We are a family that does stuff.

Over the past year, I am the first to admit that the stresses associated with dramatically cutting back on a salary and opening a business cold has taken its toll.  Mainly on our bank account and, therefore, on our social life.

Nope, that is an understatement.

It's squashed it.

We just kind of stopped doing anything.   We turned down the heat.  And shut off the lights.  And canceled all the fun stuff.  Stopped going out for dinners.  And just dug our nails in and figured out a way to make it.

We cursed tripping over piles of toys.   We cursed the laundry.  We cursed the bills.  We cursed the monotony of the same meals.  We cursed the claustrophobia of being a family that does nothing. 

And then we stopped.  We stopped looking down and started looking up.

And we're getting there.  Nope, no pay check yet.

But we're getting there.  A way more important there.  We're learning how to live again.  Sure, it is usually in cheap or free ways.  But we're finding little moments to breath in and embrace life and living.

So, a few weeks ago, Brian told me he wanted to go buy a bike rack.  And that it was well, not cheap or free.  And I admit.  I kind of freaked out.  That is 2/3 of a car payment!  Or half a month of groceries!  Or or entire gas/electric bill!

He talked me off the ledge.  And made me realize we didn't have to spend three weeks on Craigslist looking for a cheap one.  Because after all, summer here is all of 5 weeks long.

And he bought it.

And now we are a family that goes on bike rides.  We stopped lapping the alley.  And we have gotten out.  We let the paper piles sit.  And laundry pile up.  And messes go on being messy.

And as we roll down hills with the kids yelling "WEEEEEEEE!"  We have been known to yell, "We are a family that does stuff!"

And it feels good.

We are a family that, once again, is going to be a family that does stuff.



And don't mind the screaming toddler in the photo.  He really was enjoying being a part of a family that does stuff.  And then he fell asleep.  And his dad's back was his pillow.  So he was just a tad annoyed that his dad stood up.