A few nights ago we got the kids to bed and were in the living room chatting. Most likely I was working, Adam was probably watching some surf contents and we were sharing a bottle of wine. We paused what we were doing and talked about how much change we have experience in just the last 15 months.

We bought a brand new family car, something I never imagined we would do. I love our little Mazda 5. We all fit comfortably and my last tank of gas got 27 miles a gallon. And I love how little it is. I know most people love big cars, but not me. Oh and we bought a new house...something I also never thought would happen on the coast.

 I went from tutoring and teaching 4/5 grade on Saturdays to working as an Education Specialist with Ocean Grove Charter School. I work "full-time" yet 75% percent of my work is done from home from the computer, a totally new concept for me. I spent a lot of my energy all day with my kids, Charlie's class, our friends, sports and activities so I am happy that work is something I do alone....with an adult beverage close by and Adam right next to me. Here is my little office in a corner of the playroom. It actually works quite well because there are days where I need to work during the day and the kids play along side me.

 And perhaps the craziest change is we have a bunch of kids. I wouldn't have it any other way, really. They are beautiful and full of life and I am on a lifelong journey to learn patience, acceptance, humor in hard moments, and finding the joy in small things. But damn....we made a lot a babies in just 5 years of marriage.

 So we have a house...a mortgage...a new car....I have a new job that requires more time that I have to give, and we have another baby......but what I have learned is that no matter what needs to be cleaned, cooked, paid, done....there is always, ALWAYS time to enjoy the small thrills in life....like a spontaneous dance party, a small family gathering, a quick walk around the block, a night out with friends, a few jumps on a trampoline, a nice morning at the beach, a serious giggle session with your kids......because in the end I will never look back and say: I wish I kept my house cleaner, worked more during the day, or did laundry faster.....but I will say I am happy I cherished the small moments throughout my day. And I am not sure that I would have known this had I not had these kids to teach me.