One Step Report #32
It’s Sunday night. The house is, at last, quieting as one child after another nods off to sleep. My efforts to anticipate the school schedule and get them to bed earlier were largely a waste of time. They spent the next hour sneaking around.
Some weeks are easier to end than others. I wanted this week to last longer. Because my children attend a school outside our local school district, we sometimes end up on a slightly different schedule, which is exactly what’s about to hit us. We start school on Tuesday, so this week marked the end of our summer. If it weren’t for the big ugly ball of stress I already feel in my stomach, I’d say I’m in denial. I hate sending my children back to school. I miss them, and I miss the freedom of summer. I hate to see it end.
This week’s report: 89 steps.
Highlights:
1. On my baby’s first birthday I gave myself a break from housework and spent as much time as possible playing with her. We made some special memories together.
2. I got a lot of what I call secretarial work done this week: scheduling piano lessons for the new school year, figuring out our new gymnastics schedule, doctor appointments, etc. Not fun, but necessary.
3. I went to a new dentist this week when a piece of my tooth chipped off. My last experience at a dentist’s office wasn’t a good one. I’d try to describe how much courage it took for me to go back, but you probably wouldn’t believe me. So I summoned the courage to go, and only cried twice. What’s more, I actually liked this dentist. He even called me about 8 hours later to make sure that I was feeling well!
4. You could say that this was Playmobil week in our home. In a final celebration of abandoning yourself to imagination, I let the kids play in their bedrooms, the hallway, even the basement (usually they’re restricted to the toy room). Believe me when I say they were all over the place.
5. I had the opportunity to attend a great presentation by LDS Family Services on Strengthening Marriages. It was motivating, informational, and made me so very grateful for my happy, healthy marriage.
6. As a result of some insights I had while attending the above meeting, I had one of the best conversations I’ve had in a long time with my 13 year old son. He is a remarkable young man in many ways. I learn a great deal from him.
7. I enjoyed watching my oldest daughter this week. She is suddenly maturing so quickly, shouldering responsibilities, making plans, and leading out in new ways. Her two year old sister worships her, and it’s been fun this week to watch her bond more with her baby sister as well.
8. I burned dinner. I haven’t done that in many years. I was so frustrated with myself that I felt tempted to cry, but resisted.
9. I had several things I needed to begin researching this week. I’m so thankful for the wealth of information available online!
10. Tonight my husband and I attended an open house for our good friends who are moving away. I am happy for them, but so sad for me. I’m not ready to say good-bye.
With that, I’m off to get some sleep before facing the coming week. It’s going to be a grueling one.
I hope yours is relaxing!
Jennifer