It's been a big year. So busy that I've neglected my blog, rung by rung it has slipped down the ladder of priorities. Last Sunday, my Dad invited us to listen to him speak in church on Mother's day. To my shock, and total panic, part of his talk consisted of one of my blog posts. While he was reading, I saw some of the moms jabbing their kids, pointing and laughing at each other, like they knew EXACTLY what I was talking about because they live it too. Every day in the trenches of nose wiping, shoe tying, laundry folding, field trip-going--reality. They get it.
I realized those memories of that particular day in motherhood would've slipped my mind forever if I hadn't written it down. So I was inspired to write again. To keep going. To make writing a priority again, even if no one reads it, or if its just a few lines or paragraphs. As my mom always said, "this too shall pass", and good or bad, I don't want to miss it.
Today was eventful, we just got home from a four day weekend in Sacramento to see my in-laws who are serving as mission presidents (I say presidentS because it is in every way, a team effort :) I started unpacking all the suit cases, sorting laundry that piled up into six ginormous mounds. I stood back to marvel at the site. I got the kids to school after packing lunches and helping Isaac complete some last minute homework. I started the laundry, got myself ready and headed out the door with Isabella to go with Isaac's class on a walking field trip to the park. The fun ensued-- kick ball, duck duck goose, and of course twenty five ways to entertain kids with a parachute. None of which involved tossing them out of a plane.
We sat down to have our picnic lunch together, Bella and Isaac were soon playing on the playground with the other kids after taking only 5 bites... and I found myself sitting alone, wondering if it even mattered to him if I came or not. All I could think about was the first measly load of laundry all wet and ready to be put in the dryer, mildew infesting it moment by moment. I need to get home.
I'll spare you the details of the rest of the day... it included more laundry and dropping off a kid here and two kids there... then going back to pick up this kid so we could get to the ball game. We eventually all ended up at the ball park. A place where we come together at the end of the day. Our team lost to the team in last place... and by last place, I mean dead last. The team that had never won a game, beat us. It was humbling. The other team and their parents were shouting and celebrating like they had just won the World Series. I watched my boys with their heads hung low, Jackson went and sat alone on the bench and stared at the empty ball field. I sat by him, "But remember how you tagged out that kid at home plate and had 3 hits?" It didn't matter, some kid on the winning team yelled "you suck!"and that's all he could think about. Mason wouldn't look up at me no matter how much I told him how great he did. They're competitors and this loss hurt. This too shall pass...
Myself and several of the parents congratulated the other kids on their win. No one could take it away from them. They earned it. It's true that you learn more from losing than from winning. It forces you to put these games of winning and losing in perspective and realize they're not all that important after all. All that's important is how we treat those who win, and those who lose...which is all of us at one time or another.
We went home, got the kids ready for bed. Isaac decided to make a fort at 9:00 on a school night and make a sign up list for his book club. He came to each of us and asked us to sign up for his book club that would meet every night in his fort. We would each get a complimentary flash light...BONUS!! This kid has vision! Although we all enthusiastically signed up for Isaac's book club it wasn't until 9:30 that we sat down for dinner....
Shane got paged and was off to do two surgeries at two different hospitals. After an already frustrating day at work, I could see the fatigue in his face...sigh. This too shall pass... or will it? Ever?
Book club would have to be postponed.
