on the perks of solo parenting.

hi and happy saturday! if you're new around here, you might not know that Mister Man has a pretty intense work travel schedule. he usually travels about two weeks out of the month, depending on the time of year, and so that means that i solo parent that same amount of time. we've been on quite the run here this month, so it's on my mind more than usual. he does such a good job taking care of us, from making the sacrifice of being away from home, to being so FULLY present when he is here. it makes it so much easier for me to solo parent when i have him as a partner. it can be tricky at times...like when i have to take amelia with me to church choir practice, or when she is just NOT.HAVING.IT one day. but even on the tough days, there are still perks to solo parenting.

LIKE...

i get to do my christmas shopping without sneaking around.i can eat an entire bowl of popcorn and watch the paradise on netflix without being interrupted.i can do weird blogging things (like my periscope on thursday!).i get quality mother-daughter time with little miss amelia.i have more time to dig in and catch up on my blog reading. speaking of which, here are some good reads and things from around the internets lately, in my humble opinion:

• on making self-care a conscious choice: this is a great read for all of us "recovering people pleasers", i suggest you read it.
• on being welcoming: "but there's days when i see the tea cup holding my bracelets in it's china hull and i wish she'd said, you're welcome." a simple phrase, but one that can make all the difference.
• on the refugee crisis: “[the church is] always open to families coming to the United States who need help, and we are going to continue to do that.” makes me proud to be Catholic, i tell you what.
• on new beginnings: casey's dad is getting a bone marrow transplant! yet another reason to join the bone marrow registry with be the match (that link takes you straight to the donor registry page, go on, it's easy...even i was able to join!).
• jordan smith, a wondrous unicorn with the voice of an angel (he gives me full-body goosebumps EVERY TIME):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm-KsLytcW0so you see, there are all sorts of good things about solo parenting. you just have to look a little harder for them when you're working and running after a toddler on no sleep because her molars are coming in. maybe i should have included something about drinking wine and taking baths up there too...?

have a fabulous weekend folks!

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