The last day of 2018

Another year end has arrived.  As I knew it would be, it has been a year of some transitions.  Overall though, I think it has been a good year.

We still have all of this week off school.  Lots going on though.  Catherine works tomorrow, the kids have double swim practices on Wednesday and Thursday, and Andrew has to work on Friday.  We have an all-day swim invitational on Saturday, and Catherine works again on Sunday.  Not entirely getting to sleep in, but still better than 5AM wake-ups.

We are planning to be at some friends' house to ring in the new year tonight.  Honestly though, I would much rather be home.  We might compromise and go for a few hours before coming home to ring in the New Year, but that is still several hours off.

I'm looking forward to another wonderful year in 2019.  Prayers for safety and good health for all!

The emotions of the past week

As we got into Friday evening, the emotions of everything began to weigh on me.  Robert knew it, and I tried very hard to be strong.  I couldn't however, ignore the meaning of everything happening around me.

For one thing, Robert will be leaving the middle of January for a pacific island.  His orders are for three years there.  Us visiting him is extremely cost prohibitive.  Even him visiting us is super expensive.  We are hoping he might be able to come back in 17 months for Catherine's high school graduation.  However, that is not a sure thing, either from the timing or from a financial standpoint. Knowing my son was leaving and it could be more than year (or even years) before I see him again was a tough reality to face.  Add to it the fact that my father-in-law may not know who he is next time, or even be around, and those were some serious emotions.

There is also the fact that Robert brought a dog with him.  Turns out this dog is only a four-month-old puppy.  Our sweet Abby is less than thrilled, although she is very tolerant.  Of course Catherine and Thomas adore this puppy and are doing a very good job of being helpful and caring for the dog.  It was tough for Robert to say goodbye to the dog yesterday, and when the dog realized Robert wasn't here, he was sad as well.  It hurt my heart.  I'm also concerned about the kids being attached to the dog.  He is supposed to go to my mom's house to live for a couple of months on Thursday, but I don't want her getting too attached either, and I'm not entirely certain she is going to put up with him.  I could handle him being here for a while, but it isn't what I want for us.  I feel guilt that part of me is irritated with Robert for adopting a puppy right before going overseas, but I understand how it happened since Robert is incredibly impulsive and this is a sweet puppy.

I am so very, very grateful for the amount of time we all had together last week.  I was a little caught off guard that I was so emotional at the end (although lack of sleep played a part as well).  It was hard knowing Robert would be so far away, but him being a functioning member of society is certainly what we had been going for, and I'm proud of him.  I'm so grateful he loves the Navy, and I love what the Navy has done for him.

We still have a week until school begins again.  I am looking forward to a bit of quiet time before it all gets crazy again.

The second half of our week

This was the first time my in-laws were here for more than three days.  I think, without saying anything, that all of us had some concerns that it was too much togetherness.  The first few days felt as though they moved very slowly, but that was fine.  I enjoyed each aspect of our Christmas celebrations and rejoiced that we still had so much time to go until school is underway again!  One of my favorite things we did was our church service on Christmas Eve.  Everyone was especially happy to see Robert, and I'm glad he was able to be there.  The church has been extraordinarily supportive and prayerful regarding his naval service.  My in-laws didn't join us because they needed to attend Mass in order for it to "count" as attending church.  I felt badly because I do wish for us to attend as a family, but felt it was important Robert have an opportunity to see our church family.  Andrew pointed out it was his parents' decision not to attend with us.

Wednesday evening some friends came over for dinner and so most of the family was preparing for that.  Thursday Robert wanted to purchase a computer (a joint gift via cash from nearly the entire family), and Andrew, Robert, and my father-in-law spent the afternoon doing that before my mother came down for a very nice dinner out.  Friday was the 55th wedding anniversary of my in-laws, and we celebrated a day early.  After dinner was one of my favorite parts of the entire week.  My mother headed home, and our family settled in to watch a movie.  We had purchased a new TV for our living room because it is the larger of the rooms, and I loved watching our family sit and laugh and laugh.  My heart was incredibly full as I sat and watched everyone share those moments and laughter.  I know that memory will always be vivid.

Last evening the swim team holds an alumni meet against current swimmers.  In two races, Robert and Thomas swam right next to each other.  My in-laws enjoyed watching the kids swim.  It made for a later dinner of leftovers, but we all sat around our table and ate together.

Because of Robert's early flight, it was a time for good-byes last night.  I will write about that in another post though, because it was very emotional, and I want this post to be one of the many happy memories of the week!

