According to the little report WordPress sends me, my most popular day on the blog in 2013 was the day I posted Confessions of a WAHM. Revisiting this post couldn’t have been more appropriate for me as I thought about reflecting back on the past year and deciding whether to put up a post about 2013 or a post about our adventures with toddler crafts.
2013 was hard. Really really hard. Lots of things changed and I learned a lot. I learned how to have 2 kids. I learned how to be a stay at home mom to two kids. I’ll never stop trying to figure those two things out. I learned I need to let go of things more easily. I learned that no matter how much I want to let go of things, I’m nearly incapable of doing so. I learned how to do a whip stitch. Fast forward to December. I learned that when a tree farm asks you “drill or no drill?”, you say drill and buy the damn tree stand they are selling. No matter how straight that tree looks all tied up when you screw it into the stand, it’s going to look wicked crooked when you free it from that net. I learned how to quilt.
I know that life is about learning. We never stop learning. I get that. I try to remind myself of that constantly, but it may be the easiest thing to forget. The year ended with a day typical of this year. I thankfully had ptb here to help me through it. To bring me cupcakes and let me take 2 naps. To take one boy out of the house for a few hours and return with a pizza. One friend posted on Facebook today that it seemed to be a common theme that people were ready to put 2013 behind them. I’m not quite ready for that. I’m ready for a fresh start, but I want to remember the good times of 2013. Another friend posted this:
I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world.
You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re DOING SOMETHING.
Don’t freeze. Don’t stop. Don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or isn’t perfect.
Whatever it is: art, or love, or work, or family, or life. Whatever it is you’re scared of doing… DO IT.
Make your mistakes, next year, and forever.
I like it. I needed it. It’s true.
Some people don’t like the way people embrace the new year with resolutions. It’s an excuse for a fresh start. Why not just enjoy it? Wipe the slate clean of what needs to be wiped clean. Carefully erase around the really good stuff and fill in the blanks.
Here’s to a new year. Here’s to moving onward and upward. Watching a lot of cartoons. Singing a lot of songs. Laughing a lot of laughs. Being your own nerd. Being a better person and letting go of whatever is holding you back.
Here’s to continuing to be a happy, fun loving family no matter the struggles we face.
And last but not least, my 2013 recap. In tweets.
Starbucks new Vanilla Spice Latte. I’ve tried it twice now and I’m still undecided. Anyone else? #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) January 6, 2013
I still miss that drink.
Washing the only pair of jeans that fits…bad idea. Might be time to admit they didn’t actually fit and buy a size up. #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) January 10, 2013
Still haven’t bought new jeans. Still don’t have any that fit well.
What I am finding most difficult, nearly impossible, with 2 children… folding and putting away laundry. I just want a clean bedroom! #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) January 15, 2013
Ditto to the jeans. Trying to get the laundry put away before midnight…but I’d rather drink.
Cute! @petertbuckley “Hey, weren’t you Kerri Strug’s gymnastics coach? #USA #USA #USA @ Olympic Village 1996 http://t.co/exneKLjs”
— Kerri Strug (@kerristrug96) January 28, 2013
Kerri Strug retweeted our picture. If you don’t know who she is, you’re too young to read my blog.
For every good there is bad. Almost 12 hours straight sleep for baby… Napless day for toddler. #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) February 19, 2013
Closing doors as a way to keep the toddler confined is no longer an option. Today my life changed forever. Again. #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) February 20, 2013
My most successful moment of 2013? :
No matter what the basis of the @pandora_radio station…I can eventually get it to play @radiohead‘s Creep. #success #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) March 21, 2013
You may have won today 6 minute car nap. But watch out. One day I’m going to kick your ass. #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) April 3, 2013
For the record, I totally kick his ass this year.
I’m officially a mom. I just called @petertbuckley by our first born’s name. #deliriouslytired #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) April 12, 2013
Or lay in bed and fall asleep playing Candy Crush hoping no one wakes up before I get a few hours myself. Let’s be honest.
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) April 15, 2013
Can I get an amen??
Email, albums, sewing. #fridaynight #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) May 4, 2013
Thumb in car door more painful than giving birth. #fact #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) May 7, 2013
OMG THAT WAS THE WORST
It’s official, the most challenging thing for me as a parent is cutting baby toenails.
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) June 12, 2013
Still the worst task. EVER.
I needed a new bag. So I made one. #sewing #mrsptbmakes #chevron #polkadots #thishashtagisformyhomies http://t.co/X3dYNBhVMT
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) July 11, 2013
Still #hashtaghappy
Treat receipt, you’re my best friend. Ill miss you when you’re gone. @Starbucks
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) July 31, 2013
Currently feeling the same way about the holiday drink sticker books.
Not sewing related…but my 2.5 year old stripped himself and got the drumsticks out. I’m in serious trouble aren’t I?
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) September 12, 2013
That’s right. My 8 month old recognized Blurred Lines and stopped fussing to start tapping his foot. #parenting #doingitright #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) September 12, 2013
Preschool! 2 hours to clean, sew, and get laundry done. First, I’ll spend 30 minutes nursing a hot cup of coffee in silence. #toddlermom
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) September 19, 2013
I’m one of those people that goes to the same checkout/cashier at the grocery store at the same time every week. #thelittlethings
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) October 14, 2013
I’m having what some might call a bad day. I’ll just call it Tuesday. Or maybe just day. #fb
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) November 12, 2013
This.
Coffee. Because, coffee.
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) November 15, 2013
And this.
In case you were wondering how many lives you can get in #supermario3dworld , it’s crown crown crown.
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) December 28, 2013
A perfect way to spend staycation nights.
The last day of 2013 is proving to be just as shitty as most days this year have been. To tomorrow!
— Angelique Buckley (@mrsptb) December 31, 2013
But then I took a nap and wrote a blog post! LET’S DO THIS!
all photos by Joy Moody
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