To say that the start of 2026 has been intense would be an understatement. I’m not going to go on a long rant about the general state of the world because it’s heavy and because I think everyone is feeling the effects of it already.

For us, we’ve celebrated two birthdays—Sev’s in February (she’s six! She had a frog-themed party!) and mine last weekend (I’m 36!). I’ve traveled for work twice, I’ve participated in another round of a PKU study I’m in, and…James has lost his job. I know we’re not the only ones facing a sudden change like that (I know so many people who have been laid off), so there is some consolation in knowing that we’re not alone. But that factor coupled with the overall turmoil going on politically/globally has been a unique challenge.

However, amongst the upheavals and the constant barrage of bad news from the outside world, I’m finding a lot of things within our home and family have been really grounding and fulfilling. Don’t get me wrong, the kids are driving us nuts! But their curiosity and sense of fun are also proving to be a welcome respite from the more anxiety-inducing matters. And not for nothing, turning 36 has had me thinking a lot about the life we’re living and what I’d like to see change or grow in the years to come.

One of the better things that’s been happening for me this year has been the resurgence of my writing group. In 2024, some friends and I had started a low-pressure writing group that for some reason just died in 2025. We’re back now and have had three sessions, and it’s been great. I love writing, but it’s helpful for me to have at least the deadline of a monthly meeting in order to get anything done.

I’ve also gotten better at knitting and sewing! I made a very basic, slightly wonky sweater for Oz using some yarn I had on hand. Then, with my newfound audacity, I had Sev choose yarn, a sweater style, and buttons, etc., and I made her a cardigan from start to finish. I’m pretty proud of it, warts and all! I’ve also made about a thousand pairs of pajama pants both for my own kids and for my niece. I figure, if nothing else then at least I can make one thing. Practice makes perfect and all that. I’m trying to focus more on making some garments for myself using various techniques as well. I’ve managed to crochet a top that I really love, and I’m in the midst of knitting a little cropped t-shirt to throw over a sleeveless dress or something.

I’ve also started learning how to embroider, which is way more enjoyable than I anticipated it would be. It started when I saw a pasta embroidery kit at Michaels (which I still haven’t finished) and has escalated into having received a buttload of embroidery materials from James for my birthday. I’m hoping that this skill will lead to creative ways of upcycling and repairing all of our clothing.

For a while, I had been in a bit of a creative slump, but I’m finding that the start of spring and the influx of craft-related gifts have helped me feel more motivated to make. I’m also continuing to work toward more sustainability and less support of harmful capitialist structures (read: fast fashion, mostly), so I’m feeling driven to make and/or mend more of my clothes and also those of my family. I even started darning James’s socks! I have a lot to learn, but hey…we all have to start somewhere.

James has also been feeling creative lately. He’s taken up drawing in a big way in the last few weeks and made some amazing progress. I’m biased, but I’m enjoying this journey he’s on because now I feel like there’s something more that we share. Also, now there’s someone else to help me use up all these art supplies I have been hoarding for over a decade….

Sev is also quite the little artist. She draws constantly. She is drawing right now—pictures of the roly-poly beetle that she has adopted from the front garden. Her love of art and animals and books reminds me so much of myself as a kid…and honestly, she reminds me of myself in some less-flattering ways, as well. It’s very humbling to have a child and realize that the issues they need to work on are perhaps a reflection of work you also need to do in your own life…. Anyway, she’s also making huge strides in learning how to read, and she’s joined the Girl Scouts!

Oz is so incredibly two years old, for better and for worse. His tantrums are borderline hilarious, but they are also frequent. Still, he is also becoming quite the interesting little guy. He’s really into jigsaw puzzles right now and continues to love trains and dinosaurs. He’s wanted to choose his own outfits more lately, and I notice that he gravitates toward favorites. He also remains extremely affectionate toward all of us—a sweet bean!

Since my birthday weekend just came and went, I’ll give a brief overview. Since it was Easter weekend as well, we spent it with my family. On the actual day of my birthday (April 4), we went to the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford. I hadn’t been there in probably over twenty years (my mom worked there before she remarried), and I just felt like looking at some art on my birthday. When I mentioned this plan to people outside my family, there was a repeated question of “Are you taking the kids? Will they be okay?” And like…do people not take kids to art museums? Is this a thing?

Anyway, my kids love art museums, especially Sev (see the above notes about her near-constant drawing episodes). Oz definitely got tired and crazy toward the end, but we had a great time—and I got to see a Klimt and a Mucha in person! Two of my favorite artists, and I didn’t realize the Atheneum had either of them in their collection. There was also a Caravaggio and both Orazio and Artemesia Gentileschi paintings, plus some great examples of Black American art and protest art. I had a great time!

At my request, James made a pistachio/cardamom/rose cake that was awesome. I actually just finished the last piece for breakfast this morning~ The food all weekend was good, though because of the PKU study I had been in on Friday, my stomach was a little touch-and-go the whole time (I have to fast for the study, and coming off of the fast with no gallbladder can sometimes give me grief). I received lots of crafting supplies, as already mentioned. Sev got me a huge skein of bright red yarn because my favorite color is red, and Oz has already asked me to make a sweater with it…so I guess I have that to add to my list of projects!

I am typing this entry from my old laptop, the one I used to freelance from before I started my current job and got a work laptop. It had been so slow that it was basically unusable, but James swapped out the harddrive and has loaded Linux…so I guess I’m a Linux guy now! So far it’s been pretty user-friendly, and I like being able to use my own computer again. It has clackity keys and a number pad—my ideal, haha!

As usual, I feel as though I’ve left out so many details. After all, three months have passed since my last update. The thing about social media is that when I was updating it, I felt compelled to share every single thing that was happening to me and around me. Blogging like this means that I can’t really cover every little thing, but I hope that it still gives some context and connection for anyone who reads it. Besides, y’all are only here for the cute kid pics, right? 😉 (On that note, I think the last entry had some weird issues with the photos…sorry about that. I’m hoping that using a laptop instead of the app on my tablet will prevent that going forward…)

I hope that by my next entry, there will be less of a pall of anxiety around…everything. Let’s all do our best to be kind to each other, kind to ourselves, and kind to the planet.