Thursday, September 29, 2011

A Jersey Day

Oh boy what a difference a day makes. Just the other night Randall and I were having a very serious discussion about whether we would consider staying here forever. The concenses was that we really would if it weren't for just one teensy little thing like the cost of a home around here, oh and then the taxes on top of that. Anyway, we were happily discussing all the little things that we love about living here and how much even the things that we found difficult in the beginning are now just quite "normal".

But then today I had what I very lovingly refer to as "A Jersey Day". I'm just minding my own business and suddenly I found myself almost face to face with a very upset and very rude woman in a parking lot that left me almost in tears after the little altercation. I just can't believe how quickly people can be so rude. And then it just seems to be in my cards that the rest of the day I continued to have these little "Jersey" incidents. I even called Randall trying to catch him before he was on his plane today completely upset saying "Let's move to Georgia, I hate New Jersey."

Randall called from the airport early this evening to tell me he had bought me a gift. He said I had to guess what it was and since he was on a layover in Detroit I guessed almost immediately that he had bought me a new University of Michigan sweatshirt, since I had finally gotten rid of mine that I've had since my college days oh just 10 years ago. I was so excited. He just walked in the door and handed it to me to try on, and to add insult to injury... it's too small! I think it's time for bed. Tomorrow is another day...in Jersey.

Shirts vs Skins

The other night Ethan was getting ready for soccer practice when he turns to me and says "Mom, I sure hope they do shirts and skins tonight, and I hope I get to be skins." Of course somewhat giggling I ask him, "Why?" "Cause it makes me feel so tough!"

Thanks Ethan, I needed that.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

I admit it, I was wrong

When Summer was coming to a close, all my friends were so sad to sad goodbye to lazy days and the craziness of Summer.  I kept thinking, "what are they talking about, this summer has been non stop crazy!"  But, then school started, and my kids are older this year, and boy what a difference a year makes.  We have more activities, more homework, more errands, and more drop offs.  I feel a bit crazy. So I admit it, I was wrong, the school year is crazy!

The first week I prided myself on the well oiled machine we had running around here.  I would awaken before all the kids and shower and be ready when they awakened so we could have a good breakfast and not be rushed to get out the door.  I walked the kids to school and and back each day.  While the kids were away I did laundry and cleaned house and it stayed done for awhile and I loved it.  Dinner was done everyday by 3pm and I felt like "I totally got this."  Then I don't know what happend but somehow the Leave it to Beaver days are over and while things aren't totally out of control I just feel like I am constantly running, and my laundry gets done and folded but not put away, or dinner gets left to the last minutes during the hardest hour of the day when Jane wants attention, and the kids needs help with homework or practicing and I just want to scream, and scream I have.

I also pride myself on the fact that I am NOT a yeller.  But the last week I'm ashamed to say that there has been quite a bit of yelling.  There probably would have been more yelling except for the fact that we share a wall with our neighbors and that does inhibit me somewhat, thank heavens :)  I think part of this sudden craziness is that the kids are tired and adjusting to all the busyness themselves, which means there is a lot more crying on they're part and more tantrums and me getting impatient.  I have consumed more M&M's in the last week than probably over my lifetime (ok, so that was a bit of an exaggeration, but only a bit) 

I'm hoping things settle down and I am doing my best to say "No" to certain things like when the PTO comes calling for help or Anna wants to join "The daisies" girl scout troop.  I did sign up to do a few crafts for holidays at the kids school so I think that's plenty for now.

Anyway, I am just feeling a bit ornery and sadly this is my update.  I am so far behind in all that I need and want to post but it is what it is and one of these days I will get to it. But not for now, and that's okay.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

It's Coming...School time that is

I'm overwhelmed with different emotions as the kids prepare to start school in just 3 days...gasp. While there were a few days last week that I couldn't wait for that day to come, now it's practically here and I can hardly believe it. We have had a great summer filled with many fun and busy things. The time has literally passed faster than I ever could have imagined. Last summer was the LONGEST summer of my life. It probably had something to do with the fact that we had just moved here, I had a brand new baby, we didn't join the local pool, and I didn't know anybody or anywhere to go, AND we had almost an extra month of summer since Utah gets out of school so early and they start so late here. This year however there was always something to do or see or someone here visiting us. I have a list of things that we did that I want to blog about, and yet don't even know when I will get the time to sit down to unload my camera full of pictures.

Things are are only going to continue to be busy. Ethan will have soccer on Tuesday and Saturdays, Anna gymnastics on Thursdays, Ethan and Anna both have piano on Wednesdays and all sort of meetings and baby showers and RS activities all of which I'm in charge of to keep us going full stream ahead.

I'm looking forward to some time to de-junk from all the summer accumulation, deep clean, and get organized. The thing I am excited for the most is having things once cleaned to actually stay that way without 4 kids and their whirlwind to mess it up the second it's been completed. Although I have to say that Kate is our biggest mess maker as of late. She is very into building forts and "traps", using anything she can find to basically make just a huge pile of junk. Then of course when she is asked to clean it up, she replies "I'm too young, or it's too heavy" or a smattering of other excuses. Oh, and I already forgot that Kate will start school too on Friday. She will go to school 3 mornings a week. I think she's ready and will love it and I'm sure once she starts I will love the time I have with just Jane to get things done. The thought of leaving her for those hours a week right now makes me a wee bit sick. Not in a I don't think this is a right kind of way, but a how is it possible that she is 4 and going to school? Next year she will start Kindergarten and go ALL DAY! That thought almost breaks my heart and yet I think she will do fine and enjoy it. Included in her preschool is an activity each day. Monday she does dance, Tuesday she has a swimming lesson, and Friday she has gym and fitness. I'm anxious to see how she takes to all of these new experiences. I think she will be one tired cookie come night time.

This time of year is also one of the busiest with my calling. I am over the activities in Relief Society as well as the 6 weekly groups that we have. I have great group leaders but I kind of have to get everything organized and up and running. We also have a RS quarterly activity next week and I only have 1 committee member and she was just called to be the VT coordinator so is busy herself so basically the activity is all on me. It's all good and it's nothing too hard it just adds to my now already full plate. The good news is I'm learning to lower my expectations and to delegate. Our ward is great and people are always willing to help if you just ask. I'm just trying to keep this all in mind as I go to back to school and don't accidentally over commit myself to helping in my kids classrooms. There's a time and a season right?

I'm anxious for this next phase and hope it's a smooth transition. Randall gave all the kids and myself our "Back to school" blessings this afternoon and that was nice. I don't think the kids realize what a big deal that is. We tried to help them understand what a blessing it is that they have a Father in the home that not only loves them, but holds and is worthy to use his Priesthood to bless them whenever then need. I still remember receiving a father's blessing before school each year and think it is a very sweet and important tradition. We'll see how the week goes. Wish us luck!