Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Another year of marriage
Andrew and I have been married another year. Honestly, I feel more and more grateful for him each year. I'm so grateful that my marriage is even stronger than I ever imagined it could be. Our day is unbelievably crazy, and I'm not sure that we will spend more than about an hour together this evening. I'm working at the high school today and this teacher eats the same lunch as Andrew, so we will get to eat lunch together. That's pretty much my favorite thing about subbing here! We are hoping to have an opportunity to have a nice dinner out this weekend, but we'll have to see how things go. I'm just so grateful for this life we have together!
Monday, February 6, 2017
Hoping she can find her niche
Catherine is getting ready to schedule for next year. I can't believe we are already talking about her sophomore year of high school, but that is reality! We've encouraged her to take a class that is run by the local career tech school that is basically a form of life skills. We are really hoping that Catherine is able to find something that might be her niche...and we don't seem to have found it yet.
I long ago recognized that Catherine is not our athlete. Part of it is the fact that she is willing to complete the expected activities and practices, but she is not interested in putting in any additional effort. Cross country ended years ago, and she has also decided to not participate in track this year. She still enjoys swim, but her size is a detriment...and she just isn't that strong. Marching band was a challenge for her, which surprised us. Apparently though, she is unable to march and play at the same time. Hopefully there will be some improvement this year, but last year it just never clicked for her. She loved participating in drama as an eighth grader, and we really thought drama and performing might be her thing. She didn't get a part in the fall play though, and struggled a bit through her drama class first semester. She has decided not to participate in the spring musical. I can't blame her for wanting to take the spring off because in addition to swim, she participated in mock trial this winter as well. She worked on it, although not as committed as some of the others, and apparently had a very difficult time at the competition. The adviser is a close colleague of Andrew's and I know that she would never be completely honest if she thought Catherine wasn't cut out for it, but she did suggest some other things Catherine might want to consider. I feel badly that she has struggled, but I'm grateful she has tried so many things. I'm also grateful we are at a school where there are still many different things she can attempt!
I long ago recognized that Catherine is not our athlete. Part of it is the fact that she is willing to complete the expected activities and practices, but she is not interested in putting in any additional effort. Cross country ended years ago, and she has also decided to not participate in track this year. She still enjoys swim, but her size is a detriment...and she just isn't that strong. Marching band was a challenge for her, which surprised us. Apparently though, she is unable to march and play at the same time. Hopefully there will be some improvement this year, but last year it just never clicked for her. She loved participating in drama as an eighth grader, and we really thought drama and performing might be her thing. She didn't get a part in the fall play though, and struggled a bit through her drama class first semester. She has decided not to participate in the spring musical. I can't blame her for wanting to take the spring off because in addition to swim, she participated in mock trial this winter as well. She worked on it, although not as committed as some of the others, and apparently had a very difficult time at the competition. The adviser is a close colleague of Andrew's and I know that she would never be completely honest if she thought Catherine wasn't cut out for it, but she did suggest some other things Catherine might want to consider. I feel badly that she has struggled, but I'm grateful she has tried so many things. I'm also grateful we are at a school where there are still many different things she can attempt!
It was a wonderful family weekend
This weekend worked out even better than we had originally planned. I'm so grateful for the time with my kids.
On Friday, Catherine had pepband and Andrew had dinner with a friend then went to the game. I got Robert to and from swim practice, then the boys and I hung out at home. Robert has been fighting a cold so he had NyQuil, and everyone was in bed early. Everyone slept over nine hours, and Catherine and Thomas slept over twelve hours. We needed that.
I spent Saturday cleaning the house. We were supposed to have company and I wanted things picked up. Robert was spending the afternoon with his girlfriend since we had plans for the evening. I was able to be hugely productive, and early afternoon our friends had to cancel because of illness in their family. We were disappointed, but I was also excited about the opportunity to spend time just with our family. We ordered a few pizzas, and the kids decided they wanted to watch Big Bang Theory. They hadn't seen much of season 9 so we binged watched several episodes. I love, love, love listening to my kids laugh. Everyone had an early morning at church yesterday, so they went to bed early on Saturday as well.
Yesterday after church we ran a few errands. Andrew spent the afternoon at school planning for the week and Robert had to be at work at 5. No one wanted to eat out last evening though, and he was off by 7. Our family watched the game together, although since we aren't fans of either team (although I can't stand the Patriots...NOT happy with the outcome) everyone went to bed early since this is the last week of swim and it's important to stay healthy.
I'm so grateful to have had these opportunities. I never miss the chance to soak them up!
On Friday, Catherine had pepband and Andrew had dinner with a friend then went to the game. I got Robert to and from swim practice, then the boys and I hung out at home. Robert has been fighting a cold so he had NyQuil, and everyone was in bed early. Everyone slept over nine hours, and Catherine and Thomas slept over twelve hours. We needed that.
I spent Saturday cleaning the house. We were supposed to have company and I wanted things picked up. Robert was spending the afternoon with his girlfriend since we had plans for the evening. I was able to be hugely productive, and early afternoon our friends had to cancel because of illness in their family. We were disappointed, but I was also excited about the opportunity to spend time just with our family. We ordered a few pizzas, and the kids decided they wanted to watch Big Bang Theory. They hadn't seen much of season 9 so we binged watched several episodes. I love, love, love listening to my kids laugh. Everyone had an early morning at church yesterday, so they went to bed early on Saturday as well.
