Because I don't have enough to do already....: July 2010

Since my last post in April I have become much more involved in the management of Sean's dental practice, hired and trained two new staff members, and have spent more time on the phone than I thought possible. (Oh, and coordinated a wedding for a good friend, too. :)) The rewards are many, including more professional success for Sean and I, but the costs have been high. My goal for the next quarter is to find more of a balance between business and home life, and to take steps to help me enjoy the time I do have at home with our two adorable little girls.

Step One: Hire a house cleaner. CHECK! Boy, if that wasn't the best thing I've ever done. :)
Step Two: Make an attempt, however feeble, to set hours for myself for work, and hours for home (interesting that I separate "home" from "work" - the responsibilities are no less)
Step Three: Do more fun stuff with Ella. Make at least one playdate with a friend and take at least one fun "field trip" of sorts away from the house each week.
Step Four: Make arrangements for more frequent childcare for Ella so I can focus on work during work time. This will be better for us both, as she won't be frustrated that I can't play with her and I'll be able to be more efficient with my time.
Step Whatever: Regular blog posts. Not because I feel obligated, but because I truly cherish this journal of our lives together. With Ella's near constant hilarity and Betty's rapid growth, hopefully these posts will give me a few precious snapshots of our little ones in our daily lives.

This list is clearly going to grow as I work on finding a balance (yes, I already know it's impossible to really "find a balance"), but I'm posting it here to remind me why I'm doing all of this, which is for my family. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the practice and let it consume my every moment, and truth be told, I enjoy the challenge and I enjoy using that part of my brain again. But if I can't enjoy my kids, what good is it?

On to the photos! I have at least been able to snap a shot here and there during the crazy last couple of months, and here are a few highlights. Brace yourself - there are quite a few!

Ella always wants to hold Betty, and now that Betty is able to sit
up with help, she can enjoy it too. Here they are sitting on Ella's bed.

Mama and Betty on the front porch.

Ella getting her first professional haircut. Thanks, Uncle Don!

"Faux" cherries on our "non-fruiting" cherry tree. Lucky for Sean,
they're pie cherries. Thanks to neighbor Dennis for pointing this out.
I thought they were too sour to be good for anything but drying, but
they sure made a good pie.

Ella climbing around the pots on the front porch.

Sean & Betty.

With Uncle Don and Aunt Debbie at the top of Snowbird.

Ella and I mining for gemstones at Snowbird. She loved sifting

through the sand looking for treasures.

Ella making Paley (her much-loved stuffed kitty) smile for the camera.

Ella surprised us all by wanting to jump on the trampolines at Snowbird,
then true-to-form chickened out at the last second. The operators were
incredibly kind, however, and let me get on the trampoline with her.

Sean and his girls.

Ella smelling the flowers along our driveway. She knows the name
of nearly every plant in our yard, and loves to take people on a
botanical tour of the yard, pointing out and naming each one.