You may wonder, where has WayOutMama been? But probably not. If you are reading this, you are most likely already my friend in real life, or at the very least on Facebook. If that is the case, you understand the glaring gap in my blogging history without explanation. But for those of you just coming in, I feel like someone who’s been out of the workforce and is now trying to explain the space in my timeline on my resume.

But I don’t need to do that, do I? We’re friends, right? Since last I left you, I had a 3 year old and an 8 month old. I worked 2 part time jobs, one from home, the other- music, which is classically a very erratic schedule with plenty of late nights. We were living in a little row house, which we had definitely outgrown. The year was spent casing out many houses, until we finally settled on our dream house in a cute little town 20 minutes from where we were, but more centrally located to where we needed to be. We settled in January on the day of a blizzard which brought an historic 29 inches of snowfall. We moved in and got snowed in on the same day. Luckily, we had everything we needed, the power stayed on, and we took it as an opportunity to unpack.

A month later, I was pregnant. Imagine that! I was just getting used to 2 kids, and now the thought of 3? Overwhelming! At least we had plenty of room, now. I might have lost it if we were still in the row house! Over the summer, when I was 4-5 months pregnant, my husband had a health scare that could have been fatal if it hadn’t been caught in time. Thank goodness is was, and just a surgery later, we were in the clear. We had a very stressful month or so, waiting on results and his recovery from surgery. We breathed a huge sigh of relief, and moved forward, so very thankful for our many blessings.

A summer being pregnant with a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old was…. exhausting. I also had terrible sciatica and was still singing on a weekly basis, along with a small part time job I do from home. It was a long, hot, summer. We did have a beach/cousin getaway, which was such a nice opportunity for memory making for the kids (and the parents!). (“STOP RUNNING!” haha!)

My 4 year old started preschool then I was 8 months pregnant. My sweet William arrived at the end of the September. I sang up until 4 days before the birth, and started back up 3 weeks after. Here’s a picture of me of the gig just before the birth…..

 

Enter into the Christmas season, which was so bittersweet as it was my baby’s first Christmas, and our first Christmas in our new house with kids who understand a little more now. But on the down side, my dear friend and bandmate’s life on earth was coming to a close after a 3 year battle with cancer. To say this man was a walking angel is an understatement. A tremendous son, husband, father, friend, musician, coach, inspiration to so many, Rob Belanger was the tops, in so many ways. He is missed by many, and is missed still so much by me.

In January, another loss hit us- Jesse, our dog, finally lost her battle with cancer. She was given 6 weeks to live 2 and a half years prior, so she had quite an extra bonus life. We had wanted to get a puppy while she was still with us, but toward the end, it would have been too much with a tiny infant in the house, and the care that she needed.

About a month after Jesse passed, we welcomed Arlo into the fold. He was born on my husband’s great uncle’s farm. My husband and son went up for a visit, and came back with this little bundle of beagle. I never understood Snoopy so much until I met this little guy. Beagles are so funny and full of character, and the kids love him. One kid in particular was the center of Arlo’s affections… the baby! He just cuddled up to him immediately as if he was one of his own. Sweetest. Thing. Ever.

We had already planned on getting a bigger dog, an Anatolian Shepherd, but we were unsure if it was going to happen or not. Well, it happened, just 2 weeks later. Welcome, Finn, our big beautiful puppy! Jesse was half Anatolian Shepherd… Finn is full. They are so much alike it is eerie!

 

It was a year and a half jam-packed with every emotion possible. I’m looking forward to keeping you posted from here on out!

Until then, have a WayOut day!

 

(All rights reserved on photos. Photo credits B. Schurman, M. Wheatley, Church of the Nativity)