When I started this blog, I had lost a part of my identity. I was consumed with full time work and being Jeff’s wife. I was referred to as Rebecca’s mom for almost 2 years by one lady at our school, before I finally said, “You can call me Jenny.” I’m sure every wife and mom can relate to this at some point in their journey. I had to sit down and remind myself what I liked and what excited me that wasn’t related to Jeff or the kids.
But in my planning for 2012, I went to the opposite extreme of planning without taking into consideration what the dreams of the other 5 people in my family wanted. Don’t get me wrong, most of my items include them, but looking back I don’t know if I really asked them.
I’m thrilled to be Jeff’s wife and a mom to Rebecca, Ben, Emily, and Samantha. I want to see my dreams come true, but I also want to encourage Jeff and the kids to chase their dreams as well. I want to make sure they see that I seek to find that balance between holding onto my self identity and my cherished roles as their wife and mom.
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
In making my life list, we have started talking a lot more about dreams in our house. And this weekend at their big 3 day swim meet, we have been talking about our dreams. When we started sharing, I found myself a tad shell shocked. I learned so much in just getting Jeff and the kids to tell me 5 life list items. Just 5.
I found out that Jeff misses golf and regrets not trying to pursue professional golf longer. I learned that Rebecca wants to meet Foster the People. I had no clue who this group was, let alone that she liked them enough for them to be #1 on her life list. Emily wants to learn how to play lacrosse, Ben wants to go whale watching in Hawaii, and to no surprise, Miss Samantha wants to go see Mickey Mouse again.
Here are their lists…
Jeff
Play in the Pebble Beach ProAm golf tournament
Want to get really good at golf again
Learn to really cook (not bake)
Go to Machu Picchu
Learn how to play the guitar
Rebecca
Meet Foster the People backstage at a concert
Buy a massage chair
Learn to speak Spanish
Visit Ireland
Make Indian Fry bread with mom
Ben
Visit Costa Rica
Go whale watching in Hawaii
Watch an NBA game with courtside seats
Go to every Cardinals game in a season
Take basketball camp at the University of Arizona
Meet Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald
Emily
Go to Olympics as a spectator and as a swimmer
Meet new friends from all over the world and make pen pals
Learn how to play lacrosse
Be in a triathlon
Visit Canada
Meet Taylor Swift
Sam
Go see Mickey Mouse again
Play playdoh
Go to the park and blow bubbles
Feed the giraffes at the zoo
Bake with mom
Just by speaking our dreams out loud as a family, I learned more about the people that I share a house and life with. Some of these items were no surprise, but others I was completely and pleasantly surprised. And I find myself wanting them to experience these things as much, if not more than, some of my 1300+ items. And isn’t that the way a family is supposed to work?
So today I’m looking at a grander, bigger picture. I am continuing on my path to complete my 1300+ items on my list. But I am also excited to see Rebecca’s face when she meets Foster the People or Ben’s face when he sees a whale come to the surface of the water in Hawaii. How are we going to afford this or make it happen? I honestly have no clue. But it’s gonna happen. Again, I’m looking for that wonderful combination of determination and magic. Bring on the magic.
Blessings sweet friends – Jenny
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