Posted on February 9, 2010 | 13 Comments
My friend, Tara, had this idea to do some ‘family self-portraits’ and turn them into a book for herself at the end of the year. Once a month…which should be about all I can handle. We took this family self-portrait at the end of December before she announced this project out of sheer desperation to get me in some of the images. So my kids don’t look back on our life and wonder where I was. This will have to do for our January portrait. Us, in our living room on a cold winter’s night.
January is always a time for slowing down for me as the fall and rush to Christmas is just mind numbingly insane. This year, there was something incredibly different about the whole experience–Bob quit his job. Some of you know this, but I’m not sure that I have really talked about it. It is easy to dismiss the reasons as simply–he wasn’t happy where he was OR something had to give–but the truth is, what he did was something even more wonderful than that. He put his career on hold so that I could pursue mine. He did so for several reasons…not the least of which being that I am crazy passionate and in love with my work and it was consuming every ounce of me in and out of our family life. With him at home now, I have been able to breathe. Deep breaths. I have been able to read again. I used to read ALOT but that was one of the things that got lost in the busy-ness of running a business and a household. I read 5 books last week(I was also flying a lot of the time which also helped). There was more time for us to do things together…to sit and chat, to grab a coffee and to play games with our children.
In January, I was able to sit back and reflect. Especially with our holiday to Orlando. I was able to see that our children have grown even more attached to him than they used to be. When they need help with something, no longer do they just default to me as their saviour. Someone asked me if this makes me sad, I quickly answered no…not at all. It makes me feel more complete. The transformation in our children has been the most shocking and wonderful aspect of all of this. Georgia has calmed down so much. Jack has been able to turn to his dad to help him discover all the answers to his increasingly more difficult for me to answer scientific questions. Don’t get me wrong, they both still have their moments(Georgia had a pretty major one about a half an hour ago), but watching them blossom into more creative play, more cooperative play, and wonderfully inquisitive, artistic children is such a gift. The perfect combination of the two of us.
And, well, most importantly for our family…my relationship with Bob has never been better. I am constantly reminded of why I married him and he makes me feel so beautiful and loved and we laugh…loud, houseshaking belly laughs all day long and end the day sitting in the living room after the kids have gone to bed listening to music and just smiling at each other. How perfect is that?
Aw, Dana this makes me so happy for you guys! I am pretty lucky that my boyfriend is helping me so I can pursue my passion too and it is such a wonderful gift. You have a beautiful family and I am so glad you are having the time now to really appreciate it. Enjoy!
Aww, Dana. What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it and your family!
what a wonderful post. How lucky are you that you found that special someone. This warms my heart
“houseshaking belly laughs all day long ” without this it doesnt matter, who you are, what you do , or how successful you are. What’s important is you remember who can make you spray milk out your nose! Your family self portrait is the perfect one to start with as it is the nucleas of your home. The place where everyone is everthing to each other. Time never stops and days fly by but you have that comfy couch to slow it all down and re connect together. You are not lucky to have Bob for what he has done for you, you are lucky to have him complete you. My Valentines mushy message.
That is fantastic Dana. I was so lucky to have that support too…and now it is my turn.
Perfect. Ok, why is it that we feel so contected to our web friends again? Love to you Pughs, thanks for sharing
that is so beautiful and touching… and bob, you’re my hero!! what a wonderful thing to do for your wife, your family.
and yes – beautiful family portraits like this NEED to be taken. i’m so glad you’re doing this, dana!!! 
MORE TIM TAMS FOR THE PUGHS!!!! 
xoxo
love your story and the photo
I had to tear up just a little. How special children are and how badly we need to take the time to enjoy them and each other
Dana, I love your last entry!! I totally saw sooo much love between you & Bob when we saw you the other weekend. It was so sweet. And you look awesome…so happy & full of life….makes me want to be a happier person. It was great to see you guys and when we come back in June we’ll have a longer visit with the kids too!! miss you, Leslea
Love the idea of this being a book at the end of the year!
I love, love love, this entry. It inspires me that true love is still out there.
Thank you for writing this beautiful blog!
Wow….that just says it all….wow!!! You are amazing people, we all need to take a few notes from you and your family! Hugs!!