A weekend that was good for my soul

We had a very busy weekend.  Last week was so nicely unscheduled, but our weekend was busy, and yet it was so good for my soul and very needed.

Friday evening Thomas had a track meet.  He was only competing in one event, and it wasn't scheduled to begin for a while, so we ventured down to the other end of the stadium to try to find some friends.  We ended up sitting together in a large group, and it was so nice to visit, laugh, and chat with so many other parents.  It was nice to feel involved in our town, and I enjoyed that Andrew, Robert, and Catherine were all sharing it with me.  After Thomas's event we left, and Thomas remained behind so that he could join the team for a pizza party afterwards.

Saturday morning we got up and finished cleaning the house.  Shortly after lunch we left for a nearby community to watch the soccer game of a very dear friend from our former town.  They all came to our house after the game, and we all hung out for hours and hours.  Our kids, and their kids, all have social issues, but they get along together like you just wouldn't believe.  Our other close friends called to let us know they were going to be in town that evening for an event and they came over afterwards as well.  This family is struggling so deeply with a couple of their children and behaviors, and it's causing some medical problems as well.  In fact, the family that was already there has struggled immensely as well, and we all kind of sat there and shared our stories, shared some tears, some laughs, some hugs, and lots of love.

We are so grateful for these friends in our lives who love us, love our kids, and understand without judging, just as we do the same for them.  We are so grateful that even though we chose to move 30 miles away, the miles don't diminish our friendships.  In fact, it helps us to appreciate even more the times that we are able to be together.  I felt so full of gratitude and so refreshed after getting to spend that time with them.

Yesterday we had church and then a meeting following.  We went straight from there to my aunt & uncle's house here in town to help with yard work and other things.  There were several other family members there as well, and it was nice to visit, and it was nice that we were able to accomplish so much.  My aunt is having back surgery in two weeks and I'm glad we can help.

We have four full weeks and then a half week of school left.  I almost feel refreshed enough to make it through!

Marriage is about compromise

In our house, my husband converted from being a Pirates fan to being a Reds fan.  The Pirates had been bad for so long, my husband lived in southwest Ohio, and I like to think that my zealous love and enthusiasm for my favorite team made it impossible for him to think about rooting for anyone else.  I became a Steelers fan.  I wasn't a Bengals fan anyway, and a year after our marriage the Steelers drafted Roethlisberger from my alma mater...easy to become a Steelers fan.  When people ask, we always joke that it happened this way because marriage is about compromise.

In all seriousness though, marriage truly is about compromise.  This week, I'd been missing spending Easter with my own side of the family.  We haven't done so in three years, and I miss being able to do so.  Easter has almost always been with the in-laws.  My family is not religious and my in-laws very much are, so it makes more sense that way.  And I also think about the sacrifices my husband has made.  It's been six years since he has been able to be with his parents on Christmas Day.  We had asked them to come to our house for a couple of years but the last year they didn't seem to really want to be there, and by then my mom's family was beginning to gather again along with my brother-in-law's deteriorating health, and it just made more sense for us to travel there.  However, my husband has always insisted in agreement with me, that our children wake up in their own beds on Christmas morning.  I am so very grateful that we've done that each and every year.

I am so grateful for my husband, and for this life we have together!

First air drying of the season

We've had some nice weather this week.  I would've loved to be able to share a glass of wine with Andrew on the front porch this evening, but I am also enjoying so much quiet time and knowing that Catherine and Robert are so very independent and self-sufficient.  I spent the day scrapbooking, but I also was able to get three loads of laundry finished.  I put up the clothesline, and I'm so glad that I was able to air dry clothes today.  I really love not having to add to our electric bill!

How track is going...

We are several meets into the track season for both boys.  For Thomas, it's a bit of a challenge.  Okay, it's a REALLY big challenge.  He has yet to clear anything in high jump, and our friend who is a former track coach is a little appalled that he is competing in that event.  Honestly, he really has no business doing so.  He is remaining consistent at between 25-30 feet in discus and is disappointed that he isn't improving.  Honestly, it's just not a super fabulous experience so far.  He just isn't our athlete, and that is totally okay.

