I have been thinking a lot about my family lately. The little part of it that just started with my parents and my brother and me and has grown over the past decade or so to include our spouses, kiddos and extended loved ones who are somehow related and a few who really aren’t but we feel they are. Even with all of those additions, we are still a pretty small bunch. And thankfully we are really close and enjoy each others’ company. Not to say that we can’t drive each other crazy at times too, but there is always humor and never drama. I couldn’t be more grateful for that last sentence. It’s been that way my whole life.
I was lucky enough to spend 2 weeks over the holidays with my family vacationing. It was my favorite gift of the season by far to be in the presence of these amazing people and to have a blank to-do list. My husband likes to joke that I cannot sit still, and he is pretty spot-on there. But while on this holiday ‘break’ with my family, that is essentially what I did. Although, I should clarify, there are little kids involved so there was really no actually sitting still, yet more my mind was still and content. Present. I feel this in my everyday life as well, but I often start to make lists or think of what needs doing.
But here I am a month later and still feeling the happy effects of our holiday. I hope to carry it far into 2014 and beyond. To focus and work when it’s time and to completely play when it’s not. Falling asleep with the kiddos at 7:30 pm accidentally, but deciding to stay put. Choosing to pick up a basketball and practice my own dribbling skills when my kids are, instead of picking up a broom and sweeping the porch while they dribble. Listening fully. Being silly (have to admit that one comes way too easy for me). Soaking up conversation heard from both the youngest and the oldest and begging my brain to remember as much as it possibly can.
Photography by Rebecca Sanabria who we were so happy to have join us for a whole day during our family holiday time.
HELLOOOOO. I’M JILL.