It suddenly got very quiet around here

For the past seven nights, there have been seven people sleeping in this house.  Robert has already landed back in Texas, and Andrew is on the road taking his parents back.  That leaves only three of us sleeping in this house tonight.  Right now Catherine is at work so it is incredibly quiet.  I had to be up at 3AM to take Robert to the airport, and it's been an emotional few hours, so I'm grateful for the quiet.  I will definitely write another post soon about the rest of our week after Christmas, but right now I'm just too tired.  I am so incredibly grateful for the past week!

Merry Christmas 2018

We are all pretty tired around here, but it has been an absolutely wonderful day.  We enjoyed our morning around the Christmas tree, and it was extra special having my in-laws here.  After we opened all of our presents, Andrew made some pancakes for breakfast and we began to get ready to head north to be with my mom, sister, and grandmother.  I really enjoyed our morning.  I especially love watching the kids enjoy the morning.

We were just about five miles from home when the check engine light came on in the van.  We decided to turn around and take two cars.  It was less than ideal, but it was what needed to happen.  Ironically, when I picked up Andrew's parents last weekend, a warning light came on in Andrew's car also, so our 2001 Honda is currently the only vehicle working at peak performance.  Ugh.

Anyway, it was a very nice afternoon at my mom's house.  Two aunts, an uncle, two cousins, a husband, and their four children joined us in addition to my aunt's brother.  After we all ate and enjoyed visiting for a while, I took Catherine and Thomas to visit my paternal grandmother, and Andrew, Robert and my in-laws came home.  Fortunately, they were only half hour ahead of us because when they got here they realized they didn't have a house key since they were driving my in-laws' vehicle.  Oops!

Honestly, I will remember this Christmas for many good reasons.  It's a transitional year.  We are no longer trying to get together with all of extended family, although we are extremely blessed and that still happened.  We are now entering the phase of life where we are hoping our children spend some time with us for the holiday.  I am so grateful for this opportunity to spend some of the day with so many loved ones!

Christmas Eve 2018

We are having a pretty quiet day here right now.  Robert had to take his new dog to the vet for a check-up early this morning, then we will have lunch a little after Noon.  We are having a big ham lunch because my in-laws are going to church late afternoon and we are going in the evening.  Normally we would all just go with my in-laws (because them coming with us wouldn't "count" for them...don't get me started), but we want Robert to be able to see our church friends who have been so supportive and prayerful of him.  We should all be home by 8:30, and plan to enjoy a quiet evening.

Unfortunately, I have a bad cold and am not feeling well at all.  Fortunately, Andrew usually does the cooking in our family anyway, and his mother is here to help.  Honestly, I would prefer to just lay in bed and sleep, but that isn't really an option.  However, I am grateful that I am able to enjoy the holiday, and am looking forward to tomorrow.

Our house is very full, and our hearts are even more so

We are all here, and for the next 72+ hours we will pretty much be together every waking moment.  There are seven humans and four pets.  That is a lot of breathing creatures, and a lot of personality.  Both Robert and my in-laws leave next Saturday.  I know it is going to be crazy, and I'm particularly praying for patience and kindness for us all.

As full as our house is, my heart is even more full.  Robert will be at his next assignment for three years.  Because of the cost of transportation, it will be only once he can come for a visit, if that.  My in-laws are older, and my father-in-law especially is failing.  This is the year to make memories.  I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

This is not where I want to be right now

I am currently at my in-laws house.  With the commitments of everyone, this was the plan that worked best.  I got here this evening and will bring them back tomorrow.  I am excited that we are all going to get to spend the week together.

However, this is not where I want to be.  This is the first night of our two weeks off for break.  I love, absolutely love this day, and I'll be honest, I would much rather be home with my kids.  I understand though, that this is where I need to be tonight.

At the same time, I just learned some information that brings me tears.  Thomas texted me to let me know that he is swimming the 500m free race tomorrow.   I will forever remember Catherine's first 500m race, and how Thomas was right there to check on her.  I remember Robert's first 500m race, and how he nearly collapsed when he was done.  Tomorrow's meet is away, and Andrew and I don't do away meets.  I am terrified that something is going to happen.  I am afraid that he won't be able to finish and will be upset, and we aren't going to be there for him.  It breaks my heart that I can't be there.

Honestly, nearly everything involving my younger two kids breaks my heart these days.  I am just so grateful to be their parent, and I can't believe how quickly the time is passing.

Done working for a few weeks

I had to work yesterday afternoon.  The school day was a full day, but the schedule was adjusted and the afternoon was an exam.  The rest of the week consists of two exams scheduled each day.  I was asked to work this morning and was in for a science class.  I was flattered that I have been trusted to administer three exams, and of course I am always grateful for the opportunity for additional income.