Yesterday after church we ran a few errands. Andrew spent the afternoon at school planning for the week and Robert had to be at work at 5. No one wanted to eat out last evening though, and he was off by 7. Our family watched the game together, although since we aren't fans of either team (although I can't stand the Patriots...NOT happy with the outcome) everyone went to bed early since this is the last week of swim and it's important to stay healthy.
I'm so grateful to have had these opportunities. I never miss the chance to soak them up!
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Remembering what I want
Yesterday when Thomas and Catherine arrived home from school, we sat and chatted about their day. Robert arrived home half hour later, and we did the same as well. I was so grateful for those moments. And I remembered that there is nothing I do that is more important right now than being "mom". Thomas even mentioned he prefers the days when I'm home when he gets home. I told Andrew that it's time I go back to being picky about the sub jobs I take and not only did he agree, he was very happy to hear it. I'm so very grateful for his support in this. In just five years, my youngest will be only months from graduating high school. These days are going to fly by like I can't even imagine, and when it happens, I don't want to look back and think about how I was always working. I don't want Andrew to always be working either. I'm so grateful that we share the priority that time together is so important to us!
Friday, February 3, 2017
So very grateful today is Friday!
I am absolutely grateful that today is Friday...more grateful than I can really put into words. This evening, Robert has two hours of swim practice and Catherine has pep band for the basketball game. Andrew is having dinner with a friend and then hanging out at the game. Thomas and I are just going to hang out at home and do our thing. I think we can even have some fast food for dinner. Everyone should be home by 9:30, 10:00 at the absolute latest, and then I can go to bed. I can even sleep eleven hours if I want to. I know that I am unlikely to do that, but I truly can't put into words how tired I feel these days. The 5:00 A.M. wake up call has been rough all year, but then having to be at work by 7:00 on most days just adds onto it. I know that Thomas misses being able to play basketball or have art classes, but we are all grateful for the opportunity to sleep in on Saturdays. In fact, I might even be able to take a nap this afternoon!
Trying to find that balance
I'm trying to find balance as a working mom. I'm not sure I'm doing a very good job with it. With some expenses coming up and three full weeks off at Christmas, I am trying to work as much as I can. That often means that I need to go to the church after finishing at school. Or it might mean that I take an elementary job which means I get home later in the afternoon. I just feel it's what I need to do. However, I am reminded that being mom is still my first priority. Catherine has been asking each day if I will be home when she gets home. I've been trying to make sure that I am home at least every other day, and not be out of the house two days in a row.
I also worry about Thomas. He's been much less cheerful, and even one of his teachers mentioned it to me last week. So much so, that he was so happy in class one day this week that she felt it was noteworthy enough to send us an email. I think the last couple of months have taken a bit of a toll on him. Our entire focus has been on swim. Every evening, two kids had swim (and Catherine had mock trial many times as well) so our focus was really on how logistics were going to work. One or two evenings a week Thomas, Andrew, and I might have sat down for dinner but many nights things were just thrown together whenever there was time. He's been spending a lot of time by himself while the rest of us were running around, and he's missing his brother and sister, especially Catherine. I suspect he may also be sensitive to the lack of sunshine that is happening this time of year, and we've had plenty of cloud cover during the few daylight hours that do happen.
I'm trying very hard to be more present with all of my children. This is exactly the reason I've been hesitant to resume working...I don't want to lose my focus as a parent. I'm hoping I can keep everything in perspective and find the right balance!
I also worry about Thomas. He's been much less cheerful, and even one of his teachers mentioned it to me last week. So much so, that he was so happy in class one day this week that she felt it was noteworthy enough to send us an email. I think the last couple of months have taken a bit of a toll on him. Our entire focus has been on swim. Every evening, two kids had swim (and Catherine had mock trial many times as well) so our focus was really on how logistics were going to work. One or two evenings a week Thomas, Andrew, and I might have sat down for dinner but many nights things were just thrown together whenever there was time. He's been spending a lot of time by himself while the rest of us were running around, and he's missing his brother and sister, especially Catherine. I suspect he may also be sensitive to the lack of sunshine that is happening this time of year, and we've had plenty of cloud cover during the few daylight hours that do happen.
I'm trying very hard to be more present with all of my children. This is exactly the reason I've been hesitant to resume working...I don't want to lose my focus as a parent. I'm hoping I can keep everything in perspective and find the right balance!
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Where did January go?
I really can't believe an entire month has flown by in the new year. It just doesn't feel like that much time has passed! If I had to answer the question though, it would probably be "to the pool". Swimming has been exhausting, but such a wonderful experience for the kids.
The other thing is that there have been no snow days or delays! No extra sleep for this family...and we could use some! I'm really starting to think this is going to be like five years ago where there was not one single snow day (except for the kids and me who had norovirus days but nobody wants that!). There is nothing in the forecast that indicates we might get some time off and that is so disappointing. Hopefully something comes along soon!
The other thing is that there have been no snow days or delays! No extra sleep for this family...and we could use some! I'm really starting to think this is going to be like five years ago where there was not one single snow day (except for the kids and me who had norovirus days but nobody wants that!). There is nothing in the forecast that indicates we might get some time off and that is so disappointing. Hopefully something comes along soon!
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