{November 9-15th}
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| Paint by number on my phone is a great stress reliever |
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| Carly's birthmark- an angel kiss, I call it |
Prepping... for the week ahead with chores and a bath for Carly.
Hanging... with his brother & nephews for Josh on Sunday afternoon while they drive their RC cars. It makes me happy that they get together and are all friends.
Sending... Wyatt to the doctor to get his ADHD meds refilled with Josh and to have his annual well child check. He is in good health, and the three of them (Josh, Wyatt and his doctor) decided to have Wyatt try a little bit higher dose of his morning ADHD medication. As soon as the refill was ready he gave it a try, and he said it makes a huge difference. I am so proud of him for being open to trying it and so happy that it's working. I wish I could experience a day in his or any of my kids' brains. To see what it's like to live with ADHD; to see what it's like to be color blind (like the twins); and to see what it's like to take meds for ADHD.
Subbing... in fifth grade for the day and enjoying my time in there. The kids were great, and it was fun to be at Carly's school. I love her and her little group of friends, not to mention her school staff, so much! I also got to sub in third grade this week, which I love. They're kids I've subbed with for all of their four years and I adore them.
Buying... candles and cake decorations with Carly for my birthday next week. 43. It doesn't feel possible.
Enjoying... Veterans Day off of school, even though it felt strange to have a random Tuesday off, and getting so relaxed that I completely forgot I had book club. Haha! Thankfully my friend Christi messaged she was on her way and I was able to grab my purse and make it. I always enjoy time with those ladies and I am so grateful for their unconditional love and support.
Breathing... crying, pleading, praying and breaking down over parenting. Damn if it all ain't heavy. But as hard as it is, and as exhausted as I am, there is nowhere I would want my children other than under my roof. Every night that I fall asleep with the four of them tucked snug in their beds is a night I sleep deep and wake up grateful. And that's the truth.
Suffering... migraines six out of seven days this week and I am so tired. It got so bad I was even worried one night about serotonin syndrome (something that can happen when you take migraine meds along with anti-depressants too much) and was texting my mom and sister in a panicked state as I was trying to go to bed. I am hopeful that they get lost next week.
Stretching... my thighs after getting two terrible back-to-back charley horses, which hasn't happened to me in a long time, and usually only in my calves or feet. They were so painful!
Feeling... grateful for my twice monthly massage as it couldn't have come at a better time. She worked my head, neck & shoulders and I was so much more relaxed when I left.
Cleaning... When I am stressed and there's so much I cannot control, I find that lately I turn to controlling the environment. This week that meant spending a morning cleaning Wyatt's room top to bottom after dropping Carly off at school. It felt good to do it, and Wyatt was so grateful.
Baking... is another way that I do what I can when I can't control things. Plus it helps me stretch the groceries. This week I made zucchini bread with chocolate chips from zucchini I had frozen in the freezer and no bake cookies. The kids were delighted.
Wondering... if it ever gets easier to wake your kids. The twins are seventeen and I still hate waking them up. And if I have to wake Carly it feels even worse. There is just something about waking your sleeping babes that never feels right after years of wishing they would sleep.
Giving... Carly a manicure with some fake nails she bought, and remembering that feeling of wearing fake nails when I was younger. Oh how fun to be a little girl!
Capturing... the sunset with Carly on the way home one afternoon. All those colors!!!
Loving... that Josh is carrying on the tradition of reading Harry Potter with Carly. First he read it to the boys, and now he's doing it with her. They have finished the first and second book, and have watched the first movie. Carly is obsessed. It's so cute. She is personally offended that I haven't read them. Hah!
Happy... to open my new crockpot ($40 from Walmart!) that Josh suggested I order for Thanksgiving so we could make our cream corn recipe and not have to do it in our giant air fryer that doubles as a crockpot. The best part is that this one has a lid that secures, which is great for travel.
Sending... Josh to Spokane with my brother-in-law to have some bro time and help Blake's dad build a fence. I am so happy for him to have some time away. Life has been life-ing as you know, and sometimes it's just nice to get away from it all.
Seeing... some progress on Carly's vanity thanks to Jack's efforts. She's going to absolutely LOVE this!
Obsessed... with Carly's writing. After her parent/teacher conference, her binder came home and I read two of her recent Cranberry
Letting... Carly sleep in our bed with me on Saturday night. It reminded me of the times when Josh would go out of town when we lived in the village the boys would take turns doing "special night" with me- having a treat and then sleeping in my bed. And now our baby girl is doing it.
The days are long, but the years are short.
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| I think I am also a warm autumn |