That should be it for a few weeks though.  I am scheduled to work again the first day back, but that is 19 days away.  Even though I have to be up before 6:00 the next two days, no work for awhile.  Looking forward to some down time!

High school swim

I neglected to write about the high school swim season beginning last week.  Andrew and I will be working at all the home meets in some way during the season.  My job will normally be guarding the doors, which means I am finished less than half way through the meet.  Then, I get to watch the rest of the meet with Andrew.  It works out well. 

Last Tuesday was the official beginning of the high school season.  I'll be honest, I missed watching Robert compete.  He was never a star swimmer, but he was always competitive.  The beginning of the season also meant Thomas's first high school meet.  He swam the JV heat in most of his races, but he was competitive in those races.  As just a freshman, he does have some potential for improvement.  Catherine did fine.  She just isn't very strong and she struggles with stamina.

Many meets to go!

Several prayer requests

I am a huge believer in the power of prayer and good thoughts, and I have a few requests...

1) A friend lost her mother yesterday after a several year battle with cancer.  She lived longer than many with her particular form of cancer and while I am sure there is comfort that she is no longer suffering, only eight days before Christmas is a very tough time to lose a loved one.  Not that there is ever a good time, but there are particularly crappy times, and this is one of them.  Please pray for her family.

2) There is a young family in town whose son (only eight-years-old) had a leukemia relapse and had a bone marrow transplant around Thanksgiving.  He is doing well, but please pray for continued good news and healing.  While I am so grateful that things are going well, I can't even imagine the fear of his parents.

3) Our high school students have finals this week, and that means it is most certainly finals week in our home.  For Catherine I'm not overly concerned, although Math is always a challenging subject for her and that exam will be first thing tomorrow.  For Thomas, and many freshmen, it is not always completely understood how much just one 90 minute test can affect their semester grade.  Please pray for all of our students, specifically that they work hard and find the knowledge they need in their memory banks!

4) Lastly, please pray for safety for all who are traveling this holiday season!

A day to wrap things up

I am off today!  There was a job yesterday I could've taken, but Andrew encouraged me to be home.  I'm not sad!  The kids and Andrew have a meeting after school, then will go straight to swim work out and Andrew will also work out.  He will then drop them off at swim practice and come home.  I have a meeting at church at 6:30 this evening, but no where I have to be until then.  I have the next 9-1/2 hours completely to myself.  And I plan to wrap, wrap, and wrap things up!  I have Christmas music on, and a Christmas candle lit, and the trees are on.  This is the only day that I have the entire day, and we finished our shopping for the kids yesterday just in time!  So looking forward to today!

I took the morning off

A few weeks ago I accepted a job for this afternoon.  It's in band, and let's face it, the kids all know me!  I loved the fact that it meant I didn't have to be at school until 11.  Most days this happens though, I am called in for the morning.

I'll be honest, the call came this morning and I said, "no."  I had a plan for my morning and it didn't include being at the school.  Nine times out of ten I will always go in, and I do hate to miss the opportunity for extra income.  However, sometimes I just need to step back, and this morning was one of those times.  Being able to do so is one of the greatest blessings of this job.

I still don't have to be at school for another three hours.  I have enjoyed a cup of coffee, and I've sat here with the Christmas lights on and enjoyed a very quiet morning.  It is truly a blessing.

We finally have a plan...sort of

When anyone has asked about our Christmas plans, my response has been, "Everything is TBD.  It depends on Robert's schedule."  Obviously, we weren't going to make any definite plans until we knew for sure what Robert was going to be doing.  However, I was beginning to become concerned as the days kept ticking away.

Finally, over the weekend we developed a plan.  Robert was coming in on the 23rd and staying until January 2.  Oh, and he plans to bring a dog.  Okay.  Lots to work on there, but at least some definite information. 

Because of other commitments, we decided it would be best if my in-laws came here.  Of course, that means ten hours of driving to go get them, and then ten hours of driving to return them, but things were starting to formulate.  We could get them on the 22nd, and if both Andrew and I went we could do it there in back in the same day.  We would have to, because Andrew had to work the evening of the 21st and we have Christmas at my grandmother's house on the 23rd.  We worked it out though, and we had a plan.

