Some days I feel a bit sorry for myself and my lack of alone time. 

Some days I think:

“Could I PLEASE just get through ONE cup of coffee without an interruption?!”

“Could I PLEASE just get through ONE five minute shower without a little peeker or flusher?!”

“Could I PLEASE just make a bed without Mister interrupting me with some Danger Boy move like touching an outlet, putting something down the toilet, or practicing jumping near the top of the stairs?!”

“Could someone PLEASE put their own socks in the laundry just this ONCE without being asked to do it?!”

“Could I PLEASE sleep past 5:30am just this ONCE?!”

“Could I PLEASE have just ONE peaceful half hour with no obligations!!”

And then I pass the huge funeral procession for a 15 year old girl complete with camera crews…she and the 17 year old boy who was driving, died in a car accident last Wednesday.

And I think, those mothers will never have a peaceful moment again.

My thoughts shift…

I thank God for my half drunk cup of coffee because it means my kids are here to interrupt me.

I thank God for my hot and cold shower blasts, because it means my Baby Boy is in the room with me.

I thank God that my Danger Boy is still small enough to protect from himself and his choices.

I thank God for every piece of laundry left on the floor because it means that my daughters were  both here to wear them and drop them.

I thank God for my 5:30am daily wake up call because it means that someone needs me, and I get to hug and kiss each of my children good morning.

I thank God for my busy, full life and find peace in the crazy moments because I know destruction of that peace could be one moment away.

“Thank you, Father, for having created us and given us to each other in the human family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for yesterday, today, tomorrow and for the whole of our lives. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May we live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to us.”

To this I say AMEN.

Thirty five years ago today, my Dad married my Mom (and me.)  We call it “Our Anniversary” because Mom and I came as a package deal.  I was a rambunctious four-year-old and he was willing to take me on despite my proclivity for reminding him, “I don’t need to listen to you! You’re not my Dad!”  He didn’t let that scare him off, and he never let the fact that we didn’t share DNA stop him from disciplining, encouraging, loving, supporting, and advising.

Well, thiry five years later and he has been everything a Dad should be and more.  The best gift my Mom ever gave me was marrying him and I will be eternally grateful to God for interceding and sending him our way.

Hope everyone had as great a weekend as we did!  All of Zan’s siblings and their families were in town, with the exception of one brother-in-law and one nephew.  Good food, lots of swimming and digging, and relaxing lakeside whilst dreaming of new schemes to give my husband gray hairs.  (Suffice it to say, there is a camp for sale up the road from my in-law’s cabin.)   Although highly unlikely, it was fun to dream about making it ours. 

A few photos from the weekend:

 

And these were two little cutie patooties who were fishing on a nearby dock.  I couldn’t resist snapping their photo.

And another version….

…is on a mini-vacation…..without ME!  WHAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Okay, those were fake tears.  I am fine because I know she is fine, and more importantly, ready to take this step toward independence.  She is spending a few days with her Aunt and Uncle Mokturtle a few hours away.  We drove down for our annual picnic day spent with friends, and left her behind when we headed back home.  I will admit to a tiny squeeze of my throat as I drove away, watching her wave from the porch, but even more than her being separated from me and her Dad, I think I had a harder time knowing that the siblings would be separated from each other.  Thank goodness they are all very close…they get on each other’s nerves like any other siblings, but they really and truly love each other.  I think the first day or two will be like Heaven for them, and then their missers will get sore.

But, for her the time will go quickly.  They have a day of hiking planned (weather permitting) and a girly spa day for the ladies planned.  And they have a horse, and a swimming pond, and walking paths galore.  It will be a lovely vacation for her. 

I’ll have to see if they will let ME come and stay with them for a week next summer.  I promise to be good.  🙂