super heroes, home and family is a safe haven, like a warm blanket that calms your fears, and covers you...