Then along came Monday.  Because an eye infection caused him to miss a test, Robert's plans changed.  He decided he would be coming in on the 22nd and returning on the 29th.  The good news is that the 22nd was a very late flight, so we would be back in time to get him.  And if the dog didn't come (he isn't certain about those plans) then he could stay over at my grandmother's house until the next day when we would be there for lunch anyway.  Unfortunately his return flight is 6AM, which means leaving our house at 3:30.  I was not pleased, but it can be done.

Then came Tuesday.  He decided to change his arrival flight to earlier on the 22nd.  Well, no one can pick him up.  By this point I was beginning to be a little irritated.  As I pointed out to him, when one needs to rely upon others to make things work, one ought not to assume we are sitting around twiddling our thumbs waiting to serve him.  And still no definitely information on the dog.

So the in-laws are coming, although we aren't exactly sure how long they are staying.  Robert is coming for a week, and possibly a dog as well.  We have an idea where everyone will sleep, and I know we will be busy and enjoy each other's company.  I'm also grateful that by the 29th or 30th, it should all be done.  So while Christmas week might be crazy, we will have an entire week after before we go back to school.

At least we have a plan...sort of!

So happy to be back at the high school

This week, I was off Tuesday, and then Monday and yesterday I was in Kindergarten.  I love the little ones, but they are oh-so-very exhausting.  The schedule of working much later into the afternoon is also tough on our family, but I do enjoy seeing little friends every once in a while.

Today is probably also my last full day until after the holidays.  I am scheduled both tomorrow afternoon and Tuesday afternoon, but nothing all day.  I don't expect anything else either, and honestly that is fine with me.  There is definitely a lot that needs to be accomplished in the next couple of weeks!

It was a lovely morning drive

I had a doctor appointment this morning in my former town.  Last night we had a very cold night around here and there was frozen fog.  It was just after sunrise as I was driving this morning, and it was really very lovely.  It's especially beautiful right here in the holiday season!

Army Navy

Today is the Army and Navy football game.  We've always been a fan of this game in our house, and last year we rooted for Navy given Robert's plans.  However, we are now officially a Navy family, and this is our first football game as such.  Andrew and I are both dressed in our "Navy Mom" and "Navy Dad" sweatshirts.  We are in different rooms because I am cleaning and he is grading, but we both found ourselves being more emotional than normal as the introduction to the game was taking place.  While Robert isn't at the academies, he is serving our country, and we are very proud.

I also get a little emotional because this game means the end of college football Saturdays.  They are the best Saturdays of the entire year.  College basketball just isn't the same until March.  So for today, I am going to enjoy what I hope will be a Navy win!

Ten years of blogging

It was a Monday, ten years ago today, that I began this blog.  I actually remember it very clearly.  I had been worried about blogging for privacy reasons, but I'm so very glad that I have ten years of memories saved here.

Ten years.  Wow.  I love thinking back to those little people who I wrote about all those years ago.  Our lives were so different.  I was a mom of little kids.  Now my oldest is out on his own.  Ten years went by faster than I can even imagine.

Friday makes everything better

It was kind of tough to get out of bed this morning.  It is really cold, and we are really tired.  However, knowing that it is Friday makes everything better. 

After school I have to run band errands, Andrew has a meeting, and the kids have swim workout.  There is no swim practice this evening, but they are attending a dance.  Tomorrow Catherine works, and Andrew will take Thomas to the church for the Christmas program rehearsal.  His hockey supervising duties for tomorrow were cancelled, but I will probably spend a couple of hours at the church getting my job done.  Sunday is the Christmas program and Andrew has a meeting.  I am hoping to make a quick trip to my hometown for an open house, but we'll see what the weather is like and what other things I have finished.  Next week I am working every day except Tuesday (as of right now) and I need to be getting some gifts wrapped...and purchased first!

After today, only ten days of school remain until two weeks off for the holidays.  In the meantime, I hope to remember to enjoy the magic of the season, and not get to stressed about making everything "perfect".

Yesterday was wonderful

Yesterday was really as wonderful as I thought it would be.  Sleeping in was definitely a fabulous start to the day.  I didn't get nearly as much finished as I would've liked, although I did get about 95% of Christmas cards finished.  I really just sat and relaxed while working on the cards, and just thoroughly enjoyed the quiet down time.  That is very rare.  It was even an extra treat that Andrew's work finished much earlier than expected, and he was home before the kids.  It was nice to have some time to catch up.  I have a bunch of errands to run this evening, but I am cautiously optimistic I can live in an uncluttered house by this weekend!  I even have a few fun holiday plans!

