It's August again

August has been, throughout the last 25 years, among the most stressful months of my life.  There certainly have been years when it was just another month, but there were many, many years when it was the most stressful month of the year.  Even in years when it wasn't THE most stressful month, it was still full of stress many times.  The last two years though, have been better, so I guess we were due for some "adventures".

With Andrew returning to coaching, me having my own part-time job, and all three kids doing fall sports, it was a crazy week anyway.  Adding in my mother's unexpected hospital visit and Robert's hernia diagnosis, was a little bit of additional stress even though things are turning out okay.  On Friday, our neighborhood had a water main break so we were without water for a few hours (we've been under a boil advisory since then).  Not a huge deal, except that when the water came back on it blew out our water heater.  Fortunately, football practice had just ended when we discovered it so I was able to call Andrew and have him get home ASAP.  He and Robert worked quickly and were able to keep anything from being destroyed.  We were also able to have the water heater replaced first thing yesterday morning so that worked out well.

Last evening we had some friends over for dinner.  We were all so excited to see them as it had been three years.  Since the water was hot again we were all clean and I was able to clean the house so things were working out just fine.  While Andrew was out grilling, he apparently allowed our sixteen-year-old cat to go outside.  Then, he became distracted and lost track of him.  Wally wandered off, and for several hours we couldn't find him.  Robert was indifferent about the whole thing, but Catherine and Thomas were devastated.  Andrew was also distracted because he knew it was his fault, and while I can be philosophical about a cat of that age, seeing my kids like that was so very hard.  The kids were trying not to just lose it in front of our company, which made my heart ache for them even more.  The younger two were so determined and just kept going out searching the neighborhood.  Finally, Thomas found him at a creek in the woods behind our house.  The creek is dry because there hasn't been any rain, so they were easily able to scoop him up and head on back to the house.  Thank goodness!

I am very grateful that everything is working out just fine.  We are very, very blessed.  While I'm not necessarily ready for the added stress of the school year, I am looking forward to the routine it is going to bring.  It's goring to be CRAZY, but I think we need it right now.

A few medical issues

At 10:30 Tuesday evening I received a phone call from my aunt that my mother had passed out at her monthly card club and was being taken to the e/r in an ambulance.  No one could reach my sister so we woke the kids and took off.  Fortunately, less than half way there I received word that Mom seemed to be absolutely fine and my sister was there.  It turns out my mother was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope...which means she is going to faint sometimes.  There are specific triggers that have to do with her health, so it's not necessarily that she is in danger of losing consciousness or anything.  Generally speaking, she is fine.

However, Robert has been having some pains.  At first I discounted them, but they continued.  Robert decided to seek out the athletic trainer yesterday, and after a doctor appointment this morning, it seems as though Robert has a hernia.  My extremely healthy child (he was ALWAYS the healthiest) has certainly presented us with plenty of health issues in the last year!  He will have to see a surgeon, and we will have to work that in around all of the beginning of the year things.  The doctor did clear him to continue running and he can even compete.  In addition, there is a chance the recovery will be short so hopefully he won't lose the entire season!

It's getting real

Today, paperwork arrived from the school.  It really makes the beginning of the year seem so very real and right there, and suddenly I am losing my enthusiasm for it.  I suspect that is due, in part, to the fact that Robert has to be on the but at 5:45 AM.  You read that correctly...that early.  Very early.  I knew to expect it, but having it confirmed made it all very real.  I know that it is only for the next two years as I doubt that Catherine or Thomas will be interested in attending the career school, and even then Robert may be able to drive at some point and sleep in about 45 minutes.  The schedule hasn't changed for the other two.  Suddenly the craziness of this week seems nothing to losing about ten hours of sleep each week.  We'll be okay though...just sleep deprived!

We've been busy

This past weekend we visited my in-laws.  We had three days on the calendar with nothing scheduled so that we could make the trip, and to be honest, I'm beginning to wonder if our calendar will every be that empty again.  We had a nice visit, and my mother-in-law is recovering decently from her surgery.  My mother-in-law asked what was coming up this week and I replied with...

"Six cross country practices, five football practices, three marching band practices, three doctor appointments, two hair cut appointments, three cook outs, two meetings, one overnight sleepover, and of course both Robert and I working."

In addition we've had drama with band issues and because the directors are not able to be at practices, I'm getting to deal with a lot of it.  Yippee!  We've added a few other things to the mix (some voluntarily, some not) and it's definitely been one of the craziest weeks we've had in a very long time.  Andrew and I are getting used to the fact that we just aren't going to see each other very much right now!

Done for the summer

Earlier this evening, we returned from spending the weekend at my in-laws.  I am happy to report that this is the final trip (of the very few we've taken) this summer.  I recognize that I am simply happier at home.  It is my comfort zone, and I simply don't care for being elsewhere.  It is also rather challenging to sleep at my in-laws' house, although I am grateful that they were willing to attend Mass last evening so that we were able to sleep in both yesterday and today.

My mother-in-law had surgery almost three weeks ago on her shoulder nearly three weeks ago.  Andrew was over there last week to help with a few household chores, and we went over for the weekend.  It was a nice visit and we took advantage of the lack of sales tax on clothing.  We were able to save some money, and with the exception of some shoes, all of the kids are just about ready to begin school.

This week, we have six cross country practices, four doctor appointments, three band practices, five football practices, three days of work for Robert, at least one, if not two, days of work for me, three cook outs, two meetings, an overnight visit, and who knows what else along the way.  It seems so crazy already, but this Friday evening we have nothing on our calendar.  I am hoping to soak up a bit more family time before the school year kicks into full gear...in just ten days for Robert!

Things start to heat up

This actually isn't about the temperatures...they have already been PLENTY hot.  Fortunately, I've been able to stay indoors most of this weekend so it hasn't been awful.

Nope, I'm talking about our schedules heating up.  Robert is at his first cross country practice this morning.  This week is still informal, next week is the official beginning.  Andrew begins football conditioning this evening and has it three days this week.  Next week practices begin every day.  Catherine is back to three times a week of band practice, and of course I still need to get a few hours in at the office and Robert works as well.  We did manage to keep this weekend completely clear and we are headed to visit my in-laws for our last trip of the summer.

While I do at times dread the hectic schedule, I am beginning to look forward to the routine.  While we have had lots of fun this summer, I've missed our dinners at the table (not sure this fall is going to allow for much of that either) as well as our bedtime routines.  I'm looking forward to the coziness of fall and winter, although I wouldn't mind getting to sleep in more!

Robert begins school in just 2-1/2 weeks.  Holding onto summer while we can!

Most improved x2

Tonight, I was astounded that the most improved swimmers in two categories live in our house.  I thought that Robert had a shot at earning it.  He had never participated in swimming before, and he's decently competitive by this end of season.  As strong as he is, he could be decent if he'd really work at it.  I'm a little concerned about the time commitment for the winter, but I'm pleased that he's excited.  I was stunned however, when Catherine also won.  Personally, I had been disappointed in her lack of improvement this year compared to last year, but I guess the coaches saw things that we didn't.  I'm a proud Mom!  I think Thomas was a little disappointed that he didn't win the award for his age group after he showed so much improvement this week.  The award is decided a week earlier though, and although he did improve a lot, I understood that others did as well.  Ultimately, he was just excited that he got to hang out at the pool after the awards so all is well.

I'm grateful that swimming has been such a positive experience for the kids.  And more than anything, I'm grateful to be their mom!