Week in My Life 2014, Wednesday

Welcome to Week in My Life! Scroll on down to the bottom for today’s linky!

Today I saw an old friend, found heaven on Earth in a styrofoam cup and had an unexpected, but blessed, ending to the day.

Let’s get started.

Bad sleeping night for sweet G. This cold is no fun, but perhaps the corner is just ahead. She had her six-month well check this morning, so Scott took care of getting Luke to carpool, while I set off to the doctor’s office. Dr. E has been with our family for 11 years. She’s known me since I had one baby. What!? To say we adore her is a grave understatement. We had a bet going from the 4 month visit (we were betting on the debut of teeth) and I’m happy to report that I WON that bet. No teeth in sight. She now owes me a Dr Pepper at the nine month visit. Gotta love a doctor who is also your friend and supports your 23 flavors habit. As we walked out of the doctor’s office I ran into one of my sweetest friends on the planet and her daughter. We met 11 years ago on a soccer field. Funny how life comes full circle. Kelley, so fabulous to see you and Lucy!

On our way home, I could tell that a morning nap wasn’t happening, so I just embraced it. Instead of going home, trying for a nap and feeling frustrated, I decided to knock out a few errands. And, true to my motherhood intuition, halfway through the errands, Gianna fell fast asleep. I ended up doing a few drive-thru errands and even discovered THE most amazing hot chocolate. Next time you spot a Dunkin Donuts, get thyself a salted caramel hot chocolate. You’re welcome. Those of you on the gram, caught that peek. After a quick lunch, I got Gianna down for a nap and knocked out some client work. Because of a schedule change, I didn’t do carpool this afternoon and it turned out to be a huge blessing. So much client work is piling up in my inbox and it could not come at a better time. Those medical bills just keep coming.

Prematurity, the gift that just keeps on giving.

Luke arrived home and went down for a nap and then my afternoon sitter arrived and I headed up to the school for another yearbook class. This time with the eighth graders. They’re a delightful bunch and it reminded me just how much I love being back in the classroom. It’s been 16 years since I was a graduate teaching assistant at Iowa State!

Then it was carline and home for our usual afternoon gig of homework and dinner prep. Amazingly, the kids worked so well together on homework tonight. A stark difference from earlier in the week. Scott worked late tonight, so I flew solo. Around 4:45, the wall hit. I had just fed Gianna, so I set her in the Bumbo, planted Anna-Laura in front of her to read a book and I crashed on the couch for about 20 minutes.

Oh, how I needed that power nap. Scott called on his way to a late meeting and I sent Will to the kitchen to do dinner prep. Bonus of having a cooking middle schooler in the house! While he served as my sous chef, I sent three to shower while I knocked out some emails and client work.

Dinner went mostly well until one sibling yelled at another and then it snowballed. I will tell you that one of my kids is really, really testing my patience these days. I also think it’s a test of love. Of loving that child through some really difficult and challenging things. We will get there and I think we’ll all come out on the other side. As my friend Susan says, I’m praying God fills in the cracks where I fail and fall short as a mom. Speaking of that sweet friend, my kids providentially pulled out their family’s card from our pile. It was an honor to pray for them tonight. It was as if Susan was sitting at my kitchen table, high-fiving me and rooting me on.

As providence would have it, I had just finished nursing Gianna for a pre-bedtime snack when Scott called. He was getting home earlier than expected and told me to leave the kids in Will’s capable hands and head up to the school for a very special guest speaker.

Sr. Maria Fatima’s talk tonight was on preparing our hearts for Advent. On slowing down. Being present. Making time to listen to God. Wow, when the Holy Spirit wants to get your attention, He uses PowerPoint and a Sister. Well played, God. That hour was such a gift today. I came home to a VERY hungry baby, a mostly quiet house and a husband who had the fireplace roaring.

Wednesday, you were good to me. Tomorrow, the rumor is there are knives and scalpels on the horizon. Bring it.

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