Author Archives: nchristensen

When I first started my blog, in November of last year. I really intended to write weekly, and well, here I am, 6 months later (🤯) and FINALLY writing again. These last few months have been hard, real hard. But I have decided, I MUST start living with intention right now!

Maybe it’s like a vision board!? Living with intention. If you have, and visualize the desires on a regular basis – you fabricate them. So much has happened in our lives lately, we made a big move from Fort Mcmurray to Calgary. I started a new job here, and in a turn of events, (super unconventional) I am the main breadwinner. My husband is at home with the kids! We are landlords now. One of my husbands parents had a heart attack on Christmas Day (before we moved), one of my parents had a stroke just after we moved. Our 12 year old dog was hospitalized for diabetic keto acidosis, guess she is diabetic now!. And since she has had ongoing health problems. As of two weeks ago, basically the vet told us to put her down, that she wouldn’t live two weeks. She is still here with us, and happy as an old, blind, diabetic dog can be! It’s been A LOT, like I said. And if you have ever moved houses or cities, it is a lot of work!!! Especially with two kids unpacking the boxes you just packed! I think I packed for weeks and weeks ha ha.

There has been so so many changes lately, and I have been struggling. To be honest, working full time, coming home to two small kids who still very much need their mom, PLUS helping care for a sick family member and dealing with all the unknowns there – I feel burnt out. And that probably isn’t even fair to say. I am training in a new position, so I’m always in hyperdrive at work to do well. Always preparing, and anxious. I’m in a learners role. All leading me to being very exhausted and over drawn. Some of my personal relationships are impacted. And my family is too, I feel. I miss my time with my littles. Thank goodness I have an amazing husband.

I find on my first day off, of usually my two days off… I’m so exhausted I can never get anything done and I’m usually grumpy. Even in the evenings, as well. I’m so tired, as soon as the kids are in bed and my head hits the pillow, I too am down for the count. It SUCKS. I don’t have me time, or time with my husband, ugh. So I saw someone posted something on IG, about living with intentions to be happy or to be present, etc. And it made me think about doing that myself.

A few months ago, or actually, ever since having children. I could never let myself get comfortable, or have a relaxing drink, or a bath, in case baby woke up or someone needed something. Or knowing there would soon be someone yelling “mom mommy” but a few months ago, I decided even if it was 5 minutes, I was going to put my feet up and relax. And now that is exactly what I do. Because heck, sometimes it’s more then the few minutes I thought it would be, and sometimes it’s exactly what I need. May as well take some moments for myself. This change has turned our wonderfully.

So now, I am going to live with intentions. Specifically right now, intentions to be happy. I am going to purposefully ignore things that may frustrate me, or worry me. And just be happy. That will be my focus, for now. I don’t want to give myself more then I can handle. And I think that’s fair ❤️

Do you live with intention? What are your intentions?

Xoxo my friends! Has anyone told you today how important you are!? You need your cup to be full, before you can fill anyone else’s.

4:12am. That’s the time I crawled back in to bed, after my four year old yelled from her bed, (yes, I am lucky she doesn’t get up and trump around the house all the time haha) But she yells, and brothers room is right next door. See usually the kids wake between 5-6.. lately it’s been closer to 6:30! Thank sweet baby J. But not today, of course. It’s hubs first day back at work – here in Fort mcmurray it’s common to work out on site, and it’s shift work 90% of the time. He leaves at around 6:15am and gets home around 8pm. Depending when the kids wake, I get them up, live the day with them and put them to bed before he is home from work, definitely today they’ll be in bed, considering they woke at 4:10 and the little guy started around 4:30.

I thought we would make it unscathed, I mean a usual 6:20 wake up would be 5:20 – which I’m pretty used to. You don’t know this, but my little man has woken at 5:30 for pretty much half of his life. He is only 18 months! And since, I don’t know, 4 months onward he ALWAYS woke early early. He is a unique guy, and it’s true what people say about the first child being easier.. if I had him first, I certainly wouldn’t have had another. But more about that another time! Point is, early we are used to. But this is a new sort of fresh H.

I had plans to do stuff today. But I’m seriously reconsidering now HA HA. Do I want to fight with the kids to get dressed to go do anything. While the dog gives me the epic EPIC stare down from across the couch, because she wants to go for a walk. And if you have kids, you already know, you cannot walk by a park and not stop at it.. haha. Which the dogs realllllly loves, standing watching the kids play. And when I say kids play, I really mean watch all of us play, because they’re both small still and usually need my help! Poor dog. But back to getting the kids ready, they have the attention span of a fly. They want to go for a walk, to play at the park haha, and then getting them to get dressed or let me get them dressed, is like pulling teeth! Just to go out, and do the job of 2 adults while I walk the dog, push the stroller, maybe the 4 year old will ride her bike.. and likely will need help. Then the little guy will want out of the stroller. It’s never ending!

Today sounds like a day to avoid all of that. A 4am start, I am already tired tomorrow! I did also want to go to the grocery store, and return a brown sugar I got in my click and collect order. Its the dark brown, molasses smelling, brown sugar. And I wanted light brown sugar. When I bake (which I will do quite a bit of coming into the holiday season!! YUM) and I use that dark brown sugar, it doesn’t seem as yummy to me!? Anyone use this?

Anyways, send positive thoughts today friends! As dad is almost walking out the door here, 6am. And I am left to fend by myself with the kids and dog. The little one does nap, thankfully, so that will certainly be quiet time.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. And positive thoughts to all of you 🙂 thank you for stopping by! And I hope to see you again,

Nikki