Big breath in. Hold. Hold longer...
EXHALE.
My sister and I have this inside joke/piece of wisdom whenever the other of us is freaking out. "Don't forget to breath OUT!" (Since we are so good at breathing IN and IN and IN when things are stressful.)
Waiting until "life calms down" is only an illusion, I've concluded. Being at level 10 is kinda normal around here. I need a new point system, where 10 is normal so there is room for when it gets crazy busy compared to level 10. And it happens, a LOT. Like level 15-ish.
Take for instance last night.
Viola lesson after school. Band Practice after school. 5 kids chores and homework.
Run to Costco.
Slap dinner together as older boys leave for YM activity.
30 minutes later, Jessica leaves for YW activity and Michael goes to a Court of Honor.
I'm packing the car to go to Aubrey's soccer game across town. I send Alex with Michael so I won't lose him at the playground during the game.
Bishopric mtg. follows the Court of Honor. Which is followed by a rollout for work at 9:30. Benson needs help on pre-calc with Dad and the girls and I had practicing to do on harp and viola.
And does anybody remember how much work it can take to get younger kids to bed?
Twitch.
It was a light night considering there wasn't any orchestra, Benson didn't have work, Josh didn't have lifeguard training, and we finished editing a big DVD project. And it's not the first of the school year or Christmas, so hey.
And this phase of life will pass like a blur.
I will miss it someday.
I might even be bored someday.
But I am centering myself, wind blowing aside. Breathing in. AND breathing out. I am being stretched to new capacity. My limits are being tested and pushed and expanded and I can see more clearly which priorities matter.
I don't always get a shower. Or caught up on the laundry. And those boxes in the basement remain unorganized since we moved in 3 years ago. But--
I chose this life.
I love my life.
I might change a few things, but I'm not doing too shabby.
Self pep-talks rock.
8 comments:
Life is good!
Oh...rich Sister Rice. Breathing out is something I ALWAYS forget!! And here I was thinking you were going to blog about your upcoming film debut as that special character we've all grown to love!!
Here's my new mantra and I repeat it often: "Come what may and love it." People tell me that one day I'll look back and miss these busy days. I don't know if I believe them.
You are amazing! And it does get calmer--a lot calmer. I do appreciate the slower pace and less physical stress, but I don't love having my kids all over the country and world for that matter. Love them while you've got them still with you. And definitely keep breathing.
I love you Emily.
Love it Emily! I'll have to tell myself to breath out too. It's funny how I used to think I was so busy. I cringe remembering once while living in Wymount that I actually said that I was just as busy as anyone else. Man, have I eaten my words once or twice or a gazillion million times. I guess I've realized that this is the new normal now. You just can't number it anymore, right? :)
Tell me when you have a house in your neighborhood for me to buy! It would be awesome to be busy with you as a neighbor!
I am exhausted just reading all you do:) You are an amazing mom!! Just keep breathing.
Sending oxygen from VT (I think we have more here :) You're a great Mom! Now go fold that laundry! (Hahaha)
Well my dear, all I can say is I tried to warn you. Oh, and I can also say that you're STILL not at full speed yet. You're just gearing up. BUCK UP BABY! and BUCKLE UP BABY! You ain't done yet!! Next year you will BEGIN to be "in the fire pit". I'm just sayin'....
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