A full week...in many ways

Next week the kids only have half days Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, so this is the last full week of the calendar year.  It's also the last week of the calendar year where I will be working all five, full days.  I don't mind, especially since the last pay period included not only days off for Thanksgiving, but two extra days off to prepare for the holiday and then a sick day as well.  No pay for any of those days.

It's also the week that final payments are due for the band fundraiser so I know what I'll be doing this evening...and tomorrow evening, and the one after that most likely!  It's worth it though, if the sale looks as though it will go as expected.  The kids have pep band tomorrow evening.  It's the only one they can attend this semester because of the swim schedule.  Andrew will be back from his school trip tomorrow afternoon, but has a meeting right away, and another one after school Wednesday.

On the upside though, we have a fairly unscheduled weekend coming up!  I don't know how we got so lucky!  The kids only have swim work out on Friday, not pool time.  Catherine immediately announced it needed to be Christmas movie night.  I suggested going to see some lights, but she might be on to something.  Maybe we could do both, or maybe we will catch some lights early Sunday evening (Andrew has to work Saturday evening at an athletic event).

I'm having a super tough time with my emotions lately.  Not only is Catherine graduating, but there are a few other things happening with the kiddos.  Everyone is fine, and I just need to learn to let them live their lives.  I want to protect them from any hurt, but I know that isn't possible.  I also need to accept that sometimes, my desire to avoid any risk in an effort to protect, is actually keeping them from something that isn't harmful, and could even be positive.  In other works, I don't always know what's best.  As a control freak, that can be tough to accept.  I've talked to so many parents who are going through so many things.  It's the toughest job ever.

Overall, I'm so looking forward to these holidays.  I'm looking forward to popcorn, and Christmas movies, and awesome scented candles, and fun food and beverages, and friends.  I want to soak up each event, each moment, big and little, and store it as a permanent memory in my heart.