Playing Catch Up

We've all done the same song and dance ~ put off things because life got in the way. There's something better to do, something else to clean up, someone else to call or see, the To Do list has grown a thousand miles long and "overwhelmed" doesn't quite cut it anymore. Of course this is how the blog got stuck at the bottom of the priority pile, but also, it's been a lack of sleep and a lack of drive.

I have days where I feel like a freight train; unstoppable, unbeatable, and unforgivable and then I have days where I feel like I've been hit by the freight train. Ever since vacation ended, I've had a lot of head-on collisions with that freight train, resulting in "train wreck" days. I haven't caught up on sleep, the house never seems clean enough, errands are endless, laundry is breeding, and I feel like all of our "stuff" is slowly suffocating my space and there isn't any time to make a date with Goodwill. In simpler terms, having three jobs is REALLY hard.

Growing up, I was at peace and content sitting amid disaster quietly reading books or sketching, but now, I can't stand it and not being at home has quickly become my "go-to" resolution. If I don't have the time {or motivation} to do something right the first time ~ thoroughly, perfectly, exactly ~ then I just don't do it. Eventually, I'll get around to it, but in the meantime, I'm left in an Overwhelemed Me vs. My OCD battle. Looking at the bright side, I'm a winner either way!

To catch you up to speed ~

Two weeks ago, we had a fabulous California vacation with my parents complete with a pirate show, real live sea dragons, and the kids first trip to Disneyland! School resumed with parent/teacher conference week, followed by a birthday.

There's eight year old in my house now. Eight years ago today, I had a newborn in the NICU and I was sleeping on the floor of the hospital lobby, not really sleeping at all, but instead worrying about my brand new baby girl and watching terrible late night television on one of 14 channels the hospital offered. We've come a long way since then. I worry about different stuff, she rides her bike without training wheels, and we all sleep through the night.

To my sweet baby E,

You necessarily flipped my world upside down creating new perspectives, new desires, and new love along the way. You are the sole reason I purchase headbands by the thousands and fear the year 2018. I love your snaggletooth smile and the freckles that dance across your nose. May you always sing loudly, read with animation, and listen to your mother; whose middle name ain't Awesome for no reason! You're the reason I perfected cajun shrimp and get presents on Mother's Day {both are completely necessary to happy sustainability}.
Happy Birthday, my darling.
I love you,
Mama

This weekend is sure to be filled with costumes, friends, laughter, and pillaging my kids candy bags. May you all have a sweet, autumny weekend. Happy Halloweenies!