Today

And just like that...it's today.  There is too much to write about Scott's wound and recovery and the ongoing issues with diabetes, but I finally got back on this blog to write today.  I'm hoping to make it on here more often (dare I say it...once a week?)

Here's a snapshot of our lives, from today:

I've learned that if the girls are going to keep playing violin, that I've got to scale my own perfectionism down a notch.  Instead of being an attentive-suzuki-parent while they are practicing, it is now a rule that I have to fold laundry during practice sessions.  This way, I can help our the girls, though not over-correct them.  This rule came about because of a practice session where I didn't have any laundry to fold, and let's just say that neither I nor Noel was happy by the end of that 30 minutes.  So...the rule stands...folding laundry must happen during violin practicing.  This way, the girls still progress, but more important:  we have a good relationship.  This last week, I've folded laundry everyday, and at the end of each practice session, Noel has given me a hug (on her own, I might add), and says "Thanks mom, I love you."   Violin= going well.  Mother-Daughter relationship = going very well.  Belief that I can be a mom in my own way = growing. 

Juliet learned how to do boondoggle.  She would have been happy to sit on the couch all day today and do it, but she also had to play with Chaim and practice violin.  She is my little Engineer, and she is so good with thinking through problems and manipulating things with her fine motor skills.  She's still my tender spirit, and I love that about her.  Last week, we watched President Monson's funeral (she was home sick because of having strep).  She cried throughout it, because she was so overcome by her own emotions.  I have also been extremely sad with his passing, but I also realized that for Juliet, President Monson is the only prophet she has known.  For her, there has not been any other prophet, and she felt the loss acutely.  I was able to hold her, cry with her, and tell her that it's okay to cry when someone dies--it's okay to feel sad inside.  That was what I needed too--someone to simply cry with, and not be ashamed of the sadness.  I love that I have my girls to snuggle with, cry with, and simply experience all these emotions with! 

Oh, Chaim!  I'll just write about one thing.  I love that Chaim is "all boy".  He loves his animals, and dinosaurs, and star wars, and trucks and planes and things that go!  Before dinner tonight, he pulled out all of his trucks, one by one, to the front room, and was creating some sort of truck-drama that only he understood.  He will also set up his Star Wars figures, and have them talk to each other if the girls are at school and he has to play alone.  I absolutely love watching him at times like this, because he is the only one of my 3 kids that has done this.  Since the girls have always had each other, they never played with dolls like that.  Chaim will, and it's adorable to watch!  He will set them up, have them speak to each other, and act things out, and it is wonderful to watch!  Now, if we could just get through the crying spells, we'd be there!

Scott--Scott graduated in December!  It was a day we had looked forward to for so long...and then it happened!  I was elated on the actual day, a little in disbelief that we'd finally arrived...especially considering all the health issues of the past 6 months.  To be honest, back in August, I really didn't think Scott should go back to school.  He was adamant about finishing in December, and so, he went back!  It was a crazy 4 months--as his health appointments continued (I mean really--he had to take a week off school to have a surgery to close up the wound!).  But somehow, he did it.  Now, he is starting to look for jobs, and we are hopeful that he will begin his own career in a field he enjoys.  I'm so proud of him.

Which connects to me...since Scott was in school full-time for the fall, and is now looking for a job, I'm working more.  It's not full-time, but it is 25 hours / week (which feels about as full as it can!).  I can only tackle one week at a time, because anything more than that is just too much!  By the time I get to Saturday, I'm exhausted, the house is a wreck, and I only want to eat pizza and watch movies.  Yesterday (Saturday), I did nothing because I woke up and my throat hurt so badly.  I rested all day, and then I rested again today.  I feel fine again tonight--but that's because I've literally done nothing for the past 2 days.  Not sure how to handle the next week, except to pray harder and work smarter.  Gonna try to get to bed before 10 p.m., so that I get 8 hours of sleep every night.  And yes, I need to exercise and eat well--but I know that can only work if I'm first getting a good amount of sleep.

Well, that's it.  That's my life, today.  And tomorrow will soon be my today, so I've gotta stop typing and go to sleep.  Until next week (because yes, I'll be back sooner than 6 months:-).