Closing in on two years ago, I decided to take a break from writing.

This post is like waking up from a looong nap, stretching your arms out, and deciding if you just want to go back to sleep or not. I’m still a little tired, and not much has changed. In some ways, things have gotten even harder.

Let’s back up.

Over the last (almost) two years, my daughter turned three, and then four. She is now in gymnastics, ballet, and swimming. She is still very demanding (but such an amazing kid!) and doesn’t give me much of a break in terms of “me” time. Her bedtimes have been insane since she turned four… we’re talking 9:30pm on a good night. All of this added running and bedtime shenanigans, plus the fact that my husband has taken to having to work 70+ hour weeks… doesn’t give me much free time.

Also, in there somewhere, I turned 38, my dad was diagnosed with cancer (treatments are going very well!), one of my nieces is graduating high school, one of my nephews learned how to drive, and my best old friend had a surprise baby (her oldest is in college!). It has been quite the whirlwind.

The thing is – none of these things are ME. Nothing has happened in MY life. I mean, sure, my family IS my life. But once again, I find myself in desperate need of an outlet.

My husband really tries to help – he bought me a new camera, a Cricut machine, and is currently redoing my craft/sewing/gift wrapping room as a Mother’s Day present. As hard as he tries, though, the one thing he can’t give me is time. There just aren’t enough hours in the day. Especially since I value my sleep so, so much. (Harlow still doesn’t consistently sleep through the night. Oi.)

So. Where does that leave me? Maybe here? Maybe if I start back here, I will have some sort of inner push to carve out more time for myself again? The bottom line, is that I need this. I suppose it is worth a try.

Cheers to possible new beginnings.