Day 11-10:51 pm: It’s amazing how quickly we can get caught up in things. We get so busy doing dishes, making dinner, doing laundry, scrolling through Facebook, that sometimes it’s easy to miss out on magical moments. Let’s take this moment to remember to stop and spend some quality time with our family.

It all started after the storm.

Remember I talked about the crazy storm we had here? If not, check out my post. So we were cleaning up after the storm, and pumping water from under our house. The outside was a mess. My hubby was outside putting up gutters on our house while I was inside trying to clean up the mess. You know the mess. It’s the dishes and toys and papers that pile up when it’s raining outside and you’re stuck in the house. Sound familiar?

So as I was cleaning the dishes I was letting my toddler play in the living room. And just as I completed that task, I went into the living room and it was a mess! One step forward. Two steps backwards.

So after I cleaned up the living room it was time to make dinner. So, I brought my toddler into the kitchen with me, gave her a big pot, and let her get water from the fridge and pour it into the pot to make “Soup”.

But, then the kitchen was a mess!

There was just a constant mess inside and outside our house.

Do you ever feel you just can’t keep up?

But, then I got to thinking. During this whole time I hadn’t really spent any quality time with my family. My hubby was outside cleaning up, and I was inside cleaning up. My toddler had been great about playing independently, but I wanted to play with her.

So after dinner, we left the dishes in the kitchen, and I sat down and played with my toddler. We did play-doh, read books, played with dolls, then watched a movie together. It was so nice for all of us to take a breath, and just enjoy each other’s company.

Even my husband came and read some books too. It was nice to have family time.

I realized how important it was to take time out of cleaning, and work, and craziness to just be with your family. Spend some quality time together. The other stuff will get done, eventually, I promise. The dishes will be fine.

Everybody will benefit from spending some quality time together. Really.

Day 10-11:35 pm: As I sit here typing, a crazy storm rages outside. Like, a literal storm. The wind is howling, the rain is beating down on the roof, and under our house has 6 inches of water. I feel like at any minute the power might go out! But, to tell you the truth, I love it! I’ve always loved a good rain storm. I love the sound the rain makes, the feel of fresh air, and the fact that all my plants are getting watered!

Do you like the rain?

I have to admit, though, that it’s not all relaxing. If you have to drive in the storm it’s a pain, and my anxiety goes way up. I drive like 10 mph. Going to the grocery store is ridiculous because your bags get soaking wet. So, we have been eating whatever we have in the house that includes a pot of vegetable soup thrown together with random ingredients, and spaghetti.

It has also meant that instead of working on my job search or my business, I had to stand in the rain with my favorite large cooking pot and scoop water out of our crawl space. Super fun. My back is going to be so sore!

But, it did feel good to be helping my hubby out. We are first time homeowners and first time home owners in a storm, so to be out there together siphoning water was a real bonding experience. I love that we could do that together.

Lately we have felt a little disconnected because we have different ideas of what I should be looking for in a job. I want a job where I can have the flexibility to be at home with our little one and work virtually at off hours. He wants me in a more traditional job.

It’s hard when you and your hubby aren’t on the same page.

The love is still there, and there is a solid foundation you have built over time. But when you don’t see eye to eye on big important issues it could feel like you are drifting apart.

So, here is my advice. Do something together. Anything. Siphon water from your basement. Go to dinner. Make time for each other. It really is important to do it.

And don’t talk about the “issue”.

I know, I know, relationships are all about communication. But for that hour or two, just have fun. Enjoy each other’s company and remember why you got married in the first place.

So let the storm bring you together. You’ll have time to work out the hard stuff later, but take some time to do something together and you will be a lot happier for it. The storm provides. 🙂

Speaking of storms, there’s some crazy thunder and lightning! I’m going to head to bed!