A wonderful day to be off work

Within the last two weeks, I missed a couple of opportunities to work today at the high school.  I was bummed, but it turns out that today is the only day I'm off this week...and my first school day off since November 2.  Because I get to sleep in 45 minutes on days I don't work, it meant we were still asleep when a later-than-normal phone call came that school was on a 2-hour delay.  That meant I got to sleep until nearly 8:00!  It almost feels too good to be true.  That unexpected snow at just the right time was much appreciated.

And even better is the fact that I don't have to leave my house all day.  In fact, I have almost all day to myself.  The kids will be home at 3:00, but have to be out the door by 3:45 for swim workout and won't get home from practice until nearly 8:00.  Andrew has athletic director duties at a wrestling meet this evening and probably won't be home until even later.  I plan to get so many things handled around the house, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to make it so.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying a few moments to just sit.  I have Christmas music playing, and the animals are all sleeping.  In fact, one of the cats is cuddled up with me.  I know that when I get up and start cleaning, I'm going to be irritated by the things my kids couldn't put away, but with the Christmas music on and the snow covering outside, it is incredibly peaceful.  I am so grateful for this.

Christmas stories

Catherine is our Hallmark/Lifetime movie girl.  She seems to have her dad hooked on the current batch of holiday movies as well.  I'm not always the biggest fan, although sometimes I will sit and watch one.  I just find the formula of two people who don't get along but are drawn together (usually by kids or an animal) to be tired.  Same with the one of them left town (usually her) but now has returned due a family issue and high school sweethearts are reunited.  There usually isn't much of a twist.  I do understand why people might like them, but I prefer watching ESPN.

Books however, are another thing.  I have checked out several books from the library.  Most of them are "Jessica Fletcher, Murder She Wrote" type mysteries with an amateur sleuth solving a quaint little town's murder.  I enjoy these overall, but right now I am insisting that all of them be Christmas stories.  It makes me enjoy the days I am working at the high school and can read and read!

How do people decorate in a day???

On Thanksgiving Thursday, Andrew and Thomas took all the Christmas boxes down from the attic and put them in our garage.  I had no intention of beginning to decorate that evening, but I needed the boxes to be handy and they were leaving the next day.  I didn't get much done the next day either, between breakfast out, an afternoon of volunteering, and a quick after-dinner drink with some friends.

It then took me ALL DAY Saturday and Sunday to continue decorating.  Notice I didn't say finish...I don't think I'm there even yet!  Granted, I've also been working on Christmas cards and the band fundraiser chaos, and working basically full time, but it was yesterday before I finally put all the tubs back in the garage.  And it doesn't mean that things are all put together.  It just means the tubs are back in the garage.  I still have items that are normally up that need to be stored somewhere.  So the tubs came into the house nine days ago, and I'm still not living in a house put together. 

However, there are tons of people who seem to be able to decorate in a day...how is this possible?  I am sure that perhaps the entire family helps, but I still don't understand how it gets done in a day.  I am ready for less clutter, but not sure when I will actually get there!

The first weekend of the season

One of the nice things about Thanksgiving being so early is that we get an "extra" weekend in between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I would love to say that it makes the season less crazy, but so far that is not the case.

Honestly, I had been looking forward to Friday evening all week.  The kids only had swim workout but no swim practice.  Looking ahead at the calendar, it was one of the few (and perhaps only) evenings we would be able to make it happen.  We took Abby (the dog) along, and were one of the first visitors in line.  In fact, we were home by 7:00 for a quiet evening.  We popped some frozen pizzas in the oven and hung out together.  I love those evenings!  We even heard from Robert telling us the power had gone out on base.

Saturday I was up fairly early to head to my hometown.  I was having lunch with my mom and grandmother, and there was also a community home tour I wanted to attend.  I was also able to make a quick trip to the soap store I wrote about in my last post.  It was a crappy weather day, and the traffic was rough on the way home.  I stopped and treated myself to a Starbucks coffee on the way home, and between that and the Christmas music I was listening to, it was very soothing.  Andrew and Thomas took off for my in-laws, and because of a traffic accident their five hour drive took nine hours.  Catherine had to work all day, but was home in time to watch the OSU game with me.  I spent the evening working on my Christmas cards, and we enjoyed our evening.

Yesterday Catherine had to work again, and I made a trip to Kentucky to visit some relatives and deliver the wreaths they had purchased.   It is always fun to visit with them, but I think we all felt a little antsy about things we were wanting to get done.  I didn't stay very long, and that was fine with all of us.  I came home to get some things done around the house and try to get ready for this week.

Andrew and Thomas will be home today.  This was a planned trip, but the plans, of course, didn't happen as they were originally planned!  I will be so glad when they are home.  I'm trying to enjoy all the moments though.