facebook

The last couple of days have been great.  Or so one would believe from facebook...and they have been, but I have realized over the last several months that blogging is so important to me.  And I haven't in a long long time.  Blogging gives me to opportunity to share my thoughts and the realities of our lives to those who care to read or take a look.  Facebook tells part of the story but I have had so many friends say, after hearing about struggles I have had  lately or silly stories I have told them, "but your life looks so perfect on facebook!" So,  here are some pictures of some great times I have shared on facebook and here is my opportunity to share the stories behind the pictures. 

 Madeline's Fall break started Thursday- well, actually Friday- but they were just supposed to have a half day Thursday and we got a great report from her first grade teacher on Wednesday afternoon so I decided to give her an extra day off.  I LOVE having the kids home in the mornings.  We stay in our pajamas all morning and they actually play together lately, sometimes nicely, and we watch cartoons.  At about 10 Thursday morning I told them that if they would play nice while I got my "morning chores" and work done that I would take them to Chuck E Cheese.  They were excited but as soon as I suggested it I honestly thought- WHY did you just say that out loud??

 We got to CEC around noon and because it was a random Thursday the place was practically empty.  It was awesome.  The kids were good.  We ate too much pizza and we headed home.

 I have these clients...clients that I love and that I am excited to have move to our town...but they are clients that I have not been able to find a house for yet.  I try so hard to plan for things and to try to have all of my work homework done (even if it's at 2 am) so that I can carve out time with the kids.  But it never seems to work out the way I need it to.  I had planned with the other mommies at Madeline's school to go with them to take the kids to the Peabody to see the ducks, the Peabody playground, the River Market for lunch, and a trolley ride.  We did all of that but I was tense the whole time because my clients were trying to make their decision about a house and I needed to get home as soon as I could to write an offer for them.  But off we went anyway and I put everything on hold for a few hours.

 Ha! This is funny to me...we made it to the Peabody JUST in time but I promise you it was not easy!  I had bought Madeline some fall clothes that I had not tried on her yet and her pants were a bit too long and her shoes were a size too big.  But she was determined to wear both.  I begged her to at least change shoes but she promised me she would be fine.  I carried that 60 lb. kid at full speed through the lobby to get to the duck fountain on time.  And the rest of the day walked 20 feet behind the rest of our friends and mommies to hold Madeline's hand because her shoes were too big and difficult to walk in.  I had ALMOST packed her tennis shoes just in case.  But I didn't.  I promise you I kept thinking about going into one of the expensive downtown boutiques to buy her some shoes...I didn't care how much they would cost...but I knew her daddy WOULD care so I didn't.  We just did the best we could.

 We watched the ducks march in then went upstairs in the glass elevator to see their apartment.

 The girls- Madeline, Malia, and Paige.

 7 kids under 7.  They were awesome though.  I was with some pretty laid back moms.  None of us are type A and we all kind of keep a close eye on the kids but not too close...the kids had the opportunity to run and yell and play.  Tyler and I call it "free range" days.  Where they can be in an environment that allows some freedom but it's controlled enough to keep them safe.  There are 3 of us with 6 year old girls and 3 year old boys.  And our other friend has the 6 year old boy who is precious and loves the girls.  They're great kids. 

 Tucker reading the map on the trolley- the highlight of his day was the trolley ride.  All the kids had a chance to ring the bell.  And we had a great driver.  He would go really fast and lift his arms up and yell like we were on a roller coaster.

 Madeline had rolled up her pants and managed to stay in her shoes for the rest of the day.  We moved slowly so her shoes didn't fall off but we made it!

 I had to cut the good times short because I needed to get back home for my clients...mommy guilt.  But the kids were ready for some down time.  We came home and I worked for about an hour and a half before we had to turn around and head back into town for Madeline's dance lessons.  I was TIRED by this time and it was raining.  I just wanted to be home snuggling with them and I think they both felt the same.  But off we went, our friends Chloe and Luke would be there because Chloe is trying out the studio this week. 

I need a camera on me at all times with Tucker but especially in the late afternoons if he hasn't had a nap and especially if you get him together with Luke.  Rebekah and I thought the boys would be fine to play together at the studio.  They had a DVD player, bean bags, coloring sheets and colors...enough entertainment for two boys...right? Wrong.

Tucker had asked what was inside the bean bags at the dance studio.  I told him beans.  He said, "I wanna eat those jelly beans Mamma!" I should have known what would happen next. The boys opened up the bean bags, twice. Rebekah and I cleaned up the "beans", twice.  Then we re-directed them to the crayons.  They drew on the table.  Rebekah and I tried to clean it but she and Luke had to go out to get magic erasers.

After dance and the hilarity of Luke and Tucker I was exhausted.  I love my kids, I do, but I was ready for a break.  Desperate to get home and stuck in traffic for 20 minutes before even getting on the backed up river bridge.  I gave up and took the kids to drive through Wendy's hoping traffic would thin enough to get home or that if it had not that at least they would have food to eat and it we would be stuck in traffic quietly. I called Tyler to tell him that we were on our way and to please be prepared to take over the care of the children.  That I needed a moment.  Or two. To decompress. I knew he had some kind of project going on here at home but I was certain that my needs were way more important that whatever he has doing.  He was repairing the drywall on several of our walls were we have holes or dents.  A job I have wanted done for a long time but there never seems to be the time or money to do it.  And I have been annoyed with Tyler for not getting it done. Or doing it himself. 

This morning it hit me.  Once again, I got overwhelmed- by my own doing- and turned to Tyler to take over.  Because I know he can.  Whenever I feel weak and my nerves are shot Tyler is a rock.  Big broad shoulders and a level head to just step in steady and calmly take over.  Never any rocky waters, just smooth sailing.  I got to go to the grocery store by myself and listen to a radio program.  But Tyler had to put off work that I have griped at him about for months.  But that's probably why it hadn't been done before--there is always something that I need of Tyler and he is always there.  So thanks babe.

Tyler and I had a rocky patch this year.  You would have never known it from facebook though.  But here we are with a seven year anniversary behind us and I am so looking forward to year 8.  Life these days is pretty good.  Almost just as good as it appears to be on facebook. :-)