Robert on the other hand, is having a great deal of success.  We never would've guessed all those years ago watching him NOT run around the base paths that he would have speed.  Of course, one of the things that we know about our school district is that we just aren't athletically competitive.  Robert is competing in the 4x200m relay, and usually in the 4x400m relay.  He is also running the 300m hurdles.  He is on the upper mid part of average in many races, and even better in some others.  I so enjoy hanging out at his meets, and since he does four events at just about every meet, it keeps me busy watching.  He is really enjoying the season!

Day 1 of this year's spring break

This spring break is going to be completely different than any we've had before.  It is so very much needed, but going to be different.  For one thing, Robert has school next week.  Even the one year that he was going to school here while we still lived in our former town it happened to work out that year that the break was the same for both schools.  I also decided that Andrew and Thomas were going to spend part of the week on a trip of history sites.  They will both absolutely love it, and since I don't like cities, it is perfect.  Andrew, Catherine, and Thomas left today for Andrew's parents, and Robert and I will join them tomorrow.  Robert, Catherine, and I will return Sunday and Andrew and Thomas will take off for their mini-trip.  I don't love that for five of the ten nights of this break I won't get to sleep next to my husband.

I am very grateful that for this week there won't be any track practice.  The high school is holding it during the day and obviously Robert won't be able to attend.  I'm grateful not only from a time standpoint, but from the drama standpoint.  Today's phones though, keep everyone in contact almost too much it seems.  Even though Robert doesn't attend the same school as his now ex-girlfriend or her friends, the drama is still there and he can still be reached.  He has made some VERY poor choices in his responses and actions this week, and it's been a very disappointing week.

I'm grateful for the season of Easter and this weekend.  I'm grateful for the reminder of new beginnings, and I'm praying that it touches the heart of all of our family members!

I love the wall

Last October, our family had professional family photographs taken.  It had been 6-1/2 years since we had done so, and even then it was just one pose as part of a larger group.  We made arrangements to have photos taken of all of us, and I am so, so in love with how they turned out.  We purchased a large package of photos, and gave many away as Christmas gifts to various family & friends.  About a month ago, I decided I wanted many of them displayed on the wall, and I went out and purchased several frames.  Andrew got them hung about a week later, and they are all on the wall above the TV in our family room.  I absolutely love looking at them when I'm sitting here.  Because of the laptop we have, I'm able to sit in my favorite spot even when I need to be online, and it brings me so much joy to look at the pictures of my family.  They are almost all of the kids, and there is nothing that brings me greater joy!

It's a really long short week

This is only a four day week, but it feels sooooo much longer.  Monday I worked all day, then went to church and worked some more.  I then went home to change clothes, and dashed off to Thomas's track meet, where we didn't get home until  after 7:00.  Monday is the evening when Andrew teaches his night class and it was nearly 9:00 before he was home.  Yesterday I only worked in the morning at school, but then went to work at church, before dashing home to change clothes.  We had to take Andrew's car to the shop for some repair work and it was 40 minutes away, then I dashed to Robert's track meet.  It was 9:00 before I got home from that.  Today I'm working again all day, then I need to pick Robert up from school and to make it to an appointment before I drop him off at track practice and dash to Thomas' track meet.  I then need to go straight from the meet to my monthly band meeting, then drop my car off for new tires tomorrow.  Tomorrow I'm not currently scheduled, but we'll see what happens with that.  At some point I'm hoping I can retrieve my car (thank goodness for three vehicles!) and then we hope to be able to get Andrew's car, at which point I can dash off to Robert's track meet.  Andrew, Catherine, and Thomas are leaving for PA Friday (Robert and I are heading over on Saturday) which means I need to find time to do laundry at some point.  The end of this all though, will be spring break, and that will be wonderful!

I'm noticing it at school as well.  One of my teacher friends said to me yesterday that she really feels we've just pushed in one week too long.  I'll admit the kids are definitely losing any focus and motivation that may have existed.  I think everyone is going to be so very grateful for this break!