finding joy again

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted to my blog. The days run by and I never get to blogging. Just tonight as I was writing my birthday letters to Alybug and Em (I keep journals where I write a letter each birthday and I imagine I'll give these to the girls when they're 18 or so), I realized how little I've been looking at my girls this summer- really looking at them, at what's driving them, what's bringing them deep joy, what's causing them to laugh, what's causing them to stumble. When we first moved, I intentionally took breaks from packing and settling to play, to craft, to have fun. Somewhere along the way, I lost that attitude, and I've slipped into working too much. I feel like I'm always sweeping, tidying, picking up, cooking, washing dishes, folding laundry, and even things that are fun have become chores: entertaining the baby, playing games, reading books, planning meals, tending the garden. Tomorrow, I will find the joy again. Perhaps the house will be dirty, perhaps we'll have popcorn for dinner, perhaps the weeds will grow tall in the gardens, but I will be present with my girls. It will be a good day.